Seas Between

Chapter Three

"Why me?" Cleao wailed as I patted her back awkwardly. My comforting skills were severely lacking, so I usually resorted to a big pail of ice cream and a heartfelt chick flick.

"I know, but just give me five minutes and I will be right back!" I scrambled to pull on some shoes and grab a sweatshirt. "Call me if something happens," I hollered as I picked up my keys and ran out the door.

Turning the car on, I backed out of the driveway and headed to the drug store just down the street. I hurriedly pulled into the first parking spot I saw and rushed in to grab the sweets. Armed with two pints of chocolate chip cookie dough I walked out the door and went to my car. Turning the key in the ignition, I frowned when my car only sputtered in a weak attempt to start. I pulled the key out and tried again.

"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered under my breath when the car repeated the same noise. I opened my door and looked around for someone to help. It was late and I was the only one in the parking lot.

Walking back into the store, I approached the lady behind the counter and asked for help.

"Girlie, I don't know the first thing about cars, let alone how to fix one. You might as well call a tow truck and wait." She sat on the counter, chewing a wad of gum and inspecting her nails.

"Umm alright then. Thanks anyway I guess."

She nodded her head at me and I turned around to walk back outside. I wasn't going to call a tow truck. It was a waste of money when I could just have my brother come look at it the next day.

I squared my shoulders and faced the street with the two pints of ice cream dangling by my side.

"Cleao, never say I don't love you."

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"This is heaven."

I nodded my agreement while shoveling another big spoonful of ice cream into my mouth. Our favorite movie, The Other Woman, was playing on the TV in front of us, and honestly, this was turning out to be not the worst night after all.

That was, until Cleao started crying again when she saw Leslie Mann onscreen crying about her cheating husband.

I didn't understand, but with some reverse psychology thinking, Cleao was able to correlate her and awful wide-receiver guy with a married couple.

That's when I knew it was going to be a long night.

"You know what? I just need to stop crying so I can start forgetting," she declared.

"Just keep shoving ice cream in your face until your mouth is numb."

She looked over at me and we both cracked up.

After we had quieted down, Cleao looked at me thoughfully.

"Thanks for being here, Grace. I love you so much for doing this for me."

"We're best friends. You know I'd do anything, right?"

"I know."

We sat in silence for a few minutes, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was actually peaceful, and really nice. Cleao reached over and turned off the lamp. I made myself comfortable and closed my eyes.

"Goodnight Cle. Love you."

"Goodnight. Love you too," she responded as my mind started to drift off into a deep sleep.