“Do you need to take a step back?”
I tried to work through my thoughts before responding. But my heart lurched at the idea of stepping back. “I think I need to get out of my comfort zone. And part of what is confusing me is that I feel ready for it. But that doesn’t mean it’s not scary.”
We lay there quietly, and at some point we both eventuallydrifted off. When the alarm went off in the morning, I was surprised at how soundly I had slept.
“I can call a car for you, or we can both go to work together.”
“How about we wait for that until after we go to HR?” I asked.
“Good call.”
The rest of the week passed in a blur, and we barely had time to talk—not at work, not in the evening, either. Jonathan had a last-minute trip planned to help close the deal on a pitching phenom who was expected to be ready as our new closer. His parents, yes, he was barely out of high school, demanded that each of the final team owners meet with her. She wanted to know that her son was signing with the team with the best culture. Of course, Jonathan would be able to close that deal. Moms loved the man.
He seemed to have a playbook ready; this new pitcher would be the second kid we’d signed straight out of high school.
When Kylie called in distress on the night we were supposed to have a family dinner and launch her relationship with Luc, I ran to her. Fuck, I hated to see my sister in pain. Instead of showing up for dinner, Luc had broken up with her.
Jonathan: How was the family dinner?
Me: Your pitching coach broke my sister’s heart. Fire him, please.
Jonathan:…
Me: Sorry. That was said in anger. I know that team business and family business are separate. I just fucking hate him right now.
Jonathan: Does Kylie hate him?
Me: No, clearly she still loves him.
Jonathan: Then maybe they will work it out.
Me: Maybe.
Jonathan: Are you running with Kelsey tomorrow?
Me: Yes. And I can’t tell her about Luc…because of Sam.
Me: But I made a pact in therapy that I was going to pull the bandaid off and talk to her about my own shit.
Jonathan: I will be back midmorning. I’ll be there if you need me afterward.
Kelsey: Should we meet at the Public Garden?
Me: Sounds perfect. Our spot.
Kelsey: Great. See you by the ducks.
I was in the middle of my stretch when Kelsey arrived for our run. I let her lead the conversation for the first halfof the run as she told me excitedly about their honeymoon.
“Is everything good with Kylie? I was surprised that she missed family dinner. Didn’t she plan it?”
“I think it was just work. But you can feel free to ask her if you think something is off.”
“She’s just been a bit distant lately. I know I’ve been absorbed with the wedding, so hopefully she’s not upset about that.”
We continued in silence, and I tried to think of the right way to tell her. Is there a right way?
“Fuck it. I’m just going to rip the band-aid off.”
