Chapter 38
Tuesday evening, Justine stared at her phone in shock and asked her aunt, “What’s that?”
It had been four days since her super sweet breakup from Xavier. He’d texted her once, just to say he missed her. But other than that, nothing.
She should have felt worse. But she’d gone from quiet acceptance to grief to anger to a kind of numbness, broken only by her deep dive into contract work and Katie’s inane phone calls, doing her best to cheer Justine up.
And even then, Katie still liked Xavier, feeling sorry for him rather than angry.
“He’s messed up, J.” Katie had said. “Just give it time. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He’s a goner. He’s just acting stupid on account of having a penis.” Such wise words from her best friend.
Her aunt’s voice on the phone sharpened.
“I said I’m coming back in a month. Kai’s coming too.
But don’t worry. You can stay on the couch.
It’ll be like a big old sleepover!” Aunt Rosie chatted a bit more about Italian men and fine wines.
Or fine men and Italian wines. Justine wasn’t sure because her aunt rambled without taking a breath for quite a while.
“Are you still there?” her aunt asked. “It’s should only be five-thirty. I think. It’s after eight here.”
“In the morning? Why are you awake?”
“I haven’t gotten to sleep yet.” Aunt Rosie laughed and said something to someone in the background.
Justine frowned. “Um, what was that?”
“I said, your mother called to tell me how much she likes your new boyfriend.”
Justine groaned.
“I knew you and Xavier would be perfect for each other.”
“Too bad, because Xavier didn’t get the memo.”
“Oh? Dish, girlie. Tell Aunt Rosie all about it.”
So Justine did, praying Aunt Truth would have some sage advice for her.
“Well.”
“Well what?” Justine asked. “Is it over between us? Are we on a break? What do his problems mean?”
“I doubt either one of you knows. Why the hell haven’t you talked since Friday? It’s almost been a week.”
Five days, three hours, and twenty-four minutes, to be exact. “I don’t know. I wanted to give him space. I’m still not sure where we are. I mean, I know where I am. Soon to be homeless with a few contract jobs that might pay for groceries for the month. Oh, and my cell phone bill.”
“There you go. Great job, honey.” Her aunt tittered. “I’m sorry for not joining your pity party of one.”
“Aunt Rosie,” Justine growled.
“Oh stuff it, Justine. You finally got the gumption to leave that awful job and told off your boss. I’m super proud of you!”
“Will you be proud of me when I’m living with you three years later, stuffing hot dogs, PBJs, and Ramen down my throat?”
“Ah, the meals of champions. I love a good PBJ.”
She groaned.
“Lighten up, honey. Xavier’s a thinker. He needs to go through all the reasons why he can’t handle a long-term girlfriend, see that he’s being ridiculous and fear-based, then declare his undying love for you.”
“He never even said it,” she mumbled. “I did. Put myself out there only for him to say he ‘felt the same way.’ What the heck is that?” She liked the anger stealing through her numbness.
“That’s a young man who can’t get over past trauma,” Aunt Rosie said with authority. “Now stop wallowing and enjoy life. Just think, in another month, Kai and I will be back with a bunch of stories. And maybe even a step-uncle in your future!”
“Really?”
“Well, maybe. He hasn’t shown me his estate yet, so we’ll see.”
“Estate?”
“He’s a count. Honey, I don’t settle for just anyone. And you shouldn’t either. Your life will work itself out. If Xavier can’t see how wonderful you are, then he’s not the man I think he is. And that’s one from Aunt Truth. You can take that to the bank.”
Justine disconnected and wound her way down to the fountain in the courtyard. She sat glumly, staring up at the clear night sky while the fountain bubbled and the flowers scented the air.
“Hey, whatcha doing?” Sam came to sit next to her looking tanned and happy.
“Welcome back, Sam.” She gave him a hug, amused that he clung to her like a limpet she had to pry away. “We missed you.”
“Aw. I missed you too.” He grinned, adorable with his bright Hawaiian shirt and a plastic lei. He took the necklace off and put it over her head. “For you.”
“That’s so sweet.”
“Yeah, it is. So when are we going out?”
She laughed and shocked herself by starting to cry.
Sam’s eyes grew wide. “Oh my gosh. Are you okay?” He paused. “Is it…that time of the month?”
“What? No.” She hiccupped on a laugh. “And don’t ask women that.”
“Sorry. I won’t. My bad.”
The goofball made her feel better. “Sorry for breaking down. It’s been a rough couple of days.”
He sat closer. “What happened?”
“I quit my job for my fathead boss. Aunt Rosie’s coming back so I need to find a new place to live.” Because she loved her aunt, but that apartment was way too small for her aunt’s personality and anyone else. “And Xavier and I are…taking a break.”
“Oh.” He paused and his face lit up. “Oh.”
“Sam. I’m too old for you to date. But not too old to be a friend.” She held out a hand.
He sighed and shook it. “Rylan said the lei wouldn’t work, but I tried.”
“Tell me about your trip.”
He expounded on the virtues of scuba diving with a trained guide, told her about swimming with his uncle and messing up Adam’s chances with a lifeguard, and showed her a handful of shells he’d bought at a gift store.
They talked for quite a while, the young boy and nearly thirty-year-old woman with little in common, and laughed and enjoyed themselves before Sam had to turn in.
Justine stared at the night sky, not so sad anymore, and hoped that Xavier soon came to his senses. Or she might just be tempted to wait until Sam turned twenty-five and take him out for real.