The park, buzzing with life and activity, was something Bishop rarely took the time to fully appreciate. Normally he’d be running through full-speed with earbuds in—basically ignoring the surroundings rather than taking them in.
Today, however, the mild weather and cozy temperatures had him dressed in his summer best and strolling casually through the park at a leisurely pace.
His eyes and mind clear—his insides free of the ache—Bishop felt rejuvenated and rested. Two sessions with Monica had him analyzing and reanalyzing, but in an effective and productive way.
Watching young couples, young parents, older people, and dog-walkers, Bishop found himself feeling appreciative for the day. Although the tragedy was lurking at the base of his psychology, today it was only lurking rather than at the forefront.
The winding sidewalk had Bishop passing several smiling faces—and then he saw hers—Jenna Hall.
The urge to turn walk briskly from her was killed when she smiled largely at him—some unknown brunette by her side.
Jenna was a quirky and semi-likable blonde…quirky, likeable, and loud.
“Bishop!” Running toward him in a white tank top, Bishop acted as though he’d only just noticed her.
“Oh…hey there, Jenna.”
“Hugs!”
As she squeezed him, he felt her hand gripping his butt-cheek.
Chuckling, Bishop smiled as she stepped back. “Nice to see you too, Jenna.”
“Oh, I’m sure it is.”
Jenna’s loud voice and boisterous actions seemed to obstruct the majority of the path, leaving others to leave the sidewalk and walk in the grass around the trio.
“Bishop, this is Cammie…we’re all B.F.F.’s and shit.”
“Hi, Cammie.”
“Hello.” The girl seemed nearly as embarrassed by Jenna’s behavior as Bishop. Bishop believed if she were truly Jenna’s best friend, she would know better than to venture out with her in the daylight hours.
“How have you been, boy? You look fine as hell today.”
“Thanks, Jenna. Not too bad yourself.”
“It’s been a minute!”
Scratching his head and glancing about, Bishop longed for a thunderstorm or even a mugger to interrupt the interaction. “Yeah…I think the concert, maybe?”
Holding her hands up—fingers extended—Jenna gave an exaggerated smirk. “Oh you mean, night of the blowjob?”
Her inquiry, loud and resounding, had Bishop smiling but feeling his face flush—his gaze diverting to the tree line.
“Did you really just say that?” Bishop’s low-key tone and crouched demeanor seemed to delight Jenna.
“Oh I said it…and it was a mouthful!”
With this, Bishop stood solemn—hands in his pockets as he stared at the cement beneath him.
“I’m messin’ with ya, Bishop.” Hugging him again, Jenna seemed to recognize the somber and defeated stature of her victim. “For real…how have you been?”
“I’m okay, Jenna.”
“I’m ah…I’m sorry about Nate. I should have called.”
“It’s okay.”
Shaking his shoulders lightly, Jenna smiled. “No it’s not. Let me make it up to you.”
Bishop smiled, shook his head and chuckled. “I don’t know what you have in mind, but I’ll pass. I can’t risk you announcing it to every living being in the park a year from now.”
“You dork. Let me take you out tonight…just friends. Grab a bite…a drink. Just friends. Cammie’s coming too.”
Jenna’s friend seemed slightly put-off as she wandered further away.
“I don’t know, Jenna. I’m trying to slow down and stay away from—”
“Hot girls with limited gag reflexes?”
Feeling flustered, Bishop exhaled forcefully. “Please stop. You’re embarrassing me.”
“Okaaaay. You’re no fun today. Just trying to loosen you up.”
“Can you pick me up? I don’t feel like driving. Just call before you head over.”
“Holy shit. We’re going out?”
“I need out. But please, Jenna…chill with the public humiliation tactics.”
“I can do that.”
“Cool. See you tonight.”