Finding My Way Home by Alina Man

would’ve waited a few minutes, he would’ve been happy to see me slap the crap out of that punk for even trying to pull such a dumb move on me.  But like he said, it was all in the past. 
    Gigi arrives at eight on the dot and her excitement is contagious. Her arms are full of bags and by the looks of it, she must’ve purchased the entire liquor store. 
    “Damn girl what did you do?  Looks like you got a little crazy here, don’t you think?”
    She laughs out loud and pushes me towards the kitchen.  “Come on move it before my arms fall off.  Don’t judge me ok?  I don’t get to have time off very often so you should feel very special that I left my kid with a sitter just to spend time with you.”  She starts pulling bottles out and all kinds of containers filled with food and my heart melts at the look of it all.  None of my Boston friends ever did anything so sweet for me.
    “My dearest friend I’m going to make you my special pineapple rum juice to help you forget all your problems.”   I grab some glasses, paper plates and utensils and I watch her mix the magic potion.  It looks good and I know that we’ll be wasted if we finish it all.  This is going to be one long night.
    “So where’s your hunk of a boyfriend?” she asks and pushes one full glass in front of me.
    “Oh, Boston.”   The orangey liquid is sweet and warms its way down to my stomach, instantly relaxing me.
    “What do you mean Boston?  When did he leave?”  It suddenly hits me that she’s referring to Noah and I have to explain to her what the situation is.
    “Gosh Brenie I’m so sorry about your nana.  She was such a sweet lady and I know how close you guys were.”
    “Yeah I’m sorry too.  I guess I never really thought the time would come when I would have to let her go.  I took her for granted.  I took it all for granted.” I finish my drink faster than I should and before I know it, Gigi fills my empty glass again.
    “So what’s the deal with Noah? I mean the way he looks at you, it’s just crazy.  I remember how you guys were when we were kids.  He was so protective of you and I don’t know, he just always loved you.  Everyone was so sure that you’d get married and have a bunch of kids together.”
    “Yeah well sometimes things just don’t work out.  Besides we were so young.  What do you really know about love at thirteen?”  Gigi doesn’t answer; instead she opens up the containers and fills her plate with food.
    “I stopped at the diner on my way here since I figured you wouldn’t have any food.  Come on let’s eat before we get drunk. Remember back in high school when we went to Marty’s house and she got so drunk she puked for hours.  We were so freaking scared that she was going to die.”  
    “And you started crying like a baby because you were afraid your mom would find out about it and kick your butt,” we burst out laughing just remembering that night.  I grab a plate and put a little of everything on it. We sit on the floor eating and going down memory lane.  “So tell me about your son.  Are you still with that guy?  What was his name?”
    “Nah, he was long gone after I gave birth to my little James.  Haven’t heard from him and honestly I like it this way.  He doesn’t pay child support and has no contact with his son.  I was really hurt at first but with my mom’s help I was able to make it without his help.”
    I watch my old friend and can’t help but feel so proud of her.  It takes a lot of courage to be able to do all of that on your own and she still manages to keep a smile on that pretty face of hers.  “Well cheers to you Gigi for being such a brave girl.  I can’t even begin to imagine what it must’ve been like to be so young and with a baby.  You seem happy.” It wasn’t a question but more of a statement.  She really looked happy.
    “ Why should I be sad?  You learn to deal with what life throws your way, you know?  And James’s