“That was really sweet, Bodie.”
I chuckled. “You sound surprised.”
“Honestly, I am a little bit. I know what your father was like in college and I kind of assumed you’d be the same.”
“You mean a man whore?” I asked, with a smile.
“I would never say that, but yes,” mom said, returning my smile.
“You probably don’t want to hear this, but that’s exactly what I was like last semester.”
“But not now?”
“No.”
“What changed?”
“Karma blew into my life and turned it upside down.”
“How?”
“Do you really want to know?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but we had sex at the end of last semester. Only once, but everything changed. For the first time it was more than sex, I felt a connection and I knew she felt it too. Only the next morning she said she didn’t remember anything. So, we went on like nothing happened, but I was different. Then she started dating Anthony and I was definitely in the friend zone.”
“Oh honey, that’s both wonderful and sad.”
“A few weeks ago, she let something slip and I found out she remembered the night we spent together. She lied about it because of how she felt, like me, it was more for her than any other experience.”
“You two seem to be a lot alike.”
“Yeah, which is why we both assumed that neither of us wanted a relationship.”
“Are you in love with her?” mom asked.
I really thought about that before I answered. “I don’t know, mom. I’ve never been in love before. I know that I care about her and I don’t want anything to happen to her.”
“Do you think about her a lot?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you want to be around her, even when sex is off the table?”
“Yeah.”
“Does your heart flutter when she’s around?”
“Yeah.”
“I already know you’ll do anything to help her.”
“Yeah.”
“I hate to break it to you son, but I think you’re in love with Karma.”
I stopped stirring. Was mom, right? Was I really in love?
Mom laughed. “Don’t look so shocked, Bodie. It happens to everyone eventually. And being in love isn’t a bad thing honey.”
“What if she doesn’t feel the same way?” I asked. “I mean, she’d been dating Anthony for months and she’s never had a relationship longer than like a week before that.”
“You want my honest opinion?”
“Sure.”
“I think that when you two had sex she realized that she felt something for you and it scared her, so she pretended that it didn’t exist. Anthony was a way to not have to think about it. Has she ever done anything to make you think that she was in love with Anthony?”
I thought back to the pictures and videos she’d “accidentally” sent me, as well as the night she asked me to tell her to an orgasm, those weren’t the actions of someone in love.
“No, I guess not. Karma’s always been a free spirit, so I assumed that was the reason she did certain things, but maybe I was wrong.”
Mom took the bowl from me and started scooping out cookie dough onto a sheet. As usual, my thoughts were all about Karma. If what mom said was true then maybe there was a chance, even if it was slight, that Karma had feelings for me. I had a lot to think about.
****
I was a ball of nervous energy the next morning. Karma’s hearing was that afternoon and I needed to find something to do or I was going to drive myself crazy, so I texted Tiffany.
Me: Are you working or at school?
Tiffany: Working this morning until 9
I looked at the time, it was 7:30.
Me: I’ll be there in 20 minutes
I’d already had a shower and was dressed for the day, so I went to my car and drove straight to More Than Just Beans.
Tiffany had a coffee ready for me when I walked in the door. There was a line of customers, so I found a table in the back and sat with my coffee. Eventually she was able to come join me.
“How’s Karma?” she asked.
“I think I’m in love with her,” I blurted out.
Tiffany laughed. “Yeah, I know, and it’s about time you admitted it.”
“Huh? How did you know?”
“Bodie, it’s obvious to anyone but you and Karma apparently. No one would do the things you’ve done for her if they didn’t love that person.”
“But I do things for you all the time.”
“Yes, you do, but do you get butterflies in your stomach when you think about me?” I made a face and she laughed. “Exactly. You may care about me, but as a friend. What you feel for Karma is much more than that. You’re worried about court today, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. I mean, I think she’ll go free, but there’s always a chance something could go wrong, and we don’t get the outcome we want.”
“From everything you’ve told me, I think this one is going to work out in your favor.”
“I sure hope so.”
“I made you some muffins this morning.”
That made me smile. “How did you know I was coming?”
“Just had a feeling. Actually, I made you two boxes. I thought you could take one to Karma’s parents.”
I pulled a hundred dollar bill out of my pocket. “I don’t even want to hear it,” I told her as I handed it to her.
“Fine. I know by now it’s useless to argue with you about this.”
“Yep. Thanks for the coffee and muffins.”
“You’re welcome. Give Karma a hug from me. I’d be at the courthouse, but I really can’t miss my classes this afternoon.”
“I will and it’s okay. I’ll let you know when we have a verdict.”
“Good luck,” Tiffany called, as I walked out the door.
Luck had to be on our side today. I didn’t know what I was going to do if the judge didn’t let her go.
Chapter 38
Karma
I was so nervous I felt sick. The worst part was waiting and not having any idea what time it was. Having the hearing at 1:00 pm was like torture to someone with no ability to know the time. I needed to know what my future held. Either I would be set free, or I wouldn’t, but at least I would know.
For a while, I paced in my cell, then I started doing jumping jacks and running in place, but none of that helped ease my nervousness. I thought back to what Detective Martinez said about me going free, but until the judge dismissed all charges, I was trying not to get my hopes up.
Once lunch was served, I knew it wouldn’t be long until it was time to go. There was no way I could eat, so I didn’t touch my tray. It was taken away and eventually, I was told to stand at my door. The guard handcuffed my hands and feet and then chained them together. I was praying this was the last time in my life that would ever happen.
I was the only one in the van this time. As we drove through the city to the courthouse, I took in everything around me, just in case it was the last time I saw it.