When It Rains: The Umbrella Collection Read Free Page B

tomorrow or 50 years down the road.  We just are going to be and that’s that. She has seen and heard me at my worst, when my mind is clouded by my death and it happens a lot.  I’m hard to be around, so knowing you have a permanent friend around is comforting.
    I was getting dressed when I heard her yell up the stairs, “Hey, I’m here.”
    “Alright.  I’ll be right down,” I shouted as I pulled a t-shirt over my head.  Then I grabbed a pair of gray sweatpants that I had thrown over one of the French doors to my closet instead of putting them away in my dresser.  I hurriedly pulled them on along with socks and slippers.  I threw my wet hair up in a ponytail and ran downstairs after a glimpse of myself in the mirror.  Even though, it wasn’t much, I looked a lot better than before.
    “Hey, how are you?” I asked as I walked into the kitchen where she was already getting the plates and glasses ready.  
    “Good.   The question is though, how are you?”
    I didn’t know how to answer that.   I felt like shit inside, but it happens so often I am over talking about it and I’m sure people were over hearing about it. My face must have given off a hint to my thinking because Skylar looked at me and asked, “Do you want to talk about it or try to forget it this time?
    “Forget,”  I said with urgency wanting to talk about anything else.   We each grabbed a slice and instead of sitting at the dining room table we both simultaneously hopped onto the kitchen counter to munch on the pizza and talk.  This was the norm for us.  This is where we did most of our talking and catching up.
    “Alright, for now,” she said and I knew she would make me spill my guts eventually.   “So, have you heard from Lauren today?” she asked to change the subject. 
    “Nah, I haven’t talked to her in a week or so,” I said with a hint of anger.
    Lauren has been a friend of mine for a few years and I don’t know how our friendship has survived.  I question our friendship quite regularly.  She is one of those friends that you have to watch your back with.  Whenever there is a bus heading our way she is very quick at throwing me under it.  I am also eagerly waiting for the pain to rise from the knife she has injected into my back.  Why are we friends, you ask.  I’m not entirely sure.  There have been some good times hanging out and times when I felt depressed and she was there for me.  But, when I’m feeling good that is typically when the kindness gets swept away and inserted into its absence is her bitchiness.  My philosophy is that she likes it when I am down because she is superior. In that mindset, I am easily controlled and manipulated.  Her belittlement and opinions are broadcasted without a retort or battle from me, even when I feel she is wrong.  
    “Neither have I.   Huh, that’s weird.”
    “What’s weird about it?   She’s got a new boyfriend, what’s his name again?” I asked
    A few seconds passed as we searched our memory for his name.   Lauren has a new boyfriend every week, so we get confused sometimes.
    “Frank!” We both yelled at the same time pointing our greasy fingers at each other.
    “No, I heard they broke up.  So, I guess there’s a newbie in town.”
    “How are things with you and Scott?”   I asked Skylar.
    She unknowingly smiled, her green eyes got brighter and she tilted her head blissfully to the side.   “He’s in Hawaii right now for the charity he has worked with.  He sent me a few pictures with the kids and him playing on the beach.  It was the cutest thing I have ever seen.”
    Scott and Skylar have been dating for a few months now and I’ll put money down that they are married by this time next year.   They are that disgustingly perfect couple that annoy you because they fit so well together, without the disgusting part, or course.
    “Have you heard from Adam?” Skylar asked.   I knew this question was coming, but I was dreading every word of