Healed by J. S. Cooper

said no more dogs.” Anna laughed as she told me stories about her pets and I smiled back at her eager look. It was refreshing to be with someone who had no agenda and was open and honest.
    “Bongo sounds like a handful.” I cleared my throat and coughed after I spoke.
    “I’m sorry.” She cleared her throat , nervously. “I didn’t mean to bore you.”
    “You’re not boring me.” I took her hand and squeezed it. “In fact, I appreciate you spending the evening with me.”
    “You’re easy to talk to. Like Eddie was.” She looked up at me with wide, innocent eyes. “He was a cool guy. You know, he always used to call me the prettiest tutor in the world.”
    “You really miss Eddie , don’t you?”
    “No one ever called me pretty before.” She stared at her fingers, blushing. “Not that I expect it or anything. I know I’m a bit of a plain Jane.”
    “But you’re gorgeous.” I protested quickly.
    Anna laughed and flicked her h air back. “You don’t have to lie. I know I’m a bit of a wallflower. But he really made me feel pretty.”
    My heart broke for her as she spoke. I’d never seen anyone with that little self-confidence before. Maybe she needed to trade a little with Suzannah , who had an over abundance of confidence.
    “You’re a good guy , Bryce. I never really saw what Lexi saw in you in high school, but I think I get it now.”
    “You think so?” I grinned and she laughed.
    “Well you know.” She shrugged. “You were always such a jerk. It was like you thought you were King of the school.”
    “Well break it to me easy, why don’t cha?”
    “Sorry. I’m not one to mince my words.” She laughed. “I supported Lexi and her crush, though. I wasn’t really worried because I never thought you’d be interested in her.”
    “She’s really liked me a long time , huh?”
    “Yeah.” She nodded her head, despondently. “I can’t believe I did that to her.”
    “Hey,” I grab bed her hands. “It took two to tango.”
    “I guess.” She looked away and I felt awful for making her feel bad.
    “Do you want another milkshake?” I slurped up the rest of my strawberry shake and she laughed.
    “With some chili cheese fries?”
    “You like chili cheese fries?” My mouth fell open.
    “With lots of onions on them!” She laughed. “I’m not the sort of girl who worries about her breath.”
    “That wasn’t what I meant.”
    “Farts?” She looked puzzled and I laughed even harder.
    “No. I meant most girls are watching their figures.”
    “Oh.” She joined in with my laughter. “I’m not worried about it.”
    “I can see why.” I look ed her up and down and admired her figure. I wanted to kick myself as she blushed at my look over.
    “Have you spoken to Lexi recently?” I wanted to punch myself for asking after I saw the disappointment in her face at my question.
    “No.” She looked around the restaurant. “Did you want to ask me something about her?”
    “No.” I wrack ed my brain for something to say. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something else. Something Lexi can’t know about.”
    “Oh?” She frowned and looked at me with a disconcerted look. “You didn’t cheat with someone else as well, did you?”
    “No.” I frowned. Did she really think that lowly of me? For some reason it really hurt me to hear her ask that question. It was ridiculous that I should feel bad about it but I couldn’t stop the jab of pain that ran through me.
    “Okay.” She wiped her brow. “I was about to say.”
    “Do you want to know something? I feel like my mom is here with me.” I looked down, embarrassed at my honesty. I was scared that she would think I was crazy.
    “You do?” She leaned towards me.
    “Yeah. Does that sound strange? I feel like my mom is guiding me into doing something to change my life.”
    “That doesn’t sound strange. I talk to my mom every night.” She looked away quickly. “I hope you don’t think I’m crazy.”
    “I