Innocence

“Um, yeah, Carmen asked me to lunch. Since I’m going to be in Atlanta, I figured, why the hell not?” Her voice goes a tad tense.

“Whoa. You mean Greg’s sister, Carmen? That Carmen? Doesn’t Greg play football for the University of Georgia now?”

Sam and Greg had been secretly hot and heavy at the beginning of her senior year in high school, but it abruptly ended after New Year’s Eve of the same year. Sam gave some stupid excuse and refused to talk about it to anyone. She just kept saying it was time to move on. After several attempts, I stopped asking for the full story, knowing she would tell me when she was ready.

I’ve never been the type of person to force information out of someone. Sam has to be ready to tell me, regardless of what it is, and she just isn’t there yet.

My Carmen inquiry has earned me one of those don’t-go-there looks. Giving her a moment to calm down, I focus on watching the cars pass by on our way to the Atlanta Airport.

“Yes, she wants to catch up. And, no, there’s no chance that Greg and I will end up together. There’s nothing between us anymore. Please drop it.”

Whatever happened between them hurt Sam deeply. The tone in her voice tells me I might receive bodily harm if I continue down this road.

“Okay. I’m just surprised is all.” It’s definitely time for a subject change. “How’s living in the house with the girls going? I haven’t heard about the latest fiasco.”

Sam and a few other juniors are trying to start the first sorority at our college. I think she’s crazy for taking this on, but Sam loves a challenge.

“Allison, I swear that if I wasn’t so involved with this project, I just don’t know if I would keep forging ahead. I hope we were never this incorrigible to live with when we were back home. We have fifteen girls living in a house right off campus, and sharing the space seems to be a foreign concept. Last night, we discussed labeling food in the refrigerator and the amount of time each person should be allotted in the bathroom. I mean, come on, give me a break. Can’t we just be a little more grown-up? Why did I ever think it would be a good idea to move out of your cozy apartment?”

The fake irritation in her voice says otherwise. Deep down, she loves those girls.

I laugh. “Oh, Sam, you know you love it. Hopefully, your charter gets approved, so you guys can become the first official sorority of the university.”

We pull up to the terminal, and Sam puts the car in park.

“Damn straight. It better happen before the end of our senior year.” She’s recovered from the earlier mention of Greg.

After grabbing my luggage from the back, Sam meets me at the curb to give me a hug.

“I promise to email you the moment I get checked in at the hotel. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” I reassure her.

“You better.”

I can tell she’s still not pleased with the idea. She worries about me too much.

As I am heading inside the airport, Sam yells, “Hey, Allison!”

I turn back to face her.

“Don’t forget to find some cute-ass guy while you are there.”

I smile wryly and shake my head at her as she winks and blows a kiss. I watch as she hops into her car and drives away.

I board the plane, and I’m ready to go. Excitement is beyond me. A change of scenery is just what I need, and I am practically bouncing in my chair in anticipation of heading to the beautiful beaches of Miami, Florida. It’s just a state away from Georgia, but it feels like I am traveling across the ocean to a secluded place where I can sit and process all my thoughts.

As I hear the flight attendant go over safety instructions in the blandest voice possible, I lay my head back and think about how my life has changed so drastically in just a year’s time. In three days, it will be a year since I received the worst news of my entire life.

Sam and I just finished our sophomore year of college.

There was an art show in town, and Sam had talked me into showcasing some of my photographs that I had taken through the years. My parents had bought my first camera for me at the age of six, and from that day forward, photography became my passion. I’d devoured any book about photography I could get my hands on, so I could learn about all aspects of it. I’d even won a few contests during my high school years. At the end of the show, a writer from a local magazine approached me to tell me he was impressed with my natural talent.

Heading home to our town of Homerville, I say to Sam for the hundredth time, “Can you believe it? They actually liked my photographs.”

“Yes, and they want to offer you an internship. I told you.” She gives my shoulder a nudge as I drive.

“I know. I know. Tell your parents that I’m sorry I can’t stay and chat. I’ll come by tomorrow. I’m too excited to tell Mom and Dad my news.” I’m bouncing in my seat with excitement.

“Will do. Mama’s gonna want to have you guys over to celebrate at some point.”