Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 3

Anna and Jake's Tuesday/Thursday schedule consisted of only two classes -- Introduction to Law Enforcement and Fundamentals of Communication, giving them a full-time schedule of fifteen credit hours. They both had to balance this with their work hours as well.

In fact, Anna had a shift at the coffee shop that night. After finishing up their second class for the day, she asked Jake for a ride to work.

She closed the door to Jake's car with a quick goodbye and a swift bump of her hip. They had agreed to look over the news clippings from her sister's case after her shift.

"Hey Tam," Anna called over to her friend. They had a lot of the same shifts. Tam didn't need the extra income from having a job but, her parents thought that having a good work ethic was important to instill in their daughter.

"Hey girl! Was that Jake dropping you off? Why didn't he come in?" She tried to sound casual.

"Oh, he just wanted to get a head start on our Criminal Investigation project." He definitely could've used the wifi at the cafe to look up the old newspapers, but he usually didn't hang around if Tam was working alongside Anna. Not since the break up anyway. If he did, Tam tried to catch his eye too often for anyone around them to feel comfortable.

"What's the project on?"

"We're actually going to be able to open up my sister's cold case and give it another shot for a grade." Anna went on to explain the details of the assignment.

"Wow. That's a really cool project!"

"Yeah, I'm actually really excited about it."

"That's going to have you and Jake spending even more time together, though isn't it?" Tam sounded a bit dejected.

Anna tried to laugh it off, "No, just more focused time. Which is going to be quite the feat."

An uncomfortable silence stretched between them as they got into the rhythm of serving customers and making drinks. The coffee shop was filled with college students working on various projects. The after-work crowd sauntered in and out, business people needing a mid-day boost. A slightly jazzy tune played over the speakers. Anna hoped that this was the end of Tam's talk about Jake.

Things started to slow down over the next hour or so and Tam found her way back to register Anna was working.

"Anna, can I ask you something?"

Anna was hesitant but said, "Anything, Tam. You can always ask me anything."

"Do you think there's any hope for me and Jake?"

This was the first time since the break up that Tam was admitting to seeking that hope. Normally, she would just pine away in her own head, denying those lingering feelings to the ends of the earth.

Anna had no idea what to say. Well, she knew what the truth was and then she knew what Tam wanted to hear. Maybe it was better to crush that last bit of hope now and let Tam fully heal. But, then again, maybe it was better to let Tam deal in her own way. The last place Anna wanted to be was in the middle of it all.

"Tam, I know this still hurts for you. But, I think your best option is to move forward... without Jake. Heal. Date other people. Maybe even try to be friends again if you still want him in your life somehow but... I don't think hanging onto him like this is healthy."

Anna watched as pain crossed her friend's face. Deep down, Tam had to know Anna was right. It had been almost a year. Anna had never told Tam about her conversation with Jake the day before they broke up and she thought it was better that way.