I headed off to class happy beyond my wildest dreams. I was glad to finally be able to talk about it with a friend. “Dude!” I almost yelled at J...ake, “I got a date tonight?”“Wow, really?” he sounded a little unbelieving and I didn’t really blame him, “With who?”“Katey… Um… I don’t know her last name,” now I sounded stupid, “Jen and Lisa’s friend, the red-head. She’s a junior.”He nodded, but I’m not sure he really knew her. When we got to his house we were surprised by little sister Jackie. She had no doubtat all that he really meant every word. But all that was secondary toher own need to patch things up with him. She barely realized she washeading toward him until she pulled one of the chairs out and sat downat the table near him.Apologizing was never easy, but she knew that she had to apologize forsome of the things she had done to him as well. "I... I've beenreckless," she said before she even knew what she was going to say."I've done things to you and hurt you in ways. Then her Momma went on: “New job starts tomorrow?”“Yes,” Allura said, “And I’m kind of nervous, although they were very, very nice to me at both interviews.”“You are excellent for the position,” her Momma said. “Please call me and tell me how it goes.”“I will,” Allura said, and then rang off with: “I love you, Momma.”“I love you too, my darling,” her Momma said, before hanging up.MONDAY MORNING:Allura was indeed a bit nervous. They got her oriented and showed her where her office was located.. ”“Yeah, ” I agreed, looking forward to the opportunity to be left alone with just Crystal. “Sounds like a plan.”However, I barely passed even two words with Crystal before we were interrupted, this time by two long-haired young men puffing on Marlboros and dressed in jeans and tee-shirts.“Hey, gals, mind if we join you for a beer?” asked the one with blond hair.“Well, as a matter of fact... ” I began, fully intending to tell them to fuck off.“Of course we don’t mind, ” said Crystal sweetly. “We.