Chapter 46 – Jude
Chapter Forty-Six
JUDE
Nowhere on the farm is safe for me right now.
Everything reminded me of Mabel, and I need to get my head right before I let her creep back into my thoughts.
I have no meetings or responsibilities for the rest of the day, thanks to my stupid plan to try and spend some quality time with Mabel.
I’d made sure to keep my afternoon clear.
It was a bittersweet blessing to learn how little I meant to Mabel today, of all days.
Once I left Mabel’s office, I bee-lined for my truck. No destination in mind, just knowing I needed to get away. As far away as possible. At least for the next few hours. I’m almost surprised I didn’t tip my beast of a vehicle when I took the turn into downtown Honeyville as fast as I did.
It’s still relatively early, maybe I can drive to Salt Lake and get Crown Burger or something. Stuff my face until this acid burning me up is smothered in beef, potatoes, and fry sauce .
Decision made, I get onto the highway and prepare to destroy my eardrums with the highest volume I can get on my radio. I don’t make it very far with the random radio station my truck picks up, though.
My phone connects to the bluetooth in my truck to let me know I have a phone call. I’m about to decline, assuming it’s either my mother or Mabel, when the stereo announces “You have an incoming call from MASON, answer it?”
I don’t hesitate to accept the call. I haven’t seen Mason in ages and the chaotic energy my best friend typically oozes is exactly what I need to distract myself from Mabel’s words. “Judith! What are you doing right now?” Mason’s tinny voice echoes through my truck.
“Just driving, what’s up?”
“Do you have time to grab lunch? I have something I want to tell you.”
“You can’t tell me now?”
“Nah, I’ve been missing that ugly face. Need to get an eye-full so I can remember how lucky I am.
” He can’t keep the chuckle from his voice as he teases me.
Mason had told me one night, after a rather nasty rejection, that I could get any guy I wanted if I swung that way and he hated me just a little bit for it.
He never told me who had caused him to get so down in the dumps but he was back to his regular cocky self the next day.
“Asshole.”
“You love it. And you love me. Lunch?”
“Yeah. Where do you wanna meet?”
We confirm our lunch plans and I quickly change the direction I was driving to join my friend for lunch, and some news that was too important to share over the phone.
“You’re moving?” My jaw drops as Mason announces he’s not only moving but opening up a cafe in Chicago.
I drop my sandwich and stand to give him a classic bro-hug, slapping him on the back.
“That’s insane! And exciting, why didn’t you tell me this was something you’d been working on?
” I pull out of the hug but keep my hands on Mason’s shoulders, giving him an excited shake.
“Geez, let me go. I don’t need a brain injury before I leave.” Mason gives me a friendly shove and returns to his seat at the table.
“Don’t be a dick.” I sit back down and take a big bite of my sandwich but even with a full mouth, I can’t keep the smile off my face.
I can’t even be sad that he’s leaving. Mason and I have been friends for longer than we haven’t been and I’ve never seen him more excited about something. He discovered his love of cooking and creating meals shortly after he stopped working at the Farm.
He taught me most of the things I’ve learned to cook over the years. Between Mason and Mama D, I’ve come to accept the fact that I’m always going to have a little bit of extra weight across my stomach.
Mabel had told me she liked that about me.
That even though she called me ‘Muscles’, and I had farm strength that made her feel protected, the softest around my middle was what made snuggling in bed with me something she craved while at the cabin.
I want to blame the pang in my heart on the imminent departure of my friend and not the tarnished thoughts of being with Mabel.
No, we’re not going there right now. We’re focusing on Mason and the fact that he’s about to start living his dream in a completely different state.
I’ll be able to use traveling to visit Mason as an excuse to not visit mother and Leeson.
I’ll also have to start thinking about scheduling time off to travel to visit Mason.
In Chicago.
“So, when do you leave?” I ask just as Mason takes a bite of his own sandwich. Mason takes exaggerated bites and flips me off before swallowing. “Two weeks.”
Two weeks?!
“That’s so soon! Are you packed? Have you found a place?”
“Calm down, Mom. Yes, I’m all packed and there’s an apartment above the cafe that I’m going to be staying in.” I almost make a comment about living where you work, but I stop myself when I realize how hypocritical that would be.
I may not live above a structure at the Farm, but living in the Bunk House on property is essentially the same thing. Maybe worse ?
Who knows.
I’m not thinking about the Farm or the family who runs it right now.
“How are you getting there? Flying, moving company?”
Focusing on logistics for my friend is a much better use of my time.
“I’m packing up my car and driving down. I don’t have much here I want to take with me, outside of clothes and,” he wiggles his eyebrows, “some toys. Everything else can be easily replaced.”
“You’re driving? Isn’t that like a thirty hour drive?”
“Calm down. It’s twenty and I’ve planned stops along the way.”
“You’re driving alone?”
This question earns an eye roll.
“Yes, Mother Jude. That’s why I’ve planned stops.
Can you chill now and just be excited for me?
” The mirth in his voice is reassuring. I don’t want to annoy him with my questions or worry that something could go wrong on his way to Chicago.
I’m very aware of the possibility that I may be including a few extra worries from outside situations into this conversation.
“Yes, yes. Of course. Tell me about this cafe. You’re going to name a sandwich after me, right?”