Page 17 of Happy Ending

When we finish the poster, Father Robert comes around to see it, praising us on the precision of the lettering, even though I did most of the work. He insists on taking a picture of me and Donovan standing next to our poster, which is most definitely something our mothers put him up to as well.

I offer a friendly smile and hand him my phone, posing with a thumbs up for the picture my mother will likely ask me to post on my social media. You know, for all of her friends who follow me to see how involved I am in my church community.

******

I asked Donovan to hang out after decorating, hoping he’ll eventually grow on me if I just give him a chance. To my surprise, he accepted my offer. To my demise, I now have to fill close to an hour’s drive with small talk.

I take Donovan to Starry Scoops. I hadn’t seen Thom in a good month or two, so I figured this would be a good way to knock out two birds with one stone.

Besides just getting things done, Thom just has a way of making me feel comfortable, and with Drew out of the picture, I could use some of that feeling.

“Laine!” Thom waves as soon as he sees us enter the shop.

“Hey, Thom! I’m sorry I haven’t been around much.

I’ve been pretty busy with church things, but I figured I’d pop in and see you.

” I walk up to the counter, gleaming from ear to ear.

It’s nice seeing Thom’s familiar face again, especially since it feels like I’ve been living in a completely different world after moving to Holy Trinity.

Don’t get me wrong, everyone there has been overly polite and welcoming to me, but it’s still nice to have an old friend who doesn’t have to ask your favorite color for lack of better conversation topics.

“This is Donovan, a frie-” I start, but decide not to outright friendzone him like this.

“He’s from Holy Trinity.” “Hey.” Donovan gives a half-wave and a smirk to Thom.

“Nice to meet ya, Donovan. I’m Thom, a good ol’ friend of Laine’s.

” Thom nods and smiles. “So uhh, you work… here?” Donovan looks Thom up and down and then takes in the parlor.

“Yeah, ma Pops owns the place. I help him run it.” “It’s um…

well, what do you have?” Donovan scans the flavors behind the horizontal freezer window, a distasteful look plastered across his face.

“Er- well, this week’s special is red velvet.

For the ol’ V day!” Thom turns to me, excitedly tapping the scoop on the counter.

“I’ll take a small cone of red velvet then!

” I say, pointing at the tub in the front row filled with soft red ice cream.

“One cone of red velvet comin’ right up!

” Thom scoops my ice cream and hands it to me with a smile.

“I guess I’ll just have a cup of vanilla,” Donovan says, still side-eyeing the array of flavors behind the glass.

Thom nods and scoops Donovan’s cup. Although my old elementary playground is a five-minute walk from Starry Scoops, I just can’t bring myself to take Donovan there.

Instead, I drive us to a nearby nature trail.

“So, you’re a granola girl, huh?” Donovan asks, walking close by my side.

“I don’t know if I’d say that,” I respond, carefully watching my feet follow one after the other on the concrete path.

We walk in silence for a good ten minutes, occasionally pointing out average-looking birds and kids stumbling on the ropes course.

Finally, Donovan starts a conversation. “Can I ask you a stupid question?” He turns his head to look at me, possibly for the first time since we got here.

“Yeah, go for it.” “Are you a true believer?” I stop in my tracks.

“What? Of course, I am.” “See, I told you it’s a stupid question!

Sometimes it just feels like your heart’s just not in it like mine is.

” “What do you mean by that?” “I don’t know, just forget it, okay?

” “You know, being a believer can look different ways. I may not express it like you do, but I am still a proud follower.” “I know,” he says quietly, averting his eyes back to the ropes course.

We walk in silence for a few more minutes until Donovan opens his mouth to drop another bomb on me.

“Can I ask you another question?” “I’m not so sure I want to say yes this time, but go ahead.

” I laugh, trying to ease the tension. “What happened with you and that girl you were cryin’ ‘bout in the restroom the other week?” My chest sinks at the sound of Donovan asking about Drew, like my two worlds are colliding, or at least acknowledging each other.

“What?” I say, using every ounce of my breath to do so.

“I don’t know, I’m just checkin’ up on ya.

Ya seemed pretty distraught.” My breathing quickens, and I try to calm it down, hoping he won’t notice.

“Well, it's exactly what I told you when you found me. We just became friends a little too fast and then had a normal friend fallout. That’s it.” “Are ya sure that’s it?

Ya know you can tell me if somethin’ else is botherin’ ya.

” I really can’t , I want to say. Instead, I bite my tongue and shake my head.

The rest of the walk feels unbearably long and heavy with uncomfortable tension.

******

After my walk with Donovan, I realized how badly I missed Thom’s presence. He was the one person besides Drew that I felt like myself around when I first moved back. I liked the girl I was with him, and it feels like I lost her. Since Drew is out of the picture, I only have him now.

Thom’s smiling face brings me comfort as I walk up to his table at our cafe.

He’s wearing a ridiculous trench coat again and carrying the briefcase I’ve become all too familiar with.

There are two cups of tea and my favorite muffin already on the table, only furthering my appreciation for his friendship.

“Heya, Laine! Been a while.” “Thom!” I hug him, startling him out of his seat. “Good to see you too!” He laughs. I take the seat across from him. “So, what’s new with