After serving another customer to my right, Jason turns his full attention back to me. “Let’s grab a table so we’re not interrupted,” he says, picking up his drink and rounding the bar. I rise from my stool, take my own glass, and follow him towards a small table at the back of the room.
We slide into our seats and set our drinks on the table, both of us leaning back in near-matching poses as we scan the room before our eyes meet again.
“I appreciate you taking time out of your Sunday afternoon to have lunch with me,” I begin, feeling the need to thank my best friend for always showing up whenever I need him.
“Ah, it’s no biggie. It’s quiet in the restaurant today anyway.”
“You’re leaving early then?”
“Yeah. Mila wants to see some movie she’s been dying to watch. Not sure I’ll survive a two-hour chick flick, but she promised me my own happy ending if I make it through. If you know what I mean.” He smirks, waggling his eyebrows.
“I’d rather not know what you mean. And I’d definitely prefer if you kept your sexcapade banter to yourself.”
“Hey, she’s an adult, I’m an adult. We have a healthy sex life—shoot me if that’s wrong.”
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. It’s just… hard to see Mila as anything other than the kid I used to watch growing up.”
“Well, she sure isn’t a kid anymore, I can tell you that.”
“I’m happy that things are going well for you two, Jase. I mean that.”
“Thanks, man. But we’ve encountered another issue would you believe it or not.”
“You got her pregnant before putting a ring on it?” I quip.
“No. Although, I wouldn’t be upset if that did happen. But this… this doesn’t even come close to what I’m about to tell you.”
“Oh, God… just tell me. It can’t be any worse than everything I’ve already heard lately.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that once you hear the news,” he says. “But long story short, Elena’s in jail.”
My jaw drops instantly. That was definitely not the news I was expecting. Just when I thought nothing could shock me anymore, this one takes the cake.
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope.” He shakes his head, his expression almost unreadable, as if the news doesn’t faze him at all. “Unfortunately, I’m not. Her mother called me last week, hysterically sobbing, saying she was arrested in the middle of one of her lectures at the university. And now she’s being held until her trial.”
“Why the fuck is your ex-wife in jail?”
“Several of her students, came forward to the University’s governing board, accusing her of sexual assault. They gathered enough evidence to build a case against her. She was also charged with manipulating their grades and threatening their academic futures to keep them quiet. If convicted, she could face serious prison time.”
“Fuck, I’m so sorry to hear what you and your family are going through.”
“Jake’s been living with me full-time, and if Elena gets handed the maximum sentence, which looks likely, he’ll be in my care for a very long time.”
“How’s he been through all of this?”
“I’ve tried to explain things it to him as gently as I could, but there’s only so much a six-year-old can understand. He’s been asking questions here and there, such as how long his mother will be away for, or if he’ll get to see her, but we don’t want to overwhelm him. We’re just taking it day by day, doing our best to navigate this as a family.”
“And what about Mila? How is she handling everything?”
“She’s been an absolute angel through all of this. I can’t put into words just how patient and supportive she’s been.It’s actually brought us closer. I don’t know what I would do if she weren’t here.”
Mila and Jason’s ex-wife were never on friendly terms. Elena, driven by her own insecurities and selfishness, never warmed to Mila and made little effort to hide it. In fact, she went so far as to interfere in Mila and Jason’s relationship, deliberately trying to drive a wedge between them.
Her meddling played a part in their eventual breakup, a line she crossed so deeply that Jason finally drew one of his own—threatening to destroy her career and reputation if she ever interfered again. After that, Elena kept her distance. Any communication regarding Jake was filtered through her parents.
“I’m glad you’re not facing this alone,” I tell my best friend. “And if there’s anything you need, even if it’s just someone to vent to—I’m here.”And I mean it with every fibre of my being. Jason has always shown up for me, especially when life became too much. Now it’s my turn to return the favour.
