“Across state lines for what?” Leonard asks.
“There’re some things back home I need to pick up,” I answer.
“So? What’s the big deal?” Addison counters.
“It’s not,” I say.
“Can we just drop it? It’s not even worth talking about,” Jesse says as if he’s letting it go, but I know him better than that.
“Good.” I force a smile as I reach for my water. “Because it’s my decision anyway,” I mutter.
His eyes flash at me. “You are not doing it!” he snaps, and my jaw falls slack at him. I can’t believe he’s going to do this right now, in front of everyone.
His dad scolds his name like a curse. “Jesse!”
“Whoa,” Mason says, while murmurs of surprise rise around the table.
Jesse rubs a hand over his face and then lifts his hat to run through his hair. “Would you let Mom drive a U-Haul from Texas all the way back here byherself?!” He looks straight at Leonard.
“No,” Leonard answers.
“See!” His eyes shoot back to mine.
“Okay?! So?!” I argue.
“Ella, you really wanna do that? Why not let Jesse go with you ?” Maureen asks, a motherly worry laced in her voice.
“I wasn’t going to drive straight through. I’ll stop halfway or something, sleep, and then drive the rest.”
“How far is it? Twenty-four hours?” Cody asks.
I shake my head. “Twenty.”
He sits back in his chair. “Alright, so not too bad. Drive ten, sleep, drive the next ten.”
“Cody,” Jesse grumbles.
“It’s not that bad if you think about it,” Cody argues.
Leonard looks at Cody. “I think you need to stay out of it.”
“Yeah. Agreed,” Jesse picks up his drink and sips.
The silence that follows feels suffocating. Everyone’s eyes wander around the table, not knowing what to say. It was easier to deal with this when no one knew what was going on. But now I feel like our relationship is on full display.
Eventually the conversation does shift into something light hearted. I stay to myself, trying not to focus on the agitation between him and I.
* * *
Everyone helps clear the table. Addison makes small talk with me which helps. She’s got good intuition; I’m sure she can tell I feel a little uncomfortable.
As we wipe down the table to put out a new tablecloth, I hear the front door open. It’s then shut rather forcefully. Glancing out the window, I see Jesse head down the front steps but then I lose sight of him when he rounds the side of the house. I get another small knot in my stomach. He’s really mad, and I hate it.
“You know, I know you probably know this already but Jesse is usually pretty patient,” Addie says, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“I know he is. He’s always been.”
“Yeah. So, I don’t know … if I were you, I’d remember that.”
