Jessica’s mouth dropped. “Di, that’s not what I’m sayingat all. I’m saying I wasn’t happy.Me. So I needed to make a change.”
“You know what I think?” Diana asked, grabbing her coat off a stool. “I think that you were just going through a bit of an early empty nest thing, then you met this handsome lawyer and suddenly you’re dropping everything to work with him. And if I were you, I’d take a good long look at why you’re really doing what you’re doing, and make sure it isn’t because you think the grass is greener with some new guy.”
Hot tears filled Jessica’s eyes. “That’s not what this is about and you know it.”
“No, I don’t know it. I don’t know you anymore, because the Jessica I know and love wouldn’t just upend her entire life and her family like this on a whim.” Diana spun on her heel and stormed to the front door. “Bye, Rach. Thanks for having me over.”
The sound of the door slamming shut vibrated through Jessica’s bones, and she broke down sobbing while Rachael rubbed her back. “Don’t worry about her. She’s just feeling like you’re rejecting her life choices. She’ll come around.”
“Honestly, after that display of judgmental bullshit, I don’t even care.” But that was a lie. Jessica cared very much. With her family aligned against her, she needed her best friend in her corner more than ever, but that wasn’t going to happen. If she was going to do this, she’d have to do it alone.
14
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.”
~ Closing Time by Semisonic
Email from: Blaire Pritchard, PTA President
To: Jessica Halloway
Subject: Gentle Reminder
Hi Jess,
I heard about your horrific car accident. I’m aghast! I hope you’re healing quickly. I wish I had more time so I could make some meals to send over, but I am absolutely swamped with work at the moment.
I don’t want to bother you while you’re down and out, but the dog wash is coming up in less than two weeks and I thought I should check to see what you decided about the towels. I do need to let the store know in advance what your decision is.
I also wanted to let you know the Thanksgiving Pie Fundraiser is officially off due to lack of interest. I’m going to try again with an Easter Hot Cross Buns Event. I have a feeling that might be more popular. Can we count on you for a few trays?
Sending healing thoughts,
Blaire
Blaire Pritchard, MHRM, BBA, Director of Human Resources at Info-Tech Inc, PTA President, Proud Mom of Hannah and Will
—
Email from: Jessica Halloway
To: Blaire Pritchard, PTA President
Subject: Gentle Reminder
Hi Blaire,
I’m feeling much better, thank you. I’ve decided to round up the towels myself, then donate them to an animal shelter.
Relieved to hear about the pies as I’m starting a new job at a law office and may find myself short on time.
All the best,
Jess
Nobody ever said being a boss bitch would be easy. That’s what Jess had been telling herself multiple times a day for the last several days. But the truth was, she didn’t realize it would be this hard either. Other than Rachael and Betty, there was not one single person in her life who was happy for her. Jess and Diana hadn’t spoken since that awful night at Rachael’s. Not even so much as a text. The tension of it was horrible for Jess—almost as worrisome as the strain of having her entire family mad at her. She kept picking up her phone to call, or even text, but then setting it down, remembering how it was Diana who’d stormed out, not her.
Jessica’s mom was shocked, worried, and overcome with a sense of doom that her daughter was about to ruin her life. Winnie was giving her the cold shoulder, and had taken to talking through Mike, Noah, and even Baxter to get her feelings across to her mother. “Did you need me to feed you, Baxter? Since Mom doesn’t care about any of us anymore? Don’t worry, buddy. I won’t leave you for dead.”
