“No,you’rea baby!”
Listening to myself, I know I sound insane. I’m well aware of this fact.
But I can’t help it.
That’s the Jo Lawson effect.
Chapter eighteen
You are One Bad Ass Bitch
Jo
“So, let me get this straight–you have been back for approximately two weeks, and you’ve already been kicked out of the animal shelter?” Ronnie is laughing so hard that she can barely get out the words.
“I don’t know what’s so funny, chuckles. You’re not exactly a saint,” I tell her.
“No, but I’ve never been kicked out of the animal shelter.”
“Yeah. It’s not great. I’ll give you that.”
The woman who is giving me a pedicure gives me a very judgy look.
Don’t you start with me, lady.
When I asked Ronnie if she wanted to hang out, this wasn't what I had in mind. Manis and pedis aren’t really my idea of a good time.
But I was bored and didn’t want to be stuck at home with nothing to do, so I’m trying to roll with it–even though having a stranger touch my feet gives me the heebie jeebies.
“So, are you really not allowed back at the shelter?” Ronnie asks, finally quieting her laughter. “Or was Annie just blowing smoke?”
“Oh, she was serious. I’ve never seen Annie so mad…or mad at all actually. I feel so bad. I didn’t mean for things to escalate like that. It’s all Beau’s fault. He didn’t have to be such a dick.”
“Well,” Ronnie begins, but her voice trails off.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
I sigh. “Oh, just say it, Veronica.”
“I’m not saying I agree with how Beau was acting, but I guess I kind of get it.”
I don’t say anything because I know my sister, and I know she’s not even close to being done.
“You ruffled a lot of feathers when you left, Beau’s most of all. When you skipped town, he had to learn to live without his best friend. After he figures out how to do that, you’re back. And not only are you back, but you’re working with him. On his day off, he goes to the shelter to volunteer, and boom, you’re there too.”
“So, I’m not allowed to enjoy the town that I call home?”
“That’s not what I’m saying. Maybe just cut the guy a little slack. I know from experience that not having Joanna Lawson around is a tough pill to swallow.”
“Oh, I still saw you, Ronnie. Every time I came home, we got together.”
“I know. But you never hung out with Beau. He went from spending every single day with you to not seeing you at all.”
To be honest, I’ve never really thought of it like that. I’ve not given it much thought at all because if I did, I probably would have turned around and came right back home. And at the time, I thought leaving was what was best for everyone. I didn't think Beau would’ve held a grudge. Hell, I didn’t think that he would even still be in town. I figured he would have left to do amazing things and would have completely forgotten about me.
I guess I was wrong.
