Stef Ann Holm by Lucy Back (books to read in your 30s TXT) 📗

a Sponge Bob mask, but we all knew whose bare behind it was. Our best pitcher on the baseball team. Brad Smith. He was gone before any of the teachers could catch him. I would have known that butt anywhere. I’ve had a crush on it for the entire semester. Brad and I went to prom together.

I’ve always had a thing for baseball players. Funny how that works out…considering.

I got my diploma and my picture taken next to the United States flag. I guess I am now officially done with school.

Some friends and I spent our first days in the real world by hunting crawfish. Brad and I made out on the beach. We didn’t do anything, but kiss. I love how he kisses. All of us ended up going swimming to start our summer.

Now I’ve got my whole life ahead of me. I’m not sure if I can last four years in college, but Aunt Lynette says I need to try. A girl without a degree won’t go far. But I like to do hair and make up and look at how much money the cosmetologists to the stars make.

Besides, college costs big bucks. But Aunt Lynette said not to worry about that because my “daddy” said he was paying.

Drew sent me a graduation present and I almost didn’t open it. I let it sit on my bureau for three days. I didn’t want it to ruin my big day. Just in case it was something bad.

So I opened it this morning.

I keep staring at the present, wondering how he knew. I asked Aunt Lynette and she swore she never said a thing about it. That Drew did it on his own. I asked Aunt Lynette to get out her Bible and swear on it. She did. So I know she’s telling the truth.

Drew got me a diary.

How he knew, I can’t guess. Must have been a lucky guess, though. Or he probably asked the clerk in a store and she made a lucky guess. In any case, here I have it and what am I going to do with it?

I can’t stop looking at my present from Drew and I decided I might as well keep it. It’s just too nice not to use.

The diary the finest leather I’ve ever seen, and so smooth to touch. My fingertips glide over it. On the front, my name is inscribed in a really cool gold foil font. It only has my first name. He probably can’t stand the thought of me having only momma’s last name and not his.

Inside, the pages aren’t lined. It’s all fine white paper, really thick and nice so if I want to do a sketch or drawing, I can. The edges are a gold foil, too. It’s about the nicest diary I’ve ever seen.

He gave me a graduation card and a check for $1,000.00. I never seen that much money in one check in my life. I don’t know what I’m going to do with it, if I’ll even spend it. I should probably give it back…but last night I couldn’t sleep for thinking about how much fun it would be to take that kind of money to the mall and just blow the whole thing. Aunt Lynette says I should spend it wisely, but I don’t feel like being wise. I’m seventeen. I’m supposed to be reckless. Hah hah.

I suppose I need to write him a thank you card. Or maybe I should call him up. I have to think about it. I can’t remember what his voice sounds like. But I remember exactly what he looks like since he looks like me.

I have one of his pictures in my desk drawer, but I haven’t pulled it out in a long time.

I did this morning. And it’s on my bed next to me. And I’m thinking maybe I should call him and say thanks. But I don’t know how to say it.

I don’t know him.

I don’t know Drew Tolman at all.

Eight

Lucy was running late.

She’d stayed up until well after midnight preparing for today. Then a bad case of insomnia kept her up as she lay in bed going over various scenarios about her son.

When this happened in Boise, she’d gone online and read as much information as she could find, talked to the school counselor and principal, as well as her general practitioner. Armed with what she needed to say, and how to go about it calmly and unemotionally, she’d sat Jason down and told him she loved him, but his choices were unacceptable in her home. She was there to listen to him, and wanted to be part of the solution; unfortunately, he’d only mumbled some excuses and said he wouldn’t do it again.

She’d tried to get him away from the influence of his friends, had talked to their parents. Some were in denial and that was no help whatsoever. So she’d used the resources she had and made the best decision she could at the time.

Now that decision wasn’t floating above water. She felt as if she were sinking.

With a sigh of frustration, Lucy went through the house with unorganized thoughts as she collected everything she needed for her job interview. Into her briefcase she stuffed her menu notebook and testimonials from previous clients, vision statement about her services, and the client agreement—along with the empty plastic containers for entrées and side dishes just in case they hired her. She’d printed a sampler menu, a spring theme centering around some lower fat options, as well as a few decadent indulgences. Desserts weren’t the norm for her, but she was desperate.

She was meeting with prospective clients this morning, the first couple she’d actually have a face-to-face with. She’d fielded several calls in the past few days, but they hadn’t garnered any appointments—just more curiosity about who she was and if she knew Raul.

Hearing all about how great Raul Nunez was was getting on her nerves. The resort area was in