Sarah strikes up a conversation with him, and it’s so loud they are basically speaking into each other’s ear, effectively cutting me out, and I try not to let it get to me. But it does.
Sipping my water, I wait patiently for them to finish talking until he waves to the bartender and orders Sarah a drink.
She glances at me and nods as if she’s giving me her approval.
I smile through the odd feeling rolling through me and let it be what it is.
Jake finally includes me in the conversation, talking about going skiing at Breckenridge and Vail later this winter.
I barely get a word in, but I’ve never skied a day in my life. I have no interest, but I don’t mind hiking though.
Jake checks his watch and sighs. “I have to get going,” he says.
I smile, waiting for him to ask me for my number, but he gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek, then goes to Sarah and does the same. He whispers something in her ear and she nods to him.
He winks at both of us and makes his way out of the club.
Not ten seconds later, Sarah whips out her phone, and I can see from here that she’s typing in a new number to text it. And I should look away. I don’t want to see what I know is inevitably coming, but I look anyway.
Hey, it’s Sarah.
I look away, unable to take anymore and hop off the stool.
“I’m going home!” I yell.
Sarah frowns and gives me a hug. I have no idea where Cassie or Rachel went, and truthfully, I don’t care.
When I get home, I tiptoe up to my room, careful not to wake my parents. Then I let myself burst into silent tears. I let myself wallow all the way through pulling my makeup off, taking a shower, and getting myself into bed.
Frustration falls in rivers down my face, and I need to accept that this is what it is. Maybe it’s time for me to be done with the club scene. I don’t know how muchfaking itI have left in me.
Chapter 3
Mae
WhenIgetupin the morning, my skin feels dry and my eyes are tired. As much as I’d like to wallow in bed, Mom needs me.
After I get dressed, I head into my parents’ room. Mom is sitting up sipping her coffee that Dad usually brings her in the morning before he goes to the office.
“Good morning, tesoro,” she says and puts her book down on her legs.
“Hey Ma, ready to get dressed?”
She carefully sets her coffee on the table before scooting her legs to the edge of the bed. The MS has progressed a little too rapidly, but we finally have her at a place where it’s slowed, but she still needs help to get dressed and down the stairs. I’m thankful she can still walk — that’s a blessing in and of itself.
My phone dings and I check it, expecting my boss.
“Oh, we need to do your shot today too.” I remind her.
“You take such good care of me,” she says quietly.
I lean over, helping her rest her weight on me before standing. She grunts and finally stands. I grab her cane and hand it to her before going to her closet.
“Could you get the grey slacks and that pink shirt I like?” she asks.
I nod, finding the pretty pink blouse. Mom doesn’t work anymore, but she still dresses like she’s going out for the day or to a big meeting. She’s a classy lady and always has been.
After I help her dress, she sits at her vanity to do her makeup. I don’t have to help her with that, but her range of motion in her shoulders has been rough lately, so I have to do her hair. I brush it and clip it back the way she likes it.
