Losing the Lonely

Lara I never thought I would come back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Even after all these years, my time here still feels like a dream. This is the place where I met my first love. Maybe that's why I feel like it was like a dream. Granted, I was in my early 20's and I couldn't wait to leave home. Back then my thoughts were the furthest away from my family the better. I'm not saying that my family was bad or mean to me, it's just that I grew up in a religious home. I wanted to make my own choices. I wanted to experience young love, but I never got to experience that because it was not appropriate to have a boyfriend when growing up in the Kahaku household. I was just like any other girl my age. I liked boys, but nothing ever became of it. I may have had puppy love in grade school, but we just held hands, and I NEVER told my parents. In middle school I did have someone that we were boyfriend and girlfriend, however, I never kissed him. I was the only one that did not kis

LaraAs I watched Eliza walking out I kind of felt uncomfortable. Bring on the social awkwardness. No matter how old I am, I will always be this. “Do you want dessert” Orion asked. “Um, no thank you” I responded. I looked at the table and most of the food was gone. I really wanted to have dessert, but I do not know what or how to act with Orion sitting right in front of me. My whole body is tight. I had to tell myself, just treat him as if he was Eliza. Or any other friend that I have. Ok, I don’t have many friends. Honestly, I’d rather be here by myself than to sit across Orion. “Ok, well do you mind sitting with me while I have dessert” he stated. My right eyebrow lifted. He noticed it and smiled. “We can catch up more. There wasn’t much of an opportunity to get to know each other back then, but now, why not” he said. I had to take a beat and think about it. Ok, I am 38 years old. My experiences have never given me life long close friends. Not that I’m complaining about

Orion“Bossman, why you here, man” Marcus asked as he spotted me walking into the shop. “Why not? If I don’t come, you guys might get into trouble and burn this place down” I said in a teasing way. “Ha ha, not even, you really helped all of us out, so we owe you. There is no way we would intentionally let you down” Marcus said leaning against the car he was working on. “I know. How’s it going here” I asked. “Oh, you know, can’t complain. Business is good. Customers keep coming in and we keep doing what we gotta do” Marcus said. These guys know their stuff when it comes to fixing cars. “That’s good. Well, I’ll be in the office” I said and went upstairs. I opened my own service station a few years ago. In addition to gas, I also have mechanics in house to fix cars. The guys I hire are those who are down on their luck and need a helping hand. I didn’t intentionally make my business this way it just became like this. They are a good bunch of guys, rough guys, but still good

Lara “Girl what’s your address. I’ll come over and get ready at your place” Shantel said over my speaker phone. “Geez, it’s just a backyard party, there’s no need to go over the top” I said. “Hey, I never go out, so I’d like to look my best” Shantel replied. “Seriously” I asked exasperated. “Yes, it’s been a while and I’m single so I’d like to look at least decent. Come on, I live in scrubs, so why not dress up” she replied in a whiny way. I chuckled and said, “alright, alright. I’ll drop a location pin for you. Come over. We’ll get ready together.” “Great” she replied, then we hung up the call. 30 minutes later, I was still just lounging around listening to an audiobook and playing on my phone. Basically, doing a whole bunch of nothing. That’s when I heard a knock on my door. I got up, walked over to the door and opened it. As the door was being open, I hear Shantel’s voice saying, “I’m here” in a singy songy way. I smiled and said, “come on in,” then I stepped back.

Orion Lara slammed into my chest. The plate with the cornbread she was holding smashed between us and crumbled to the ground. “Lara are you ok” I asked her. Looking her over from the top of her head to the tip of her feet. She looked a little startled. I looked behind her. “Johanna, why did you do that” I spoke in a cold tone, my eyes piercing through her with anger. “What are you doing? Do you remember you asked me to be here” Johanna said sweetly, but she was fuming on the inside. Crown, not missing a beat started laughing. “I do believe you invited yourself,” Crown said as he walked over to my side. “Lara are you ok” he directed his question to Lara. “I’m fine. My cornbread died though,” she said pitifully. She looked totally dejected. I chuckled on the inside. What is it with that cornbread, I thought. I turned my attention back to Johanna. “You need to leave. Now,” I told her. “I’m not leaving. She should leave,” Johanna said as she pointed her finger toward