I think about the conversation I just had with Brad and compare how different it was to the conversation I had with him a couple days ago.
“What’s up with Brad? He sounded normal this time, but before he was really pushing for me to meet with him,” I say to myself.
I finish my protein drink and decide to journal and write more in my notebooks that are in Bobby G’s house.
Several hours go by and Lauren comes into Bobby G’s house and finds me in Bobby G’s living room.
“Here you are, I was wondering where you were,” says Lauren as she walks over to me as I’m sitting on Bobby G’s sofa.
“I went for a run, had a protein drink, and then started writing and lost track of time I guess,” I say to Lauren.
Lauren sits next to me on the sofa, looks at me, and says, “We never really talked about what happened with those two guys.”
I look at Lauren and reply, “We talked a little bit about it.”
“Yeah, but we didn’t have a meaningful conversation about it though,” responds Lauren.
I look at Lauren and I’m not sure what to say.
Lauren waits for me to talk and just looks at me.
I feel that Lauren wants me to start the conversation, so I gather my thoughts and say, “Well, I’m just glad you are okay, and they didn’t hurt you.”
“Me too, it was pretty scary,” replies Lauren.
I rub my mustache and beard with my left hand and look up at Bobby G’s living room ceiling.
I feel Lauren looking at me and I start to break down a little bit.
I put my left hand over my eyes and rub my eyes.
Lauren rubs my back and I say, “I shouldn’t have let that happen. I should have seen them coming.”
“There was no way to have spotted them, but you did protect me,” says Lauren.
“But what if they took you, what if they hurt you, or what if…,” I say as I look at Lauren.
“But they didn’t, you stopped them,” interrupts Lauren.
“All for a stupid trip to get a motorcycle,” I say.
Lauren looks at me and I look at Lauren.
“It’s not safe outside of here and I’m not sure how to make it safe,” I say.
“Come in Ryan, where you at Ry?” asks Phil over the radio.
I grab the radio that is on Bobby G’s living room coffee table and answer into my radio, “I’m in my dad’s house with Lauren.”
“Okay, we’ll be right there,” says Phil over the radio.
I wipe away a small tear on my left cheek and I say to Lauren, “I need you to be safe, even if you don’t think it’s a dangerous situation or trip. You saw how quickly a short trip can turn bad.”
“I know, but I felt like I could have escaped his grip,” says Lauren.
“Why didn’t you try?” I ask Lauren.
“I was afraid what he might do,” answers Lauren.
“We’ll work on the techniques that will get you out of the situation like you were in, but I saw the foot stomp you did,” I say to Lauren.
“I was going to pull his leg and then kick him, but he was pretty fat,” says Lauren.
“Yeah, tiny my ass,” I joke.
Lauren and I both smile and laugh.
Bobby G’s front door opens, and four people enter the house.
Lauren and I see Phil, Jon, Jaws Junior, and Jordan enter Bobby G’s house.
“I’ll leave you guys to talk,” says Lauren.
“You don’t have to leave,” says Phil.
“It’s okay, I have a couple of things to do,” replies Lauren.
Lauren kisses me goodbye and she exits Bobby G’s house.
“Everything okay?” asks Jon.
“Yeah, just having a heart to heart after the craziness with the criminals,” I answer.
Phil, Jon, Jordan, and Jaws Junior join me in Bobby G’s living room, and I ask, “What’s up?”
“Just wanted to give you an update of things,” answers Phil.
“Where’s Matt?” I ask.
“He should be here soon,” answers Jon.
“Okay, did any of you hear me talk with Brad this morning?” I ask.
“What did he say?” asks Phil.
“He wants to meet with me, and he plans to come here with Faith,” I answer.
“When?” asks Jon.
“He didn’t know, but something still seems off about him, so let’s be prepared for when he comes,” I answer.
“What do you think he’ll do?” asks Phil.
“I don’t know, but you know he seemed off when we went to the stadium,” I say to Phil.
“Who is Brad?” asks Jordan.
“He is our contact with the Channelside community,” answers Jon.
“Like the place where the bars and restaurants, and cruise ships are at?” asks Jordan.
“Yeah, you been there?” I answer Jordan.
“Not since this zombie stuff started, but I’ve been there before,” answers Jordan.
“Well, I wouldn’t go there now,” says Jon.
Bobby G’s front door opens, and Matt enters the house.
“There he is. His usual time of late,” jokes Phil.
Matt joins us in the living room and asks, “Did you talk about going back to the O2U store again?”
“Nope,” answers Jon with a joking tone.
“Well, I have to find another thing for Mike, and I hope they have the right one,” says Matt.
“Again with this? What, are you his personal shopper or something?” asks Phil with a sarcastic tone.
“No, but I just thought I could get the item he wanted and also see if he found anything out around here,” replies Matt.
“I want to meet this Mike guy and see what he can do for us,” I say.
“I’m not sure going there with a ton of people is a good idea,” says Matt.
“Then you and I’ll go and whoever
