Part 1 can be found here:https://everydayfiction.com/taking-steps-by-natolie-webb/
Leandra clutched her bag to her chest as she meandered through the crowded hallway after her last class. It had taken all of the skills she had acquired over the past three years to navigate her first day at university. She connected to her breath when she felt her anxiety arise. She reminded herself frequently of her progress. She even tried the half-smile technique her therapist suggested. She was tired but also proud and happy at her growing confidence.
Still, though, she was relieved to step out of the building and into the open air. Crowded hallways were definitely not her thing. She smiled into the sunlight and savored the warm breeze as she made her way to the parking lot and got into her car.
Her phone rang as she wound her way through campus traffic and she laughed out loud. He was so predictable. “Hi, Bob.” She didn’t need to look, it was almost always Bob.
“Leandra! You said you’d be done at two, so I waited until 2:15 to call!”
“I was expecting you.”
“So…?”
“So, what?” She knew why he called but she enjoyed keeping him waiting.
“So… How was your first day? Was it awful? Was it wonderful? C’mon, Leandra, I need to know!”
“It was fine.”
“Fine? Just fine? Oh no!!”
“Relax, Bob. Fine is good. It was a good day. I used all of my coping skills and everything went well.”
“Really? You remembered them? Did you try the half-smile technique?”
“Yes! I did and it actually helped.”
“See? I told you it would help.” The phone got quiet for a few minutes and Leandra let the silence draw out. She was used to Bob’s silence. It was where he processed… “Leandra?”
“Yes?”
“Do you think I could go to school with you next semester? I mean, if you can do it, maybe I can… ” He fell into silence again. Leandra waited patiently as it lasted almost a full minute. “I think I would like to become a counselor too. I want to help people like us. Do you think I could someday?”
“I think you could, Bob.”
“When?”
“If you want to sign up for classes in the spring I’ll go with you and maybe we can even take a class together.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Oh, Leandra! It would be so much easier with a friend. We are friends aren’t we, Leandra?”
She smiled in spite of herself. “Yes, Bob. You call me five times a day, of course we’re friends.”
“Oh, good. I worry I might get annoying sometimes.”
Leandra burst out laughing. It was true. He was annoying sometimes but he had been so sweet, so persistent, he had worked his way permanently into her heart. “No. You’re pretty good to me. I’m glad you’re my friend.”
“I’m glad too… Hey, Leandra? Can we talk more later tonight? I have to go into group now.”
“I have homework but maybe we can chat when I’m finished.”
“Ok. I’ll call after dinner.”
“Sure.”
“Bye, Leandra.”
“Bye, Bob.”
She hung up, giving their relationship deeper consideration. Bob never asked anything from her. He always celebrated her successes and gently prodded her whenever she lost her way. She was lucky to have found someone like that. Plus he made her smile.
She smiled warmly but pushed the thoughts aside. She wasn’t ready to consider the matter further. She had to get home to her studies. She was a college student now.
Natolie Webb 