Chapter 7
“Tori, have you considered one of those online dating sites?” Rena asks as we’re walking down the hallway to our classrooms.
I stop outside my room then turn to look at her. “You’re joking, right?”
“Don’t you think it’s time?” she asks.
“Time? Time for what? That I replace Kyle?” I know Rena means well and it’s unfair of me to get short with her.
After dealing with Kyle’s cousin, though, I’m not sure I’ll ever date anyone again, much less get married.
Sharon acted as though I’d committed this huge crime for having gone out to eat with someone Kyle and I both adore—talk about being unfair.
“Nothing will ever replace Kyle. I’m not saying that at all. But you’re miserable, Tori. You need someone that can help you find happiness again. Someone who’s experienced the same heartbreak as you. There’s places that can connect you.”
“So, you’re suggesting I use a dating website? Are you kidding me, Rena? Do you really think those sites are legit? With so many predators out there today, a dating site is the last place I’d go to meet someone.”
“James and I met online. It’s not something we brag about, since so many people seem to look down on it,” Rena grins then leans her head towards me.
“We talked for several months before we decided to meet up in person. I won’t lie and tell you I wasn’t scared.
My little sister even volunteered to come along because I felt so uncomfortable about it. ”
“Seriously, that’s how you and James got together?” I look at Rena skeptically though I know she wouldn’t make something like that up.
“And look at us now. We’re happy as can be.”
“You’re one of the lucky ones then. Most everyone else has something horrific to say about those stupid sites. I just know it’s not for me, okay?”
“I thought I’d suggest it. At least online you can exchange images and know what the other person looks like before deciding to meet. Now blind dates, those are a different story. Definitely a no-no in my book,” Rena chuckles at her own comment.
“Let’s not even go there. I’ve had so many offers to set me up with their brother, cousin, or husband’s best friend, and my answer is still the same. No, no, and no. I’d like to think I’m not that hard up…yet.”
“If you change your mind about the dating site—” she begins but I quickly cut her off.
“Rena, no. I don’t want to meet someone that way. I just don’t.”
“Come on, let’s get our stuff packed so we can get out of here, okay?” she suggests and takes a couple steps towards her classroom across the hall from mine.
“I like the sound of that. Except we’ve got to promise each other we won’t go all summer long without spending some time together.”
“Tori, I love you my sweet friend. And please don’t hate me for saying this, but it’s okay for you to open your heart up to someone else. I really don’t think Kyle would want you to sit at home. I think he’d want you to get out and meet someone. He’d want you to find happiness again.”
“Well, that’s easier said than done.”
“Give it some thought. That’s all I’m asking.”
I spend the next hour walking boxes out to my car. I never realized how much stuff I had in in my classroom until now. Thank goodness the splinter that was in my foot hasn’t caused any issues and seems to be healing nicely. David…really took care of me that day.
I’m going to miss my students, but I’m ready for a break.
I’ve considered taking a trip somewhere, but I’m not sure how I’d feel going alone.
I know people travel all the time by themselves, but the thought of breaking down on the side of the road or even having a flat tire frightens me.
Who knows, maybe I’ll change my mind before school starts back up again.
Instead of battling the rain again, I leave my things in the back of the car and hurry inside the house.
I’ve not spoken to David since we went out to eat and I kind of miss him.
Not that we chatted on a daily basis, but he’s been good about checking in every couple of days.
He’s such a dear friend and I wish only the best for him.
It concerns me though that he’s still single, and the fact that he doesn’t really talk about dating anyone makes me think he prefers to be alone too.
At least when you’re single, you don’t have to worry about having your heart broken.
I don’t feel like cooking--it’s no fun cooking for just one—so I pop a frozen meal in the microwave and pour myself a glass of wine.
I still have a few things I need to tend to online with submitting final grades and such, and if I set my mind to it, maybe I can finish everything up tonight.
The sooner I can get it all turned in, it’s less I have to worry about later.
Rena recommended this new brand of wine and after my second glass, I’m in agreement with her—it’s better than any anything else I’ve tried lately. The price isn’t bad either.
I close my computer just shy of eight o’clock and push it to the center of my dining room table.
It’s funny, Kyle and I hardly ever ate here together.
The table was a hand-me-down from his sister when she needed to upgrade to a bigger one, but it’s still in near-perfect condition.
Even after all the years Kyle and I had it.
I grab my tablet and a throw blanket and curl up on the sofa. It’s been so long since I’ve read anything and now that I’ll have some time, I’m hopeful I can find something that’ll hold my interest. Nothing too suspenseful this time of the night, so maybe a delightful romcom or a meet-cute romance.
I make a couple selections, but before I get too comfy and engrossed into the story, the urge to go to the bathroom hits me.
I’m about to set my tablet down when my finger accidently closes out the reading app only to open up my email.
It’s been a few days since I’ve checked my inbox, and I briefly scan the list of unread messages.
Most appear to be sale alerts from a some of my favorite online stores, but one in particular catches my eye—it’s from the pizza place Kyle and I would often order from.
When his shift would happen to fall on a weekend, I’d often order a couple pizzas and take them down to the station. The guys always enjoyed having me stop by, and it gave me an opportunity to spend some quality time with my husband. And with David too.
We had some really good times down at the station—everyone truly felt like family—and I’m sad that it all suddenly came to a halt following Kyle’s death.
I’ve thought about surprising them all by stopping by, but then I talk myself out of it at the last minute.
Who knows, maybe I’ll find the courage to do it again—before everyone forgets all about me.
When I’m down to the last email, I’m not sure if I should laugh or cry.
Because when I read the subject line, Find Singles in Your Area, I can only think about Rena.
I know it’s coincidental that this showed up in my inbox, but I’m reminded of our conversation earlier today.
Rather than delete it like I’ve done the countless others over the last several months, I foolishly click on it and wait for the full message to display on the screen.
I realize it’s not an actual email being sent to me directly but an advertisement, and I let out a sigh of relief. Rena better be thankful! For a moment I thought she might’ve had something to do with it.
Images of couples suddenly appear across the screen and I look away to keep from laughing.
These people can’t be serious—there’s no way to discover your next relationship this way.
It gets even better though. Because when I click the highlighted link for Find Love in Gorman Valley, I notice they’ve helped me out by pre-filling information about me.
I’m not sure if it’s the wine I had earlier that makes me do it, or if I’m truly this curious, but I fill out the remaining information and submit it.