The day was hot and stifling with humidity. Katie and Jimmy elected to travel to the lake with a group of high school friends. Some of the boys were laughing about the booze lifted from their fathers’ liquor cabinets. Beer and whiskey flowed freely.

Splashing around in the clear, cool water, racing around the lake on water skis behind powerful boats or the latest fad, jet skis, everyone was enjoying the day. Katie swam out to the anchored diving platform. As always, it was only minutes before Jimmy joined her. He was tipsy from alcohol. Katie knew drinking was something Jimmy Phillips was unaccustomed to.

They lay together on towels some of the others had left for later use. The conversation was about plans for college and the futures each would face after. Suddenly the tone turned far more serious when Jimmy rolled onto her, pinning her to the towel, kissing her with a passion she never knew existed within him.

Furious, she pushed him away and off her. Thinking he would try another move on her, Katie slapped Jimmy. She felt that it shocked him more than hurt. He started to apologize but Katie would have none of it. She moved to the edge of the platform and sat with her feet dangling in the water. Jimmy remained where he was, trying to find words that would satisfy his friend.

“Why Jimmy?” she asked. “Why? All this time we’ve been friends and now you jump me like I’m some common whore to be used when you feel the need. I’m not like that Jimmy. You of all people should know that.”

“Katie please, I didn’t mean it like that. I only wanted you to know how I feel for you. I’m sorry.” Jimmy hung his head in shame.

“And we couldn’t have talked about something like this? I won’t be manhandled Jimmy, you know me better than that. What got into you?” Katie was angry and hurt.

“Aw hell, Katie, 'Why' you ask. Why not? I've been hangin’ around you all my life. You never once noticed that I love you with all my heart.”

“Stop right there Jimmy. You don’t ’love’ me. It’s only the liquor talking,” Katie chastised.

“No, it’s not Katie. That’s what I’m telling you. You never notice anything about me. So be it. Goodbye Katie,” Jimmy yelled and dove off the platform, swimming with strong, sure strokes back to the landing.

The next day was cloudy with rain. “What a difference twenty four hours can make!” Katie pulled her light sweater tighter around her body.

As she stood under the covered terminal loading area waiting for the bus to Starkville, Mississippi to start her freshman year at Mississippi State University, Katie kept expecting Jimmy to come see her off as he had on every other event in her short life. Her gaze never left the streets leading to the Greyhound Bus terminal parking lot.

“Don’t you worry, Katie. He'll be here soon,” Natalie Kitchens comforted.

“No, he won’t, Grams. I know that now. We argued yesterday, and I hurt him badly. I realize now just how much Jimmy cared for me, and I turned my back on him.”

“Well, honey, he'll come around. You just wait and see.”

The bus eased from the terminal with a blast of thick, black diesel smoke. For the first time, one of Katie’s journeys began without Jimmy Phillips.