Surprises

Standing behind the counter, Renolds was talking to a guy. He was on the bulky side with brown hair and freckles. She waved me over, washing me in fear. Was she going to set me up with this guy? I was getting tired of her shenanigans. I needed a break.

“This is Tedd. With two d’s. He’s one of my old friends. He’s a nice kid. Today, you’re his responsibility.”

“Hey. You’re Florence, right?”

“Right… Um, Renolds…” Of course, she scurried off to take an order. “Hi,” I said.

“I won’t even ask what Renolds has put you through. I know her well enough to know questions aren’t welcome. You poor thing. Let’s take you to my place and get you a decent meal. When was the last time you ate something decent?”

I couldn’t remember.

“I’m so sorry for my friend. Come on,” so I followed the nice man. He seemed kind enough, and he honestly was.

We got into his car and drove away. “It’s been a strange week,” I said, “That’s the only reason I’d ever get into a car with someone I didn’t know.”

“I know. Renolds told me she found you frazzled and drunk. She’s a humanitarian, honestly. Can’t help but help the poor bastard who’s trying to stick the spoon in the outlet. That was a terrible analogy but Renolds does mean the best. She just shows it in odd ways.”

“She does…”

“But has she helped?” Tedd asked.

I pondered for a moment. “She has. I would’ve never, ever in my life experimented as much if it weren’t for her. She pushed me over the edge but I found it to be a two foot jump rather than the cliff I thought it was.”

“Wow. I’ve known you for five minutes and my senseless analogies are rubbing off on you.”

I laughed. Tedd was decent, more so than anyone I’ve met yet. “No offense, but how are you friends with Renolds? Her friends are so…”

“Extravagant. I know. I went to high school with Renny. We didn’t become friends until the summer after we graduated, though. She was different. Yet she’s shifted into this mold that’s all her own. She’s a character but you have to love her.”

“You do,” I nodded.

“Here we are,” we pulled into the parking lot of an apartment building. I recognized where we were for once, about twenty minutes from my house. I had no intentions or desires to go back, though.

“Hey, can I use your phone at some point?”

“Sure.” I knew I needed to call my parents. They shouldn’t have to worry about me. I was fine… mostly.

I followed Tedd up to his apartment. As he grabbled for his keys, the door swung open and I found myself staring, surprised, at Astrid.

“Tedd! Where did you go? You just disappeared and…” she cut off midsentence.

“Oh. Sorry Sis. I had a Renolds emergency and I had to go…”

“You picked up her stray I see,” I blushed. She waved us in and stared at me. Her words weren’t curt or mean. They were matter of fact.

Rigid, I sat down. I forced myself not to look at her. It was going to be hard enough spending the afternoon with Astrid when she was exactly what I was not thinking about.