Stranger Things Have Happened, I Know

Ch 35 & 36

Chapter 35

Living the LA life was turning out to be a lot of fun, but at times it was still a struggle. I was glad that I had my part time job at the college to help me keep busy, but sometimes it would make miss my old life. I would watch some of the girls around campus interact with each other, studying together, making plans to meet for coffee or talking about last weekend’s party scene. They weren’t really all that much younger than me and it made my nostalgic for my large group of friends back in Massachusetts. My circle of friends in LA consisted of people that were all really Dave’s friends. Cara, Ali and from time to time, Josh’s wife Brody, were really the only three women that I had in my life now. Although they were kind and fun and we all genuinely got along, it wasn’t the same type of relationship I had with Heidi and Danielle back home. These women were slightly older than me, and they all had young children and it was hard to relate to them sometimes. I wished I had someone my own age that I could go out with. I was still young and I suddenly had fewer responsibilities, more free time and a disposable income. I didn’t feel ready to settle in to the old-married-routine just yet.

“We go out all the time,” Dave said, when I had tried to explain this to him.

“I know,” I said, slightly frustrated that he wasn’t grasping where I was coming from. “I just wish that I had some friends of my own, you know?”

“You go shopping with Alison and Cara, though,” Dave pointed out, again missing the point. I smiled and gave up.

“I guess I just miss Heidi and Danielle,” I said, even though that wasn’t the root of the problem. Dave sighed.

“Kate, you have a huge circle of friends out here and they are some of the coolest people in the world,” he said. “Maybe you’re not trying hard enough to commit to them?” I starred at him, instantly angered by this remark. Missing my friends back home did not mean I wasn’t trying to commit to my new friends out here. I swallowed hard. I really wanted to avoid a fight so I simply replied,

“Maybe you’re right…” Dave sensed that I was upset and softened.

“Katie,” he said, reaching out to hold my hand. “We have a great life out here, we have the best friend anyone could ask for, we have each other, what else could you possibly need?” I blinked several times, hoping that the tears I could feel forming would stay behind my lashes.

“Nothing, babe,” I replied, forcing a smile. “I don’t need anything else.”

That conversation left me feeling even more alone. Dave was right, in a way, I had a lot to be thankful for. His friends…our friends… had welcomed me into their circle and made me one of them. We had a great extended family here, but still… I missed my friends.

A few days later, still feeling blue, I called Ali to try to make some plans to go out for a girl’s night. She was very excited at the idea and we planned to go out on Friday night, to a fun new bar that had just opened up in downtown LA. This helped my mood dramatically and I spent the next few days looking forward to getting out on the town with my good friend.

Friday finally rolled around and I excitedly began to pick out my clothes and plan my hair and make-up. Early Friday evening, just as Dave and I were finishing up dinner, my cell rang. It was Ali.

“Hey!” I said, happily. “Are you getting excited for our girl’s night?”

“That’s why I’m calling,” Ali said. “My friend Kristy just called and she really needs a girl’s night out, too. Do you mind if I invite her along?” My heart sank. I was really looking forward to having it just be Ali and I. I had never met Kristy and wasn’t sure how she’d affect the dynamic. I frowned but said,