Page 43 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
“But since I am leaving, we should totally have a little fun tonight,” Melody suggested.
“Fun?” Liz’s shoulders tensed again.
“Yeah. It was nice to see Bri, of course, but it was a prison. I wouldn’t exactly call that a good time.”
Strangely enough, Liz had always enjoyed going to visit Bri. It used to be surreal, seeing women in uniform blue jumpsuits and knowing they weren’t allowed to leave. Now, Liz didn’t think twice. It was Bri’s reality. “Okay, what do you want to do for fun?”
“Well, we should go out on the town. What is there to do for nightlife on the isle these days?”
Liz wasn’t sure what to say. “I don’t usually go out at night. Night driving is a lot riskier than day driving.”
Melody halfway rolled her eyes as she glanced over. She returned her eyes to the road before Liz could say anything.
Liz took a breath, reminding herself that she was still in her twenties. She should act like it once in a while. “Oliver’s has dancing and music. It’s also within walking distance of my house if we drink.”
Melody beat a palm against the steering wheel. “Yes! Perfect. We’ll definitely have drinks. A girls’ night with dancing and drinks is just what the doctor ordered for both of us. Who knows. Maybe Matt will be there. You like him, right?”
Liz whipped her head to the side, a burn crawling through her cheeks. “What? No. We’re just friends.”
“You sure? I thought I sensed something between you two after our little wreck the other day.”
“You sensed nothing more than a mutual respect for each other.”
“I see.” Melody nodded. “Then who are you dating? Anyone?”
“No.” Liz shook her head, shifting restlessly in her seat.
“Why not? Melody asked.
Liz was growing increasingly uncomfortable with the conversation. “Nosy much?”
“Yes.” Melody nodded. “By nature. And out of concern. I want to make sure you’re okay. I know I haven’t always been here for you, but I want to know what’s going on in your life.”
Liz sighed, watching the world pass by through the passenger window. “Well, I’m not much of a dater. I have a panic anxiety disorder.”
Melody was quiet for a moment. “Yes, I know. And?”
“And it’s not exactly easy to be in a relationship with PAD, okay? I’ve dated in the past and one episode of mine typically sends a guy running. They’re gone so quick they can barely mutter a goodbye. It’s embarrassing, really.”
“Those guys are jerks then. Not all of them will act like that, and you can’t spend your life being afraid that they will.”
The hypocrisy in Melody’s tone was almost comical. “Well, I can’t spend it running away either, can I?” Liz asked.
Melody drew back. “Hey, we’re talking about you, not me. And you’re changing the subject.”
Liz grabbed hold of the side door. She needed to hold onto something. “It’s not like I have a choice of whether I live in fear. I just do. It’s just there. And it won’t go away, no matter what I do or who I date.”
Melody reached over, her voice lowering, her teasing gone. “I’m sorry. Have you talked to someone?”
“Two hands on the wheel,” Liz ordered, trying not to let her emotions escape. She did her best to keep a tight rein on them.
Melody pulled her hand back to the steering wheel, quiet for a moment.
“Of course I’ve spoken to someone,” Liz said quietly. “I’ve been in and out of therapy for anxiety since I was eighteen. I’m on medication, of course. I’ve meditated and tried yoga. It might help a tiny bit, but it doesn’t fix it. It doesn’t fixme.This is just who I am now.”
The wordnowfelt heavy.Nowthat Alyssa was gone.Nowthat we’ve all grown up and gone in separate directions.Nowthat life was different and would never be the same again. Liz had always struggled with anxiety, even when they were in elementary school, butnowit was different.
They grew quiet until Melody pulled into Liz’s driveway.
