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so much, but she viewed me as the strong one. Being strong all the time was exhausting. I just wanted to curl up into a ball and cry. I needed someone to be my rock for a change. But so far, Dane had been the only one who had ever managed to be strong for me. He had been my shield from everything that went wrong in my world. I should count my blessings that I had him for fourteen years, but right now I was just trying to wrap my mind around doing this alone. Always alone.
    Turning into my trailer park, I had no idea how I had even gotten home. I was consumed with sadness.
    Overwhelmed by the notion that I was alone. Again .
    What did they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger? But, the losses I had incurred in my life had killed parts of me, making me want to bury my head in the sand so I didn’t have to deal with anything around me. But, that wasn’t possible. I had to deal with things. There was no choice in the matter.
    When I pulled up in front of my meager place, Dane’s best friend Randy was leaning against his truck, waiting for me. He came toward my car to open my door when I parked. Taking his hand to get out, I looked up into his kind face. Randy had always tried to be there for me, but for some reason I couldn’t let him in. I had always kept him at arm’s length. But here he was, showing me again his faithfulness.
    “Lindy, you look beat. Is everything okay?”
    “I just left Ro at the hospital. Todd had an accident on the rig, but he’s going to be fine,” I said, wiping a quick tear away from my eye. Crying in front of anyone just wasn’t an option.
    “I had no idea. Is it bad?”
    “They had to do surgery, and he needs time to recover, but he was lucky.”
    “That’s good. I know how much Ro and Todd mean to you. I’m glad he’s going to be okay. I brought coffee and breakfast sandwiches. I thought we could hang out together if you’re up for it.”
    “I’m starving, so food would be great. Come on in.”
    Randy followed behind me with a bag in one hand and coffee in the other as we entered my trailer. Sitting at my small kitchen table, Randy looked different to me; mature—handsome. Why hadn’t I noticed his good looks before? Probably because Dane had always been the only one for me.
    “So, is Ro still going with you to Maui?” he asked as he slid a breakfast sandwich toward me.
    “No, she needs to take care of Todd.”
    “You’re going by yourself?” he asked, his brow furrowing.
    “Looks like it,” I said, uncertain of where Randy was going with this.
    “I could go with you if you’d like.”
    I hesitated at the thought of him coming with me. Not knowing if it was a good idea or not I kind of shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m meant to do this on my own. Stand on my own two feet and find closure. But I appreciate you offering.” I didn’t know what else to say. He had caught me off guard.
    Randy smiled. “I’d like you to find closure and be able to move on too. I’ll be here waiting for you when you get back.”
    Huh? He’ll be here waiting? “What do you mean? You’re always here for me,” I said, trying to push him away. This was becoming way too real for me. I wanted to sprout wings and fly far, far away. I couldn’t take on any more emotions this morning.
    Randy exhaled. “What I’m trying to say is that I want to be with you. I’ve cared about you for a long time and I’d like the chance to spend some time with you.”
    My gut instinct was to tell him I wasn’t ready. But I didn’t. It was time to give someone a chance and Randy was a good man. “I would like to spend time with you too, Randy.” The words came out before I fully realized what I was saying. I had entered uncharted territory and I was uncertain of what I was doing. But I had already said it and I couldn’t reel the words back into my mouth.
    Taking my hand Randy said, “Good. Then how about we go out to dinner when you get back? You’re only going for a few