But Patrick is not one to lose hope at the first taste of rejection. It’s not until last call, when he hears the fat man sing, “I love it when you... call me Big Poppa,” and has no flesh to rub up on, does Pat call it quits.Regardless, Gerald dived into the sea of sweat hoping to find Patrick.Now dead center in this school of drunk fish, like a shark biting into a surfers dangling calf, a hand suddenly clasped Gerald’s ass, it’s fingers sinking deep into his glute.Gerald jolted forward, spilling. A wide smile breaks out across my face. I'm sure I can rely on Connie! In fact I have never felt happier about Connie than I do now.The phone rings. Against my better judgement I pick it up. It's Angela."Jenny, thank goodness, you're back. We really have to talk. As soon as possible. Are you coming up to the university tomorrow?"I listen to Angela without saying anything. She still doesn't stop to ask how I am and if she feels any remorse or even questions her actions after her encounter with. Haven't you wanted that all along? Why else did you wait for me on that horse rail?" I know you'll love me," she said quietly, "but you can't tame me. I'll still be me." Of course you will," I replied "I don't want to change you. You'll need to make some compromises, like telling me where you're going and not bonking me with sculpting hammers..." This brought a laugh, "…but I don't want to squash your creativity. I want to help you so you can more fully express it."Elkie got out of the car. If my friends are capable ofextending me a little grace at my lapses in memory then they are thefriends I want to keep. If not, I can always find new friends." All mymom could do was say, "Awww." and hugged me.I was so glad to get home later that morning. My dad and brother hadbeen waiting for us. My brother surprised me with a big hug andconcerned words. He'd never been so protective over me before. My dadtold me I needed a kiss from his beautiful daughter. If this was whatlife was like for a.