Back to Life by Danielle Allen Read Free Book Online Page A

president, diplomat, foreign leader, anyone really.”
    “Hmmmm…President Obama,” I said, cocking my head to the side.
    “You look ed like you weren’t sure. Who were you debating against?” he asked.
    “It was a toss-up between him and Michelle. I love the FLOTUS!” I proclaimed.
    “Me too,” he agreed.
    “Do I get to ask you a random question now?” I wondered with a raised eyebrow.
    “Yes,” he continued laughingly, “should I be worried?”
    “What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?”
    “Oh man… I don’t even want to go there!” he groaned playfully.
    “Oh no you don’t! You said I could ask you anything so spill it!”
    “Okay… but just so we are clear, it’s against our friendship rules for you to bring this up. Ever!” he warned with laugh.
    “Spill. It!” I said with a giggle. Did I just giggle? What the hell?
    “Okay . A couple of years ago, I was a groomsman in Malik’s wedding. Malik is my best friend Bennett’s cousin. Both Bennett and I were groomsmen.  And let me just put this out there: Bennett is an ass. He is my boy for life but he is an ass. So it’s me, Bennett, and the two other dudes toasting Malik in the smoking room.  Since undergrad, I hardly ever drink anymore, but I told them I’d have one glass to toast this occasion. Malik has been through a lot. And to see him so happy, it made us all happy. Anyway, I don’t know what Bennett put in my glass but it snuck up on me…right in time for the speech.  Sahara, if it wasn’t for the video, I wouldn’t have a clue as to what I said.  Let’s just say, I started quoting Nas.  I might have freestyled a little bit.  And this lasted for 5 or 6 long minutes. Finally, my grandfather came up and put me out of my misery.  Everyone was laughing. Worst. Night. Ever,” Ty concluded with a laugh.
    Catching my breath since I had been laughing through most of his s tory, I put my hands against my chest and felt my heart racing.  I hadn’t laughed that hard in years. It felt good. So for the next 20 minutes, we reexamined the entire reception: did Bennett ever tell him what was in the glass, what was the reaction of the guests, what was his reaction when he saw the tape, etc.  It felt natural and good and normal. Once we finished laughing, I realized we were just staring at one another with huge smiles on our faces.
    Breaking our eye contact, I looked past him toward the door as more people exited.
    “Did you drive or do you need a ride home?” Ty asked as we watched a group of twenty-somethings sing “ Locked Out Of Heaven” off key and extremely loud.
    “I took a taxi here,” I replied, looking back at him.
    “I f you are interested in staying for a little while, I could give you a ride home. I’m not leaving out of here until about 2:30am though. This is my baby and I want to see everything through,” he explained, endearing me with his eyes.
    I thought about it for a second before responding, “I should get home.”  Being around him was easy, too easy, and I didn’t need to get too comfortable. Even though I really want to stay around him , I realized when the thought flashed in my mind. For the first time in a week, I had gone a significant amount of time without thinking about the hearing or my past. When I thought about going home to have another sleepless night verses conversing with Ty and warding off the memories, the pain, and the hurt, the choice was obvious. “I should get home,” I continued, “but I think I could hang out for a little longer.” I smiled coyly.
    Ty smiled wide as a look of relief washed over his face. “Good,” he exclaimed. Now let me show you around.” Putting his hand on the small of my back, he guided me back to the large doors of Jimmy’s.  The restaurant closed at midnight so all the activity was upstairs in the lounge.  Smiling at Marie, we passed her and went through the restaurant door.  The restaurant had a beautiful open layout