another anti-love rant from the infamous doctor Whitman.” Another guy said, his tone sarcastic. “Okay, Drew. Let’s hear today’s sermon.”
“I’m being serious.” Drew told his co-host. Dave and Drew in the Morning was easily the most popular morning radio show in the Columbus area. Everyone listened to the duo, bantering back and forth.
Everyone except Anna. She usually made a point of avoiding the early morning talk show. Not because she didn’t find them entertaining or even funny. She even enjoyed the music.
She just couldn’t stand listening to Drew.
“Oh, I know you are.” Anna could hear Dave’s quiet laughter in the background.
“It just seems like such a big waste of energy. You put so much time and effort into making some girl happy—and for what? For her to break up with you the very night you plan on proposing?” Anna felt her cheeks flare once again, suddenly very certain to avoid making eye contact with other nearby drivers.
“That is kind of harsh, dude.” Dave agreed.
“That’s what I’m saying. Plus, I mean, imagine how many other girls this guy could have had. I know all you ladies out there are probably calling me a pig right now, but it goes both ways. I’m not saying that it’s only a guy’s right to play the field. I say it goes both ways. Monogamy, relationships…just such a waste of time. Humans weren’t made for love. They were made for passion.”
Well, Drew had one thing right at least. “Pig, ” she muttered under her breath as she reached forward and stabbed at any button on the radio, eager to be rid of him.
He hadn’t changed a bit since college, that much was obvious.
She remembered their first meeting, once again blushing. She quickly turned her blush into a scowl though, remembering how angry she’d been with him.
She was even more angry seven years later, no longer caught up in his confidence and charm.
That was Drew Whitman for you. Always running his mouth.
Radio broadcasting had been the perfect career choice for him.
It was hard to believe that she and Jeff had met only because of Drew. She remembered, after the night of the party, she and Drew had begun to bump into each other all over the place. Concerts, campus, even the library.
Somehow, he had convinced her to meet him for coffee at a local café. They had run into Jeff there, and the rest…
The rest had led her here, to this very place. She sighed as she pulled into her normal parking place, running her hand through her hair.
Well, regardless of what had happened in her personal life, she could at least be thankful for her vocational life. Even though the next few hours would be spent pouring over paperwork and budgets, she couldn’t deny the little thrill working it’s way through her.
This she could be proud of.
The idea had come to her during her senior year of high school. She had, as usual, been involved with the wrong guy. They had been busted for underage drinking and she had been sentenced to community service.
Anna had found her way here, to this very community center, where she had begun working with kids much younger than herself—most of them forced to be here by their parents and very few there by choice.
It wasn’t as if she could really blame them. The community center had been severely lacking in even the most basic needs for entertainment. They’d had a few old, warped basketballs, a TV that only played VHS, and a pretty ragged library. Outside wasn’t much better, with only one set of swings and a sandbox Anna was almost afraid to touch. Not to mention the dark, dank décor…
As she breezed through the doors, she immediately felt her mood improve.
She had continued to work with the community center long after she’d completed her required hours, bettering things little by little. She was proud to see all of