Day 32

I had Kyle's birthday card as he entered his room, but I didn't hand it to him. Even when Kyle's hand was stretched out, I just shook my head. "What is it, Renata?"

"I need answers," I replied as I sat down near him. Kyle sprung and tried to swipe the card from my hands, but I was faster than him that day. "Why did Tripoli owe you one in the first place? What did you protect her from?"

Kyle glanced away from me as he said, "That's her story to tell, not mine."

"But you were involved somehow, so it's your story too," I replied. "What did you do to Tripoli?"

"I saved Tripoli," he said. "I was lining up outside of a club with my very adult ID. The line was so long that night that Polk and I where were the line ended which was around the block from the actual club."

"Why doesn't it surprise me that you and Polk went clubbing underage?"

"Because we're dipped with awesome sauce, Renata. It goes without saying." He and I shared a smile before he cleared his throat and said, "Moving on; so we heard a girl moaning. I didn't want to get involved. However, Polk insisted we should so he dragged me to the scene. There was Tripoli. Being pinned against a brick wall by a strong armed guy. For a second, it looked like they were just making out. Until I heard Tripoli saying in slurred speech, 'no, no, no'."

"Polk started yelling at the guy, drawing attention to us. The strong armed guy got Polk down on a punch straight for his jaw." Kyle smirked as he said, "However, I guess I should thank my parents for signing me up for mixed martial arts when I was young. Anyway, when strong arms ran away from us, I helped Tripoli and Polk by calling an ambulance for both of them. The end."

"So, Tripoli owed you because you saved her from being raped and you also went with them to the hospital?"

Kyle shrugged as he said, "Uh, not quite. Once the ambulance took both Tripoli and Polk away, I waited back at the end of the line for the club."

"I understand why Tripoli says she's not your friend. You did the right thing, but you're a complete idiot with follow through."

"It's all for the best. Tripoli and Polk are right for one another for now." I narrowed my eyes at him. "What? It's the truth."

"Uh-huh, and it's also the truth that you told Tripoli just last year that Polk in so many words has a history of loving and leaving girls." I hand him his birthday card as I said, "You so don't deserve this, but here you go."

He opens the card as he cleared his throat. "You're on a business trip but that doesn't stop you from having a glass of wine, making a wish, and flying the friendly skies." Kyle closed the card as he said, "That actually sounds like a sweet birthday. Without the ball and chain and the demon spawn too is even better."

"Hey! Don't call your children demon spawn. Especially when they didn't get their demonic tendencies from their mother. Anyway, happy thirty-two."