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“Lily, don’t be afraid of your fears. Make friends with them.” As I got older he would say, “Fear isn’t your enemy. It’s your motivator.”
    I miss him.
    I found my daddy’s old guitar and brought it into the living room. He had it propped up against the wall in his bedroom. I imagined him playing it at night when the world was quiet, and wanting to feel close to him I pulled it across my lap and started playing. The song I played was Allison Krauss’s version of “When You Say Nothing At All.” It was one of my favorites, the words pure and sweet. I sang the verses and allowed myself to feel the music. I played a few more songs and by that time I was sleepy. I brushed my teeth and climbed into bed. Lying there before drifting off, visions of Cooper’s eyes played in my head. Eyes are the gateway to a person’s soul and his were mesmerizing. Dark chocolate in color and absolutely beautiful, but more than that even, they were sincere and kind. Getting lost in them was easy to do, and it took everything I had to look away whenever I found myself getting lost in them.
    Morning came and I got up and made a pot of coffee. Cream and two sugars was the way I liked it. I managed to somehow sleep until eight thirty, which was the latest I’d slept in ages. My phone was buzzing so I picked it up. A text message from Cooper sent earlier at six o’clock:
     
    Up early and couldn’t sleep. Going to work but wanted to say Good Morning. ~C
     
    Good Morning back! Thank you. Hope you have a good day.
     
    I set my phone down on the kitchen table while I looked for something to eat. Frosted Flakes it is. I was pouring my cereal in the bowl when my phone buzzed again.
     
    My day is better already. Would you let me take you to dinner tonight?
     
    Sure. Sounds great. I should be home by four o’clock. What time?
     
    I’ll be there at seven.
     
    Ok. See ya then.
     
    There was no sense in pretending that didn’t put a great big smile on my face. I was totally giddy from getting a morning text from him. If I could jump and click my heels like I’ve seen people do I would! I ate my Frosted Flakes, grinning the whole time. The. Whole. Time.
    I got to work and was immediately greeted by Beth. She was blonde, cute, young and sweet. She welcomed me from the first day I started working there about three weeks before. She introduced me to all the regulars, showed me the ropes, and we were instantly friends.
    “Lily, I can’t WAIT to tell you about my date,” she squealed, running up to me.
    “That’s right, how did it go? What was his name again?”
    “Jack. Ohmigod, Lily, he’s so hot! I really like him. He took me to dinner and a movie and we had the best time!” She did this little thing where she clapped her hands together super-fast with just the tips of her fingers. I noticed she only does that when she gets excited about something.
    “Aw, that’s great. I’m glad you like him.” I gave her a big hug and an approving nod. “When do y’all go out again?” I headed off to put my purse in the back room and she followed me the whole way, gushing.
    “Not until Friday night. Don’t know where we’re going yet but I’m so excited!”
    “I’m excited for you!” I really was. It was hard not to have her positive energy spill over and not affect the nearest person to her. She was oozing excitement and enthusiasm.
    “What about you, Lily? Anything exciting happen to you this weekend?”
    Gosh, should I say anything? Cooper and I had hung out together for the first time, and it was wonderful, but should I mention it? I mean, we were just getting to know each other and doing the whole friend thing and all, so….
    “Don’t think I didn’t notice your own grin walking in here this morning,” she said with a smirk. “Come on. Spill.”
    “It’s nothing. I spent some time with Ms. Sophie’s grandson yesterday.”
    “And who is her grandson?”
    “Cooper,” I said looking away. “All we did