Finding My Way Home Read Free Page B

went against their wishes and applied to Boston University. The day the letter came in the mail I thought my heart would burst with happiness and yet my nana could not stop crying.  It’s as if she knew the big city would change me forever.  No matter how many times I promised her that things would stay the same she knew better; she would just pat my cheek, smile and say that all she wanted was for me to be happy.              Subconsciously, I lift my hand and touch my cheek and for a moment I can still feel her warm fingers lingering there.  If I could go back in time I know I wouldn’t leave, I know I would stay as close to them as I could and never miss another chance to let them know just what they meant to me.
    The first three years of college were really hard on all of us but I managed to come home every holiday and every break I got, always calling to make sure they were ok.  It was the last year of college that ruined it all for me; for us.  I finally gave in to the pressure and started socializing more. Drinking and partying like my life depended on it.  I no longer wanted to fly home during the holidays; instead I was more interested in going out to clubs and living life, as my roommate so often said. 
    It was spring break and we decided to go to this new club called The Atlas.  Not a very cool name for a club but it was famous for its techno music and cheap drinks.  We piled in to my old Honda, all dressed to impress and acting as silly as we could because we thought we were cooler than everyone else.  There was no line to get into the club so we had no problems at the door. We danced our way in like the divas we were.  And in the mist of bright neon lights, loud euro beats, and 80s style attire, Joe stood out like a sore thumb dressed in his snazzy suit and tie, his eyes searching the room.   
    Our eyes met and like the naïve school girl I was, I instantly fell in love. All it took was his crooked dimpled smile to make my knees turn into jello and before I knew it, my friends were pushing me towards the bar.
    “Go say hi and have some fun,” Mayra yelled to make sure I heard over the loud music. “Just don’t think about it; live a little girl.” I pushed my way towards him and just before I reached the bar I turned around, making sure I was not alone.  My friends were no longer behind me but dancing wildly to the captivating rhythm.  I looked back at the bar where the beautiful stranger was watching me like a hungry wolf about to have his first meal of the day.  His smile never faltered and the closer I got, the more enthralled I became.  I did not find out his name that evening.  There was no room for friendly conversation; instead we danced and drank and danced some more.  It wasn’t until the next day when I awoke in his apartment that reality hit, and I could almost taste the bitter regret.  How could I give away my most prized possession (as my nana called it) to someone I didn’t even know; someone I met at a bar and who didn’t even give me his name. 
    He was still asleep, sprawled on his stomach his face towards me.  I could tell he was not wearing anything under the sheets that covered half of his toned body, the sight of him making me flush with embarrassment.  I pushed myself as close to the edge of the bed as I could in hopes that I would be able to slip out without him knowing. Just as I was almost up, I felt him stir. 
    “Are you running away,” he smile d through sleeping eyes. I froze in place, trying to hide my naked body with what looked like a man’s shirt. 
    “I’m not running,” I answer ed, my voice so small I don’t think he heard me. 
    “Give me a sec and I’ll take you out for breakfast.”
    I was too nervous to speak so I simply nodded and tried not to stare at his body as he got up from the bed and made his way to the bathroom.  Oh Lord what did I get myself into?  I could hear the water running and I’m still wondering if