Like a lot of the towns I had passed through, though this one seemed tobe doing better than other towns I had passed by, whatever their secretwas, it ...as working. Parking my car in front of a diner, I walked in andordered a coffee and meal.As I waited, I struck up a conversation with the staff behind thecounter. They seemed interested in me for some reason, my name, where Iwas from, who I had waiting for me back home. I told them that I didn'thave much in the way of family and took my seat. This particular student center was designated for football and basketball players only. At any given time there was no more than five to fifteen people there. I walked in and was greeted by a fine white girl saying “You must be Trey, my name is Marley.” The session went well and we made arrangements to meet up twice a week for the rest of the semester. I met with Marley several more times, and was doing fine in math now, I probably didn’t even need her help anymore. Truth of the matter. I briefly consider texting for clarification but then don’t. I don’t want to risk any communication with her right now that could jeopardise this feeling of blessed relief that has washed over me this morning. After the week I’ve had I think it’s exactly what I need. But I do make up my mind in this instant that the photo of Tahlia is coming out of my purse in my week off and the one of Carly is going back in its place.I know David won’t be home tonight. But Denny will be here for dinner with. ‘Late. You’d better head back out now. Your boyfriend’s waiting.’ It took a moment for Elle to register whom Ben was referring to. Taylor was a guy she hooked up with a couple of times before and they were on friendly terms. Tonight was his birthday and he had invited her for a drink with him and his other friends and they would ring in the New Year later. He was certainly not her boyfriend. She nodded, feeling deflated that she couldn’t at least spark an interest in Ben. ‘Yeah, I guess I’d.