"Tay? Tay? YO, TAY!"
I snapped my thoughts from last night back to rehearsal. "Yeah?"
Ike shook his head disapprovingly. "We're gonna take it from the bridge. Okay?"
I nodded my head.
Halfway through the bridge, Zac suddenly threw his drumsticks up in dispair. "Tay! What is with you, man? You're totally off!"
"I'm sorry. I guess my mind is somewhere else," I said, embarrassed by my inability to focus. Then again, Laura always had that effect on me.
We made our way up from the basement into Ike's kitchen. His wife, Rebecca, was great. Not only did she agree to us using the basement for rehearsal, but she always made sure there was something in the fridge for Zac and I to eat. She had insisted on making the basement soundproof though. Now that I think about it, it was a smart move - especially with the baby coming and all.
"So, Tay, care to talk about it?" Ike asked while slipping the left-over pot roast into the microwave.
I most certainly did. My emotions had been caught up in a whirlwind, and I was thoroughly confused. I needed help sorting everything out. "I saw Laura yesterday."
Ike and Zac stared at me wide-eyed and jaws dropped. "Laura? Laura DiGiacamo?" Zac managed to spit out.
"What did you do? Did she say anything?" asked Ike, taking the seat at the kitchen table across from me.
I nodded my head yes. "I met up with her last night. She told me 'something happened,' so she and her family moved back to New Jersey."
"Well, what was the 'something'?" asked Ike.
"I don't know. She said she couldn't tell me because she was afraid and trying to protect me," I answered, trying to make sense of it all.
"Afraid but protecting you? She sounds confused," said Ike.
"More like a liar," Zac said angerily. When Laura didn't come back, Zac ended up taking the brunt of my disheveled mood. As a result, he wasn't a big Laura fan.
"Guys, I'm so confused. I know I should be angry... Hell, I AM angry! It's just... well... I don't know if I can stand having her here in Tulsa and... well... not be with her. Ya know?"
Ike nodded his head, but Zac shook his disapprovingly. "Tay, she hurt you. She broke your heart for Christ's sake! You deserve better." Zac's face was red with anger.
Ike, on the other hand, had a totally different take on the subject. "Maybe you SHOULD meet up with her one more time. See if you can get more information out of her. She owes you AT LEAST that much. Then, take it from there." He shrugged as if to show it was a decision only I could make.
"So, where did you meet up with her anyway?" Ike asked, setting the reheated pot roast on the kitchen table.
"Well, I first bumped into her at the supermarket. But we met to talk last night at the pond behind her house," I explained.
This information sent Zac into a complete rage. "You bumped into her at the supermarket!?! You mean she's been here and hasn't tried to contact you!?! Not only that, but she throws that lame explaination at you where the two of you first kissed!?! Tay, she's a player! I'm telling you, STAY AWAY!"
As Zac's words echoed through my head, my anger returned. Suddenly, the spacious kitchen was too small. I had to get out, and FAST. I stood up and made my way to the door.
"Where are you going, Tay?" Ike's voice was filled with concern.
"Out. I need air and to clear my head."
I headed for the park on foot and sighed. Laura is the only girl who ever had, and ever will, turn my world completely upside down.