Gurl Next Door by Madison McCall (read the beginning after the end novel .txt) 📗

stationed.  However, I made the best of it, did my time and got out.”

“I think that’s awesome that you were in the Army.  Personally, I think I would be afraid to go in the military.”

“It’s really not that big of a deal.”

“I think you’re just being modest.  Anyway, earlier you were telling me that you want to study Psychology?”

“Yes, I want to get a B.S., and then work on my Doctorate so I can open my own psychology practice one day.”

“So, you would be okay getting up, going to work, and listening to people’s problems every day?” she asked.

“Yes, I think it would be interesting.”

“Better you than me.”

The next thing I knew we had arrived at the road that cut off from the main highway that led up to our houses, and she proceeded up our circular driveaway and stopped in front of our house.

“I can’t thank you enough for the ride,” I said.

“Any time.”

I got out of the car and said, “Thanks again.”

“You bet, and if you ever want to hang out send me a text, I’m just across the lawn.”

“I’ll do it.  See you,” and I closed her car door, gave her a final wave which she returned and then she slowly drove away.

Chapter 9

That night I got online and applied to Midwestern Central State, even though I’d never set foot on campus and the only thing I knew about it was what I’d read on their website.  My motivating factors were that I already knew two people that attended there, Annabelle and Cole.  Secondly, I needed to apply somewhere right now since school would start soon, and I couldn’t wait any longer.

After finishing my online application and submitting it, I looked at the clock and saw that it was about 7:00 p.m. and I was a bit hungry.  Rustling around the kitchen I began to look through the pantry as well as the refrigerator and realized that I should have done a little grocery shopping before I left town, as supplies were running a little low.

To cook or not to cook, that was the question.  I then remembered the local pizza place that delivered food to us a couple of days ago.  Thinking back, it was okay, but not marvelous by any means.  Perhaps, if I had a few beers before it arrived, it would taste much better, which was a trick that I learned in the Army.

All of a sudden, I received a text message from mom saying, I just wanted to check in and see how you were doing

Doing fine mom.  Getting a little hungry and considering my food options, but otherwise fine

Glad to hear it, should be off work in about five hours, hopefully

Mom don’t worry about me I’m okay.  I think you’re just worried about me because I got turned into a girl, I typed.

Well Dana, you have to admit, that does not happen every day

Looking up and the ceiling and then back down I replied, you are absolutely correct, I can’t argue with that

Okay sweetie see you later.  Let me know if you need anything

I’ll do it mom

I love you Dana

Being a good son, or should I now say daughter I sent the expected reply of, Love you too mom

Lying my phone back down on the kitchen counter I was once again faced with the dilemma of ordering pizza from the crappy pizza place or not ordering pizza from the crappy pizza place, that was the question.

All of a sudden, my phone dinged again and I picked it up off the counter to see who was texting me now.  To my surprise it was Annabelle.

Hey Dana, just wanted to check in and see what you were doing

I replied, trying to figure out my dinner options.  Don’t know if I should pop some ramen in the microwave or order pizza

Can I come over right now? She asked

Shrugging my shoulders, I typed, Come on over

I don’t think two minutes had elapsed when the doorbell rang.

Heading to the door I opened it and there stood Annabelle with a pizza box in one hand and a bottle of wine and her purse in the other.

“You up for dinner?” she asked.

“Oh yeah, let me help you with that stuff,” I said relieving her of the wine bottle.

As she entered, I noticed that she had changed and was now wearing jeans that looked like she’d just been poured into and was sporting a dainty little blue top that showed her mid-section.  Not being at work she’d also liberated her hair from the bun it had been in earlier and it now rested upon her shoulders.  It was impossible not to notice how pretty she was.

“Come on in the kitchen,” I said.

Making our way to the kitchen I began to look through the drawers frantically.

“What are you looking for?”

“A corkscrew,” I replied and then continued my search.

“Hey,” she said, and as I looked up she took her hand, put it on the top of the bottle and made a counter clockwise motion and showed me the cap.

“It screws off.”

We both chuckled at the incident and I then said, “Let me get us a couple of plates.”

“Oh, and wine glasses,” she said.

“Red or white?”

“It’s loaded with meat and the wine is a merlot so ….”

“Two red glasses coming right up.”

Reaching up into the cabinet and getting the glasses was more of a chore than I thought it would be because when you’ve lost several inches of height you have to stand on your tiptoes.

Setting the glasses on the counter she immediately started pouring wine into them and from the looks of it, a lot.

“Annabelle I think you gave me over five ounces.”

Holding up her glass and looking at it she said, “I think you’re right, but I gave myself over five ounces as well.  It’s okay girl, we’re not driving.”

I held my glass up and said, “Cheers,” and we clinked glasses and she said, “Here’s to new friends,” and we both took a sip.

“Let’s eat,” I said.

We sat