The Choice

New path new loss

I’m in my car, a used faded blue pick up truck that I bought after saving for over a year, and I’m on my way to the Summerset Station but decide I should call Angela and create a cover so I don’t get too many questions from my parents. I pull into a gas station and dig through my purse to find my phone. I call Angela and the phone rings and rings and rings eventually going to voicemail. Huh that’s weird she never not picks up her phone even the middle of the night she picks it up with a grunt by the second ring. I decide to go pay for some gas and grab some snacks figuring when I’m done filling the car I will try her again. I grab a huge soda with the crushed ice I like and a bag of chips and a donut. One savory and one sweet always have to have both! I also have the body of an 18 year old so I can eat whatever I want! I settle back in the car after pumping the gas and take my first bite of a donut in years and as the sweet soft pastry melts in my mouth I can’t stifle the moan that escapes my mouth. This is pure bliss.

After finishing the donut from heaven I try Angela again. Ring…Ring…Ring… and voicemail again. Ok this is weird especially since Angela and I still keep in touch about every 3 months or so we meet for lunch and catch up and she still answers by the second ring. I decide to call the house phone maybe her phone is lost, or she’s in the shower. I dial the house phone and ring… ring… ring.. and then the click of the phone being answered and I hear her mother, “H Hello”

I say “Good morning Mrs. Patrick may I please speak to Angela?” And she begins to sob on the other end, “Mrs. Patrick what’s wrong is Angela ok?”

More sobbing then she says, “oh Lillian dear Angela passed away last night. She went out with one of her brothers friends and they went skinny dipping at night and she drowned. The police don’t know if she was drinking or not but the suspect as much.” I am frozen as a tear slips down my face I begin to compose myself after a minute or two and ask, “Who was this guy?”

She replies “oh his name was Tristan, he came home with her brother after their semester ended to spend a few days then they were going to go on a road trip to Vegas. He is just devastated.” I pause for a minute thinking I know that name Tristan, why do I know that name and then I gasp and realize he was supposed to my blind date, she must have gone when I didn’t show! Mrs. Patrick says “Lillian sweetheart I have to go but feel free to call or come over anytime and I will let you know when the funeral will be held. You have been such a great friend to Angela and like another daughter to me. Please don’t be a stranger.”

I reply in a shaky voice “ of course Mrs. Patrick. I love Angela she is like my sis sister. I will be by soon and I am so sorry.”

I truly was sorry! It was my fault I was supposed to be on that date not find a connection and head home. She must have liked him to stay out later and go to the lake. I cant believe she’s gone. What have I done! I do the only thing I can think of I scream for Celeste. CELESTE!!!