Walking Within The Shadows

By David Layman

Walking Within the Shadows offers the reader a view of a number of issues that young adults encounter, many controversial and many that have to be faced with little or no help from their peers or from real-life experiences. Annabelle Jackson is at an even greater disadvantage; she has been home-schooled and lived as a recluse, very isolated for most of her teen years, without a single friend to ever confide in other than Carly, her secret friend who resides within her. The issues Annabelle faces vary over a wide range of what young adults are faced with today. In an increasingly complex society where everyone is seemingly scrutinized by their appearance as well as their capabilities, Annabelle is forced to go it on her own and decide for herself; she realizes she must escape her trap, her bedroom, her isolation and reclusive, mundane existence and what she considers as her very mediocre middle-class life and to walk out of the shadows and ultimately, to grasp the excitement this new life with her new-found friend, Sicilia, offers her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Layman
• Release date: May 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476390758

David Layman

David Layman, born in Sandusky, Ohio, attended and earned both an undergraduate and graduate degree in history from Kent State University, Kent Ohio. After finishing his Ph.D courses, he chose to write novels and also completed two children's stories. His most current novel, DIRECT CONFLICT, focuses on the Vietnam War, the concentration of his academic studies. He is currently writing the sequel, and has written several other literary works.When David is not writing, he travels, engages in long-distance running, both on the beach and in the mountains. As a former Army Paratrooper and combat medic, David has taken an interest in veteran affairs and works with the Wounded Warrior project in Jacksonville, Florida. His newest endeavor is to master surfing, then to travel to Hawaii to surf the Bonzai Pipeline.David is currently working on the sequel to DIRECT CONFLICT, titled DIRECT CONTACT. Check back with us frequently for the release date.

Book preview

WALKING WITHIN THE SHADOWS

DAVID KENT LAYMAN

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright David Kent Layman 2012

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FORWARD

Annabelle Darlene Jackson lay on her bed and read her homework assigned that day from the local branch of the University of Miami at Fort Lauderdale. She finished her reading and set the book down on the night table. Her cat, Mocha lay in her lap and she began to stroke him. She then slid out of bed and opened the window, gazing out, allowing the night air to cool her.

Annabelle gazed about and sighed, wondering about her life. She noticed how the moon popped out from behind the clouds and for some strange reason, it reminded her of her past life; just there to see for a brief moment, and then quickly slipping back to hide within the shadows, once again to hide away and find some kind of peace for herself.

Annabelle had remained a recluse up to now and quite an introvert. She found that she had desired the solace and solitude that her bedroom offered her. She seemed to be so much like her father, introspective and not at all a people person. She was very unlike most any others, quite tall at six feet three inches. And, as one could imagine, being so tall made walking within the shadows most difficult for her.

Annabelle had grown tired and weary of her lot, wondering if she was forever stuck walking within the shadows. Then miraculously, Annabelle's fortunes brighten as she meets Sicilia Simone, a very wealthy South Beach teen who is far beyond her years. Sicilia is intent on helping Annabelle break out of her isolation in a number of ways; consequently, the story rapidly unfolds as Annabelle's life rapidly shifts due to Sicilia's agenda. All the changes seem to confuse Annabelle but she is determined to grasp at the chance to walk out of the shadows and into the limelight; a dramatic, brand new and exciting life in South Beach, Florida that includes Sicilia and her father, John Simone introducing Annabelle to the glamorous life of a super-model.

Walking Within the Shadows offers the reader a view of a number of issues that young adults encounter, many controversial and many that have to be faced with little or no help from their peers or from real-life experiences. Annabelle Jackson is at an even greater disadvantage; she has been home-schooled and lived as a recluse, very isolated for most of her teen years, without a single friend to ever confide in other than Carly, her secret friend who resides within her. The issues Annabelle faces vary over a wide range of what young adults are faced with today. In an increasingly complex society where everyone is seemingly scrutinized by their appearance as well as their capabilities, Annabelle is forced to go it on her own and decide for herself; she realizes she must escape her trap, her bedroom, her isolation and reclusive, mundane existence and what she considers as her very mediocre middle-class life and to walk out of the shadows and ultimately, to grasp the excitement this new life with her new-found friend, Sicilia, offers her.

CHAPTER 1

MY FIRST REAL-LIFE FRIEND

It was such a beautiful day. As I strolled slowly to my place in the sand, to relax and seek solace, I gazed at the ocean. There were just a few puffy clouds with the backdrop of an azure-tinted sky. The air felt a little heavier, more moisture-laden. Kids were playing on the beach, they were laughing and playing; at times it seemed like too much. Suddenly, they emitted their high-pitched screeches as they ran into the cool water, feeling the chill. Most others were sprawled all out, reading a book, possibly gazing at one another, especially the men, you know, if there were pretty, bikini-clad young females who were so intent on exposing nearly every inch allowable. I suppose they want to be noticed, to know they were most desirable. They craved the attention, to enhance their egos and the attention made them feel a little more secure! Yet please, wait, oh no, no one should ever stare! Many others were asleep, serenaded by the inebriating sounds of the sea.

The ocean was rolling in and the surf and the wind were pounding a little bit harder today than normal. An impending storm perhaps, out to sea, and it was lurking, churning out there, and waiting for it’s time to strike. I thought I recalled them saying a storm would come our way by mid-week or so. Did I hear that?

At least there was some form of warning with the weather. At least we knew that there was peril on the horizon. They could forewarn us to take the necessary precautions. The weather was more predictable, for one to take cover, but, not so much for me. For me, I really didn’t get any of that, little if any, or no forewarning.

I feel an uneasy kind of peril, a storm just there, close by, sometimes just over the horizon, rather dark, sinister and foreboding. By the time it closed on me, well, many times I was never really in any condition to find shelter. If close by, I did seek my shelter, I think, which had always been my bed, my bedroom and my kitty, Mocha. She and my bedroom, those, yes, they are my safe havens. I could crawl under the blankets, with my half dozen pillows, my quilt, my white cotton sheets, and my Mocha. Then, if I could stay there for an extended time, I might later awaken and feel slight relief, though many times my safe haven produced those unwanted side effects. I might have awakened later with a horrid headache and a belly ache, just achy, you know. It was most unsettling, the gnawing, then I became fidgety as I sifted through my dreams.

Most often though, it was like I got caught by surprise! There was no forewarning and the storm was upon me, with no escape. I tried to; I tried to talk my way out of it. I try to convince myself that there was no reason for alarm. But, the foreboding, unsettled feelings rushed in and overwhelmed me much of the time. It was no use attempting to turn back. Sometimes, I just couldn’t rush home to my bed. If I was driving, at school or at work, what was I supposed to do, just drop everything and start yelling out all over the place that I had to get home very fast to my bed? People would frown on it, I know, and they would say, Oh, that Annabelle, she has some major, big time issues. She should be medicated, or locked up. She needs HELP! Like I didn’t know that?

I would hear them, I knew they were there and what they were saying anyways cuz’ of some of the weirdo stuff I do! Like, when I might talk to myself, say in the library. I kinda’ sometimes might forget where I was, maybe on purpose, to cope. So, it usually came out all wrong, I suppose. I do what I do when I am in private. It’s not quite like everyone else, I guess. Say, um, like I talk to myself, but I did it a little differently than most in society. I would talk to myself, like out loud. And, of course, I gave myself, or her, my Carly, my best, tops girlfriend who resides comfortably in my brain perfectly logical answers.

So what, so if I like have this imaginary friend, let’s call her like I do, Carly; why does that matter to anyone? She is my good, well, my only and my very best friend. And I think about things, and then I like to tell her. Then, Annabelle, me, I listen, and she answers me. I’ve done it in class or at work, or maybe just when I am having coffee at Mombasa’s Cafe. What can I say? It’s pretty obvious about her and me, and it can also painful at times!

Why, I’ll tell you why it is painful is because then, or at other times, is when I get those awful stares! It is rather annoying to me. See, for one thing about me, I am like this total Jack in the Beanstalk. I pretty much tower over everyone. Me, Annabelle Darlene Jackson, yeah, Miss Giraffe neck and head. I look like some Ostrich, I think. I am way, ooh, way too tall and I have like a very weird shape and kinda’ like big feet. Sometimes, I just can’t bear up under it! Why am I like this?

And, so of course they stare, and whisper and stare. Whisper, whisper, yuck bags, anger, dark, evil stuff enters my mind, it is a kind of bullying for sure. I hate them, punching anything I can, wishing I could be punching them right into their ugly, foul mouths! I am like losing it, little dirty brats point and giggle; their mothers or fathers might say to hush up. But, of course they are intent on staring, too. And, I know what they are thinking. I never figured out why humans are so awful and rude to one another.

So, um, sorry if I ruined your day, but I am in my own area, look, I am not intruding on you, I don’t think. I guess lots of times I’d rather scream at people, Like, why do you care? Why are you bothering to listen to me or to my imaginary friend, Carly? She’s answering because I was confiding in her, or, say my telling her whatever, okay? So then they stare at me! That, or cuz’, well cuz’ I maybe look like a cartoon, anyways?

Why do you insist on that annoying staring and the incessant, annoying whispering? Is that necessary? Oh yeah, and some don’t even bother to whisper. What is it to you if I find comfort and solace in having a perfectly normal, easy, relaxed friend, and a nice make believe relationship? Quit staring, whispering, and leave me alone!

Okay, so then what if I did make her up. That is pretty obvious but they would never ask themselves the really valid question, most important, which is why would I do such a thing? Um, hello, could it be cuz’ I am so not into your world? Why would I be? I think yours is a bunch of yuck and filth and all stupid so I am not taking part. That is why I have my friend, Carly. I think we have a perfectly normal relationship! She is kind, considerate and thoughtful. I am pretty much the same to her, too. She’s nothing like you; selfish, arrogant, scheming, money grubber, and deceitful, so rude and so self-absorbed. I could always count on Carly!

So, I seem to go all around in a kind of daze, a fog, in the fog and drizzle. Yes, that’s it. I live in a kind of opaque world, one in which I cannot see or think or act clearly. Why can’t I clear away the unclear and unsavory thoughts, clear away the anguish. I grow tired and weary of the tediousness. But, I am sure I operate as I do for blocking purposes, to block out all the ugly rats.

It’s like driving in the fog and rain. If the fog is too thick, you can’t see a thing. It plays tricks on your mind and makes you feel fearful. You are at the mercy of something you have no control over. And, it just goes on and on, there is no relief! You drive along aimlessly and just hope that you’ll wake up later and everything will be okay. The headache, the belly ache, the achiness, um, all that would be such a welcome relief if you could just get out from behind the wheel and escape!

I found my spot that I liked and tossed out my large beach towel and straightened it out, making sure there was no sand to whisk off anywhere. I usually stood there, picking my large beach towel up and shaking it a bunch, the beach towel blowing all over in the breeze. I always had to make completely sure no sand would suddenly find its way right where I didn’t want it to be. I have a certain way I liked, like the feeling of the sand on the bottom of my feet, and in between my toes. That was fine; I didn’t mind the sand like that. I didn’t like it inside my bikini bottoms or on my legs, arms, back, stomach, or face, or in my hair! Why couldn’t it just stay on the bottoms of my feet or in between my toes? It reminded me of me; always wanting things to be just so but they find a little way to go askew, just a bit off-color, not in just the right place where I ever wanted it to be.

I got settled and made my imprint into the sand with my butt, and I dug my toes down in. I dug and dug, and I dug. The sand, well, I like it, I do, I like it when it is oozing through and in between my toes. That’s fine and the sand is very warm and very comforting. I like that. And, I do know the sand actually has this cleansing effect. We learned that in science. So I like, well no wait, I love clean feet, I love clean everything; I hate, no wait, I really, really hate dirt and mud and filth. I dislike chocolate candy or chocolate ice cream or chocolate cake cuz’ of the bad color. It reminded me of mud, seriously! Just not the sand in my bathing suit please, cuz’ then it has to come off and I have to wash myself, a total pain, okay?

I pulled out my notebook and pen and I drew in. I was getting set and my toes were buried deep. I’d already applied quite a bit of sunscreen. I set my notepad and pen down. I lay back on my elbows and recalled my morning. I put my head down and closed my eyes.

I lay down and threw another towel over my face, to block for me. Now, this was good because I could talk in low tones, whisper, or just lip it to my Carly and no one would point or stare. They couldn’t see me. If they did, I couldn’t see them anyhow. I thought back, and back and, um, I wanted to dream for just a little bit.

I thought about like my kitty, my Mocha as she slithered and crawled down under my blankets and set herself in for a long snooze right on my feet. I always liked that. It felt so warm and comforting, except then, I couldn’t shift around and sleep on my side or anything. Once in a while, well, nightly, she would lick them; my feet that is and I loved that! It was very soothing and so comforting for me! But see, if I moved my kitty would get all fussy and upset because I disturbed her resting place. I suppose it was as comforting to her as it was to me, when she lay all over my feet. So, it inhibited my sleep but it comforted my subconscious.

I thought some more and a weird, strange thought came, well, maybe from Carly. See, she does that, she like takes me over sometimes and I find I have difficulty controlling her. I don’t mind so much, I have her for whenever I need her and on occasion I’ll tell her not now, please. She listens, too. And, she can be, on occasion, much more tense and short-tempered than me, I think. I really do try to not let her annoy me too much.

Anyways, I thought I might be kind of psychotic. I thought maybe I heard Carly say that, not in so much an accusatory way, but like sometimes she just said things to me, weird things. It was then that Carly made me tense, like her when she had some major attitude. I never used to be quite so tense. My mind raced and I had to try to convince myself to stay all calm. I did not like it at all when I went all off and got all crazy. I liked to feel calm, serene, relaxed, not all racing around. So, that was why I decided to try to curb my mind. I decided the best thing I could do was to occupy my mind with something and that turned out to be my writing; that way, you know, not quite so crazy, I suppose. And, when I was writing, well, I had this excuse to tell Carly doll no! But, I do love her so!

So far, I hadn’t written a lot. I mean, I had a few stories going, like the introductions. And, I decided to try and concentrate now on one. I wanted to try to make some headway and see how it came out. I’d been thinking how it would go quite a bit and that had helped me because I didn’t then concentrate on aimless, more psychotic, whacked kinds of things. I would write and I felt a little better, well, sometimes better. So, I may have found a partial cure. It didn’t always work, but maybe the more I worked at it, the more I trained myself, the more I could create, write, and then I escaped, maybe that would allow me to rest, to feel comfort, and serenity.

I decided to wait, to enjoy the day, and I’d write more later on. I had the whole day off from everything, not too unusual, so I wanted to try and relax. I decided to wait; to write and let my brain rest. I wanted to see if I could do that and not feel like everything was going too fast, you know, like flying by me. My mind could really go, but I thought it better if I rested for now. Then, I thought maybe my writing would go better.

The sleep came and I really had no idea for how long. I was jarred awake by my blocking towel being so abruptly and rudely yanked off my face. I jumped, startled, and I gasped. I couldn’t make too much out because it was so bright and sunny out. I blinked, shielded my eyes and groaned, Um, Carly? Ooh, oh, so bright. Wait, um, who is it?

I lay there, and I heard, Hey, no, no Carly, love. Wake up, you! I’ve been waiting! Who’d you think it was, Jack the Ripper?

I heard what I hoped was one of the few familiar voices I knew. I licked my dry lips with my dry tongue, still shielding my eyes. Who? I asked, still feeling drugged.

I reached for my sunglasses. They weren’t on my head. I felt around and I felt them then, in my hand. Here you are, sweetie, your sunglasses. I have your head too, it came unscrewed. I found it floating out in the surf. Want me to re-attach you to you?

I fumbled with my glasses and lay there, totally drained of everything. I was sweating like some farm animal. I did my very best to re-gain my consciousness, trying not to hurl. I glanced up again, wanting to barf, gagging a bit. Oh, hey Sicilia, it’s you. Sorry, I think I fell asleep.

Yeah, I’ve been trying to call you all morning. How many times do I have to tell you, girl? Sicilia asked. When you get up, turn your cell on. If you don’t, you might end up in something not so good and how would I ever know what happened to you?

I lay there and I tried to swallow. I felt so parched and dry. I reached for my bag and pulled it towards me. I felt inside and found my bottle of water. I unscrewed the top and tried to sit up.

I eased up and just then, Sicilia sat down, kinda’ almost on top of me! I shifted, feeling so uncomfortable, hot and a little sweaty. Sicilia got her arm right in there, locked into mine and said, as she scooted in way too close, You need to watch yourself there, girl. You are just laying out here all by yourself, asleep, that towel over your head. And, you be like so gorgeous and you have that way smokin’ hot booty! Are you kidding me? Any slimy creep could move right in here and be all over you.

I sipped my water, and looked all around. I said, still feeling so out of it from my sleep, not one bit with anything, my tummy rolling, ooh, Sicilia, there is a life guard stand right there, as I pointed just down the beach. Plus, there are like other people around.

I inhaled, wondering if I did yak right out on the sand then maybe this weird girl would just go away and leave me in peace.Oh, I know, I know, but they might just miss it, Sicilia warned. You can’t ever be too careful. Stalkers are always lurking about. They’ll try and sneak up on you, maybe, too! Just try to be more careful so I don’t have to worry about you.

I sipped more water, trying to snap out of my total, lock-down dead-head, nothingness. What are you up to? I asked.

Sicilia leaned closer, too close, her face right there. I knew I had to not smell too great. My so gross puke breath, please, most hideous. I was so not ready for this! Sicilia smiled, I am miss stalker queen, yeah, stalking you, which is what I’m doing. I told you yesterday that I wanted us to hang today, remember?

I hadn’t forgotten, just that I wanted to. I had met Sicilia not long after I began classes at the local college that I never wanted to attend. I met her in one of my classes and for some very strange reason, she took to me. Why, I could not ever say. She totally initiated it all, not me. I was really not into socializing with anyone, and I kept completely to myself, my eyes always averted way away from anyone. I was not a socializer, no way! Sicilia seemed to pay that no mind, though; she moved in on me like we had known each other for years and years.

I focused a little and noticed a little bit of sand had found its way onto my beach towel. I told Carly, feeling way irritated, I told you already, no sand on my beach towel. You got that!

Carly snickered back, Oh, excuse me, miss temperamental, hormonal butt face.

Sicilia giggled, as I had kinda’ forgotten to just think my thought rather than to say it all out loud. Sicilia eyed me, Oh, well, I must have missed that one. Was there someone else here before me?

I sighed heavily as I shook my head, now having to cover. Had this girl not shown up, I would have been able to have such a nice, UNINTERRUPTED sleep, hello. But, oh no, that was so out!

I tried to scoot those little annoying sand particles off with my foot. My Sicilia put her head down on my shoulder, which creeped me out. I felt so strange, and I didn’t know what to say. See, it was my parents’ great idea that I go outside, like actually that I should go to this college. I vied for staying in my house, their home, and doing on-line college. I saw it all the time on television being advertised. But, they said no, that that kind of degree was pretty much worthless. And, they thought I should get out more, to meet others my own age. Well, if they thought that why did they so shelter me and home school me for my whole life so far? That is the annoying thing about adults. They always think they’re right.

I kept at the little tiny particles of sand with my foot. They were persistent, and I was making no progress. Same with Sicilia, how would I tell her I didn’t care for the company? I was fine sleeping and feeling okay just resting by myself. I felt okay, not all zooming and racing. Now, right off, I was feeling not so good. She had her head on my shoulder and her leg right on mine. Why was she doing something like that? It was too much. I liked tranquility and no confrontations, no touching me, thank you. What was this girl doing; what could she want with me? I didn’t ask for any of this!

You’re free all day? I asked, so dreading the answer. I wanted to jerk my body away from her, but getting it that that would be pretty rude. Yet, I thought she was taking too many liberties with me. I mean, our bodies were like weird, way, way too close and I could actually feel her heat! That totally grossed me, and I was so ready to pass out from the heat anyways. I guess she just didn’t know, or didn’t care, but I did!

Sicilia nodded, Yes, I told you yesterday, remember? I was hoping we could maybe hang out, you know, and relax together.

I grimaced and groaned inside me. I told Carly, in my more silent mode, Please, would you get over here and help me! You’re in this too, you know!

I gazed off and realized maybe my friend was interested in things I was not. I had no experience with anything when it came to people. I was so not a people person. I was what daddy had said, like, well, more introspective, shy, totally unassuming, reclusive. But, I did watch T.V. and I read like all the time. So, I knew some things. And, I knew this Sicilia was leaning towards us being cuddly and close, no doubt, I thought. Carly must have thought so too, as she filled my brain. I heard her say,Okay, wait, OMG, what is up with the bimbo?

Well, I kinda’ caught my smirk, you know, in like the halfway smirk when you try to hide it! Not so good, cuz', um, like some snot shot part way out my nose! I about died; it felt like the worst thing ever; but, oh nothing at all to Sicilia. Nope, she said, as I masked, quickly grabbing my nose, Oh, you sneezed, here, I’ll get that for you, babe!

Immediately, before I could do anything, this strange girl had a Kleenex in her hand, like knocking my hand away and she was wiping my nose! What? Come on, I mean, that was so weird! Who wipes someone else's nose like that?

I fought my instinct to pull away. I was so not the cuddly or cuddling type, none of any of this stuff and my delicious Carly did make a really valid point, too! I certainly did not care for anyone, whatever, a bimbo, she said, helping me with my personal needs! Sicilia did it like she liked it too, wiping the snot from my nose, dabbing afterwords, gently, so carefully, which totally grossed me. To top it all off, she was a girl acting all this way! So bizarre! I was at a total loss at the moment.

Sicilia exclaimed, as she kept dabbing at my nose,There you go, baby face, all cleaned up.

I felt like jumping up and running away. Carly told me, Tell the ugly wench to take a hike. Who does she think she is, just wiping your nose like that? What a hoe!

I covered my face with my hands and I inhaled deeply, to try to stymie my laughter again. But, it didn’t work. I couldn’t stand it and I think it was my nervous thingy, too. I mean, I always felt like I might pee my panties when I freaked.

I threw my hands out and said, to Carly, again, too loudly, once again forgetting, Oh, I don’t know. How is that, how do you say it? Say, just like, say it, say hike it?

Sicilia eyed me rather with a look of maybe consternation. But, she didn’t seem to shy off. I kinda’ hoped she would react like all the other poisonous little rats and rodents, all the other little amoebas floating about and decide that I was too wierded out and that she should maybe hit the road, oh yeah, long gone and that would be the end of that.

I held there and Sicilia leaned even closer to my right ear, like right there about nearly in my ear which made me feel kinda’ like a shivery goose bumpy kind of feeling. She said, just above a whisper, Annabelle, you intrigue me. I notice you talking like that. I mean, could I possibly intrude? Is there something I should know more about with you? Is there this significant other? Can you tell me?

I couldn’t really turn my head cuz’ Sicilia was so in my ear, I mean, how could I. I just said, like before, which was all I could blurt out, Oh, I don’t know, I don’t, um, maybe I shouldn’t say it!

Now, we sat there in a bit of a silence. I tucked my hair behind my other ear and then, Sicilia said, as she leaned back, Okay, well, you don’t have to say anything. If you just like to talk, I am fine with it. If you are just thinking out loud, okay too! I’m fine, I just feel good that we finally have some nice time to spend together.

I wanted to gain back my space but I held out for the moment. I did notice how Sicilia always sought me out. I just hoped it was going to be nothing much, just a so-so casual acquaintance. I suppose one casual acquaintance wouldn't hurt, if I could limit it to that. When she found me at school, I was always pretty tight-lipped. I just didn’t care for the pushy intrusion by her in my life. I liked being alone, solitary, and yeah, maybe cuz’ I was shy. Besides, I already had one friend. Yet, it seemed strange how this strange girl was making these total allowances for me. Why would she not care about my Carly, everybody else did!

Maybe that was why my parents kept me house-bound all those years. As I said before, I think, I was not a people person, which I knew! I did have some issues with myself and others, and I was perfectly content in my room, in my bed. They wanted to shield me and watch out for me. Just that now I could be like this magnet for people who were different, or for those who were intent on something I was maybe not into, like cuddling. I really didn’t know cuz’ no one but my little sis, Evie, ever tried anything like getting on me or what Sicilia was doing to me now. And, with Evie I could just kick her right in the face! Why would Sicilia be so close? I just didn’t know anything for sure.

I felt all fidgety and too warm, still half-nauseated. I heard Carly, Tell the slut face prostitute you gotta’ do your writing later and to please go and buzz off. She seems quite the pest to me; just what you need, Annabelle, some half-baked little Chihuahua hanging around you, to make fun.

Well, I said, flexing my toes, biting the side of my cheek to stymie my laugh, and taking Carly’s advice, I wanted to do some writing. I thought I’d start later.

I wanted to try to give Sicilia a hint, you said to do it, right? I mentioned, in my mind, but not saying it out loud this time to my side-kick, baby doll, Carly. I didn’t think it would work. But, I just felt like it would be better if she left me and went off with someone else, someone more inclined to get into whatever it was that she had in mind. So, remember that I was perfectly fine lost in my slumber, traveling around the Universe with my Carly. She never crowded me in like this, never making me uncomfortable, that was for sure. There were never any kinds of demands with my darling Carly, only great support and great advice. And, I knew she’d tell me to run away quick from this one!

Yeah, you had said you wanted to write today, Sicilia answered. That’s fine with me. You come over and you can lay by the pool! You write, and I’ll fix us dinner. Later, if you want, we can take a walk or get coffee. Or, you just keep right on writing. I’m fine with whatever!

I gave up on scooting the sand off the blanket. The sand kept appearing after I ran my foot and toes over the fine particles. It was no use, just like I knew about my first-ever other than my Carly friend. I would have to tell Sicilia I decided I could not accept her invitation under any circumstances. I would freak out! It just sounded too intimate and cozy, too cuddly to me. And, that I reserved for my kitty, Mocha love! Besides, I doubted Sicilia would be at all interested in getting down there under the blankets and go licking my feet. That’s reserved for kitty Mocha and me.

I never had a date before and if this was what Sicilia had in mind, I sure was not going to start now. I mean, wait a second; if I ever imagined, this was a girl, not some random boy. But, I had to say I really knew no boys; for that matter Sicilia was actually my very first sort-of real life-like friend, honest!

She kept like putting her foot on mine and playing around with my hand. She was so close; just, it was very, very odd when only Evie had done something like this before. No boy ever, I really didn’t care too much for boys. And, I could tell Evie to