Jay gave me more of himself last night than he ever has. The circumstances were completely unexpected, my dad selling the Maverick to his long-lost brother, but it’s like fate pulled that whole story together for this reason. Like I had to do a favor for my Dad, not once, but twice, for me to meet Jay and get us here. Better yet — and I’m not one for “everything happens for a reason,” — but if this was the endgame of losing my job, disappointing my parents, and stressing about my entire future, it just might be worth it.
I reach for my phone again and send a quick text to Jay.
ME:Text me after work. I miss you already.
I know he might not be able to check his phone for a while, but I want to remind him I’m waiting for him when he gets done. I swipe out of those messages and into my chain with Chloe to send her one too.
ME:Are you alive?
After a few minutes, and no texts back, I decide to head home. I have no idea when Jay gets done today, but I’m in desperate need of a toothbrush and a shower.
Feeling refreshed, I sit down at my computer to work on my novel. I still haven’t heard from Jay or Chloe, but I have writing to do anyway. I've barely touched my draft since I started it the other day and after last night, I’m flooded with ideas. Apparently, all I have to do is have mind-blowing, heart-shattering, sex with a man who is tall, inked, and handsome, to bring my dreams and fantasies to fruition.
I had the idea to write a story about childhood best friends growing up together after Jay told me about his tattoo with Ronan. He told me sparrows survive in all kinds of difficult situations, and it made me think that friendships, or any kind of relationship, are like that too. Whether it be the type that finds each other in the thick of the heavy stuff, like Ronan and Jay’s, or the type that just deals with new problems as they come, like mine and Chloe’s, all relationships experience trials.
Which is why I started my story of Alice and Owen — two young friends who grow together and take on life’s hardships as a team. I hope that by telling the story in two different time frames, one with them as children and one as teenagers, young adults will be able to relate to the natural ebb and flow of a relationship as people get older and evolve over time.Friend and friend, sibling and sibling, parent and child, the goal is that there’s something relatable for all types of connections.
I write for the next few hours, continuously it seems, barely stopping for even a check in spelling. Before I know it, my computer’s dying, my stomach’s growling, and my hands are cramped in the best possible way. I save my document, close my laptop, and check my phone, surprised to see there’s still no new messages.
Jay doesn’t shock me, from what I know he rarely checks his phone as it is, but even when there’s time at work, his hands are usually too dirty to even risk looking. Chloe, on the other hand, surprises me.
I scroll through my contacts until I reach her name and call her. Right to voicemail. I try again thinking it was just a fluke and again her voice pops through saying, “Sorry, Icananswer the phone right now, I just don’t want to. Leave a message. Bye!” I feel the thoughts start swirling in my mind but I remind myself it’s Chloe. She probably left her charger in the car again and is just too lazy to go outside.
I occupy myself with a cup of tea and another Google search for jobs. Scrolling through the short list of nearby available positions, I expand my search and one listing catches my eye. I click on the post.
Description: Freelance writer needed for pet rescue
Responsibilities:
Writing creative descriptions of available animals
Interviewing adopting families for website content
Regularly updating brochures with rescue information
Requirements:
Relevant writing and editing experience
Open availability to meet demands of intake and events
