Crashing Souls by Cynthia A. Rodriguez Read Free Book Online Page B

is on my ass.”
    I tossed it to him and sat back, content.
    And I wondered, had I had someone like Ralph in my old life? I sure hoped so.

Chapter 7
    D
on’t lose sight of your purpose. Find her. Bring me light. Give me hope.
    I was used to waking up slowly, the words following me like a whisper. But this morning, I woke like a light switch, the words coming to me like someone said them right into my ear.
    I sat up, groaning when I realized I was up a full half hour before my alarm. Monday had come like a bullet—fast and leaving me full of dread.
    Find her. Find her? I didn’t know anyone besides Ralph in that school. Tracey wasn’t exactly the best person to bring this up to. She freaked out at the thought of me leaving the house, let alone going on a journey to find the supposed love of my life.
    Sessie. I didn’t know much about Sessie other than her optimism when it came to things pertaining to life and heaven. She seemed sweet, but I’d have to go alone on this. After all, I’d been told not to tell anyone. I didn’t dare question it because it seemed like solid advice.
    It could take years. I was slow, still healing from being hit by a car. Luck definitely wasn’t on my side. At this rate, I’d never find her. Were we even in the same state? The same country?
    I heard my door crack open and Tracey walked in with two mugs.
    “Oh, you’re up.” She set one down on my nightstand. “I thought I’d leave this here for you when you woke up. Help ease your nerves. Or mine. Whatever.” She shrugged and took a sip of her coffee.
    “ Do you think soul mates exist, Tracey?” My voice was rough and sleepy. I sat up, eager to hear her response.
    “Hmm. I don’t know how to answer that. On one hand, I’m a woman who likes to think so. I’m not exactly a younger gal anymore. I don’t have time to go gallivanting off into the sunset with Brad Pitt. On the other hand, I have a teenager asking me this question. You’ll find fault in anything I say.”
    “No.” I shook my head. “I’m not asking to make fun of you. I’m asking because I genuinely want to know what you think.”
    She looked at me with curiosity before sitting at my desk and setting her mug down. She sat forward and hunched her shoulders a bit, looking up at the ceiling in thought.
    “I’ve always wanted to believe it. But what about the people who stay alone their whole life? I don’t want to believe it because what if I end up like them? It isn’t something I’m fit to live with. I crave partnership. But what if, by some stroke of bad luck, I miss him? What then?” She paused. “I guess I do think we have soul mates. Does everyone end up with theirs? I don’t think so. But, because I’m greedy, I hope we both do.”
    I liked her answer more than I was willing to admit.
    “Enough talk about soul mates and your crazy aunt not wanting to be alone. Let’s get you ready for your first day back. Have you picked out your clothes? You used to always do that. Quite the old man, you were.” She muttered the last bit to herself.
    I chuckled and shook my head. “Seems I outgrew that habit.”
    She ran her fingers over my keyboard. “This may be a little hopeful but have…you remembered?” After she asked, her eyes slid to mine, waiting for a miracle.
    “ Mhm.” I couldn’t muster a better response; one enough to give her happiness but not too much to give her hope in other aspects of my life. She nodded with eyes large and round and left the room slowly without another word. I hoped she wasn’t off crying somewhere. I lay back on my bed, running my hands over my face.
    •••
    The bells ringing around the emptying hall startled me, causing me to drop my books and watch as they scattered across the floor. I glared at the bright blue lockers, huffing as I prepared to fail at picking up the textbooks.
    If they’d let me carry my book bag instead of forcing me to keep it in my locker like everyone else, this wouldn’t be an