Something Wonderful by M. Clarke Read Free Book Online

boyfriends were even hotter than him,” she giggled, evidently thinking of something or someone else.
    Suddenly, she looked lost in thought. “Are you okay?”
    Becky didn’t answer my question, but instead she asked, “Do you know why I needed a roommate?”
    “No, I didn’t care about the reason. I was desperate. You and I had just met and I really needed a place to stay. I couldn’t stay at my apartment after what had happened with my roommate and my ex.”
    “I needed one because my roommate got into a car accident. She died in the hospital.”
    I felt the blood drain out of me and I was sure my face was as white as the wall behind me. It wasn’t too long ago that I was in the hospital. Becky must have gone through such a rough time, especially since it must have reminded her of the tragic loss. Maybe that was the reason Becky’s mood had been so unsteady lately. It started the day after I came home from the hospital. “I’m so sorry, Becky.” I ran to her and held her tightly.
    “There’s more.” Her head stuck up from the empty space around my arm. Releasing her, I pulled out the chair next to her and listened intently. “She died because of me. I let her drive drunk. It was my fault.” Tears started to flow down her cheeks. “I was pretty wasted myself, but I was alert enough not to get in the car with her. I tried everything to get her out of the car, but she wouldn’t listen and I couldn’t think straight. I realized too late that I should have taken her car keys.”
    “Becky, it’s not your fault. You can’t blame this on yourself. That is too much of a burden.”
    She wiped her tears, brought her knees up to her chest and started to rock slowly.
    I know…but I know you wouldn’t have let me drive,” she said with conviction, looking right at me.
    “Of course I wouldn’t now, but who is to say what I would have done back then? We’re more mature now and we know better. There are things that we’ll always regret. Hopefully not too many; but in the end, it all comes down to the decisions we make as individuals. You tried to stop your friend, but it was her choice to drive drunk. Just like, you didn’t force me to give Max a chance, but I did. You were certainly an influence, but you didn’t make me. We learn from the past to make the future better, okay?”
    Becky nodded, but I wasn’t sure she was sincere, or if she believed it. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to think I would make an awful friend or roommate.”
    “And if you had told me years ago, I would still be around and still be thinking you’re the best friend anyone could wish for.” I dove in for another hug and held her until she was ready to let go.
    “Thanks,” she said, wiping her tears again. “I needed that.”
    “You can tell me anything; I’ll never judge you.”
    “I know. That’s why I love you,” Becky said, giving me the most heartfelt smile.
    I’m glad we had that talk. The guilt must have been eating her up all these years. Then, I wondered if some of the things she had done that I had often questioned, was her way of coping with that guilt. The excessive drinking, going through boys like they were nothing…maybe hoping for the one that would help her forget.
    It was close to midnight and tomorrow would be my first day back at work. I had promised Max I would spend the night, so after Becky headed for her room, I headed to Max’s place.

I FELT BETTER GETTING that off my chest last night, but I hadn’t told Jenna the whole truth. I failed to mention my roommate had killed someone else in that accident. I know she wouldn’t judge me, but that was my guilt that I needed to come to terms with.
    After giving several offers to excited authors, I headed out to the mall. I needed to mail my parents’ gifts and get something especially nice for Jenna, Nicole, and Kate. There was still a week and a half left until Christmas, but I knew that the closer it got, the crazier the mall