Who would do this?
My trashcan is full and I head back to my desk and eavesdrop on the entire altercation and listen to Jessa tell her half-brother to go fuck himself and that she quits. I act like I’m working whenI’m really listening to everything and wondering if I can be more like her.
Kemper’s is a secure job, one that isn’t overly difficult. Can I really just branch out and try something new? It’s terrifying, and I’m wondering if I’m brave enough to leave a sure thing?
The office quiets, and eventually Jessa comes around the corner with a box full of her shit. As much as I’m considering taking up Lincoln’s offer, it doesn’t mean I’m happy about her leaving me here with these assholes.
“This doesn’t change anything between us, you know?”
“I know, but now who am I supposed to get lunch with? Sharon?” I make a face, feeling like she completely betrayed me today. Jessa is the best work friend I’ve had ever. I mean, we’re more than that now, but it still sucks.
“Who knows, maybe this will take off and I could use some help.” I love that she’d be willing to hire me, but I hate the idea of someone else feeling like I need a pity job.
“What exactly are you going to do now?”
“I think a mixture of freelance design and finally putting my designs on apparel. That’s always been something I wanted to do, but just never moved forward on. I think it’s time I start following my dreams, and working here with Zach breathing down my neck isn’t it.”
“But Aiden,” I say softly, wondering what it’s going to be like for him without Jessa here.
“He understands, and we’re going to be okay. More than okay, actually.”
“No kidding. The family loved you, by the way, if you didn’t pick up on that. I’ve never seen Aiden this happy, and of course he wants you to follow your dreams, but who is he going to stare at all day?” I joke, trying to swallow down my fear that Jessa and I won’t be as close as we are with her getting a new job.
Just add it to my very long list of shit I need to talk to my therapist about.
She laughs and waves me off. “I’ll come by for lunch next week, okay?”
“Okay,” I sigh, standing up and walking around my desk to wrap my arms around her to squeeze tightly. “Don’t be a stranger,” I tell her and she hugs me back.
Maybe I’m naive, but I think this friendship might survive just about anything.
30
SUPPORT SYSTEM
Penny opensthe passenger door roughly and slams it behind her when I pick her up.
“Bad day?”
“Jessa quit,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Because of her relationship with Aiden?” I question, hoping that this doesn’t set us two steps back.
“No, she just didn’t feel like dealing with the bullshit anymore. Zach was a real dick to her.”
“Color me surprised,” I say under my breath.
“I really don’t feel like going out to eat tonight.”
“Takeout and rotting in bed, it is.”
She turns towards me and gives me a small smile. “You just get it,” she replies.
I reverse the car and head to my favorite Chinese spot with my hand on her thigh the entire ride.
We’re lyingin my bed, watching a show that Penny has seen a million times, when Penny’s phone buzzes on the nightstand. She grabs it and she gasps when she sees the text.
“What is it?” I ask.
