“What? We’re all adults. He laughed about it.”
Jesse shakes his head. “Well, you didn’t have to tell him your entire life story.”
“He seemed interested.” I pause, thinking this might be a good time to mention something I’d been thinking about. “Speaking of Texas, I’m going to go home next week and get the rest of my things.”
“You don’t have everything?”
“No. I mean, I thought I did but Tim texted and mentioned some things I could have if I wanted, or he was going to get rid of them.”
“Like what?”
“Like a TV stand, coffee table, dresser. I technically bought it all.”
“Big stuff?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, you’re not gonna be able to fit all that in your car, El.”
“I know. I’m going to fly down, get a U-Haul and drive it back.”
“You are not.” He shakes his head and chuckles.
He thinks I’m kidding?
He looks to me, my expression showing I’m offended. “Ella. C’mon now. You can barely even drivemytruck.”
“So? Doesn’t mean I can’t.”
He cocks his head. “Ella.”
“Jesse, it’s been ten years. You don’t know what all I’m capable of.”
“But I knowyou.”
“Whatever. It can’t be that hard. It’s not a trailer.”
“No, you’re right, but baby, there’s no—”
“Do you honestly think I’m incapable?!”
“Yes,” he admits.
I huff. “Jesse Lee!”
“Ella Kate! You are not doing this. I will take you,Iwill help you load everything, andIwill drive you back.”
“No!”
“You are not driving back from Texas! You’ll get into an accident or drive forty miles an hour and get pulled over because you’re supposed to be doing seventy!”
“Why do you have to be like that? Why can’t you let me be an adult? I am thirty years old!”
“You are not! You are twenty-nine until April 16th!”
The heat in my face and body remains as we stare at each other. I don’t know what else to say that will make him let me do this.
We drive in silence. We’ll be at his parents’ house for lunch in ten minutes and I don’t think that’s enough time to workthis out. So we’ll both just have to force a smile for now and figure out this issue later.
