“Which I get but he’s with him right now though; so y’all must still talk or some shit. Liv, nothing is making sense.”
I groaned as I worked on my schedule for this vacation that still needed to happen with Byrdie.
“Jasiel, because you’re making it more complicated than it is. The kids are still friends. Sometimes grown people who briefly dated can still be mutuals for the sake of a good reason, like the kids.”
“Okay. And he’s taking Jo-Jo out tomorrow to play ball with him and Tunk?”
“Yes, Jasiel. Enough about me and my failed relationship, can we focus on you? Did you resubmit your request for the time off for the week before he goes back to school? I know Jo-Jo is expecting you to be here.” I had to change from the subject of Highland. My heart couldn’t take thinking or talking about him anymore today. It was bad enough I had to see him when he dropped Jo-Jo off.
When his heavy breathing came out, I prepared myself for the bullshit.
“That’s why I called. I’m shipping out next week with a temporary extended stay overseas. I’m sorry, Liv. I know this wasn’t in the plans, but I promise to still make his first day in second grade a good one. I still have you down as my power of attorney, so you’ll get the updated paperwork in the mail.”
That wasn’t something I wanted to hear, but I knew it was a good possibility that he would be deployed. It came with the job title. I had been his power of attorney since I was pregnant with Jo-Jo. This was Jasiel’s way of making sure that even in his death his son would be taken care of.
“Shit, Jasiel. Jo-Jo is going to be so disappointed. And what does extended mean? Are we talking six months or a year this time?” I kissed my teeth as he let out a frustrated sigh. “Now I really have to go all out with this vacation.” I groaned while Ilooked over my screen, seeing where I could move stuff around so I could extend our original one week into two at the least.
“A year this time. But what’s the hold up with that anyway? Is it money? I can send some to take care of it for you.”
I snickered. “That’s not the hold up, work is. Although, I’m not going to stop you from sending Jo-Jo money but only for him.”
“Liv, work? You make the schedule. Make that shit fit you. Also, speaking of, don’t tell Jo-Jo. I’ll tell him once I’m stationed. I can’t handle hearing his sad tone.”
Thank God you work for yourself and make your own hours.
That thought alone had me thinking back to that shitty day yet again. I couldn’t get Highland’s pained expression out of my head when I basically chose my career over him.
Ugh! Stop thinking about it, Olive. You fucked up.
It wasn’t an easy decision to make on the spot. I felt like Highland didn’t even give me time to think about it. Nope. He made my choice for me and left me there crying my eyes out.
I didn’t even have time to figure out a plan of what else I would do before he just ended us. It was a huge, life changing decision to make with just weeks of us dating. Hell, we hadn’t even said the big three words yet.
My heart ached at that thought alone. I just knew he was it. I felt it in my bones down to my soul. I rubbed my chest, trying to soothe the pain that had been there since that day.
“No, of course not. I was leaving that for you anyway. I remember how you like to talk to him yourself when you have to leave.” The line got quiet and I was sure Jasiel was thinking about everything he had going on while mine was still on Highland.
“Hey, this is a random ass question, but if you met someone and your career got in the way of y’all’s relationship, would you consider retiring from the military?”
I didn’t even know why I asked.
Yes you do, Olive. It’s still bothering the fuck out of you that Highland expected you to just give up your career.
“Are we talking mad in love, about to marry and give my babies type of love relationship or just a shorty that I’m digging and we kicking it?”
“Madly in love, Jasiel.”
“For sure,” he responded in a confidence-laced tone with ease.
Is something wrong with me?
And before I could catch myself, I asked a question I already knew the answer to.
“Would you have done it for me? I mean, if I’d asked for Jo-Jo?”
“Honestly, yeah, but you never asked or made it seem like you wanted me to. Liv, you were content with us being friends with a dope ass co-parenting setup, but back then, I would have done whatever you wanted.”
He was right. I didn’t pressure Jasiel for anything. Despite us making Jo-Jo, it was never anything beyond sex with us.
