Chapter 2–Billy

"Ken? Can we stop for a sec?" Trista asked me, "My leg really hurts."

I spied a nearby bench and quickly ushered Trista there. "You shoulda used the braces today. I said we'd be walking a lot."

"I'm still not ready to believe the doctor." Trista commented, rubbing her right leg.

"Nothing's changed in nine years." I pointed out, "Except you can move your leg briefly."

Trista smiled, "For me Kenny, that's an improvement. As you said it only took nine years." She massaged her knee, "One day, I'm going to win a gold medal again."

I held her free hand, "I love you, Tris. One day you will be on that balance beam, bringing the USA gold."

Trista carefully put her leg down, and laid her head on my shoulder, "I miss the balance beam."

"All gymnasts have their favorite element." I commented, "I also loved the balance beam."

Trista moved her head slightly to look up at me, "You love what you're best at."

"Not always." I replied, "Kaylee likes floor best, yet she's best at vault." Kaylee is Trista's sister, who lives with us. She's sixteen.

Trista frowned, "Floor is what damaged me."

I rolled my eyes, "No, not listening to the doctor is what damaged you."

"You're my girlfriend." Trista cried, lifting her head from my shoulder, "You're supposed to take my side."

"I'll take your side if you're right." I said.

Trista rubbed her eyes, "Tired."

I groaned, "You're always tired when you're losing an argument."

"I'm a lover, not a fighter." Trista giggled happily.

I shot her a 'look', "Just as long as you're only MY lover."

"Always and forever, Kenny." Trista whispered. She kissed me lightly on the lips. "Let's get back. We told Keira we'd only be gone a couple hours.

That one of the strangest things about Trista. She never stays out later than what she says. Also she is an incredible mother to my daughter. Actually Emily calls her "Mama Trista."

I stood up and started to walk backwards, when Trista cried, "Ken, look out!"

I turned around in time to plant my face in a blue sweatshirt. "Oof...", was my response.

"Sorry." The man belonging to the sweatshirt said, "I wasn't watching where I was going."

I looked up and saw a pair of blue eyes, behind glass. I knew those eyes. I'd seen them almost everyday growing up. "Billy?" I asked, "Billy, is that you?"

He looked at me, "Who are you?"

I giggled, "I didn't think I looked that different."

He looked at me again, closer this time. Suddenly recognition shone in his eyes, "Kimberly!"

"That'd be me!" I cried.

"Oh...Gosh. I can't believe I didn't recognize you." Billy exclaimed, "Where you been?"

I shrugged, "A lot of places. Mostly Florida. I run a gymnastics center with my girlfriend."

Billy's eyebrows shot above his glasses, "Girlfriend?"

I blanched, "Oops." I pointed to Trista who was sitting quietly on the bench rubbing her right knee. "That's my girlfriend. Trista O'Malley."

"She's very beautiful." Billy commented.

"Yes she is." I confirmed.

"You dumped Tommy for her?" Billy asked.

I chewed on my right thumbnail thinking how to answer, "No. I wrote Tommy the letter before I asked Tris out. It's not like Tommy was totally faithful. I knew he was going out with Kat."

Billy glared at me, "They broke up. Almost eight years ago."

"Tris isn't just my girlfriend, she's also my best friend" I yelled, "All o fyou guys replaced me with Kat. I was replaced as Tommy's girlfriend, Aisha's best friend, and the Pink Ranger!"

Billy yelled back, "We all missed you. We were also worried why we didn't see you compete after the Pan Globals."

"Oh please." I scoffed ,'You were on another planet."

"Kenny." Trista's sweet accent said behind me, "Kiera will get worried."

Billy's eyes widened, "Kenny? Keira?"

"Tris calls me Kennedy. She's called me that for nearly nine years. Emily Kiera is my daughter. My and Tommy's daughter." I replied as calm as I could.

Billy's face softened, "You have a daughter."

"Yes, I have a daughter." I whispered.

"Where are you guys staying?" Billy wondered.

"A hotel." Trista responded. She clasped my hand.

Billy shook his head, "No way. Y'all should stay at my house. I have a lot of extra room."

Trista looked hopefully at me, "Sure." I replied, "Why not? We need to stop at the hotel first."

"No problem." Billy said, "Anyway Kim, I'm glad you're back."

I smiled, "Me too."