I’m so relieved, I could cry. “I know just the place.”
*****
Unlike the other night at the food court, Jordy wolfs down her food as if her life depends on it. While we eat, I tell her about my teen years in detail. I try hard not to cry, but the events of today have left me feeling tender, and I can’t help shedding a few tears. Jordy’s eyes glisten as I speak, but other than the small noises she makes to show she’s listening, she doesn't say anything.
She declines my offer to take her home to see her dad and pick up a few things. She tells me he won’t notice she’s gone and, if he does, he’ll assume she’s still at her sister’s. She asks if she can take a bath, so I set her up with my fluffiest towels, a couple of candles, and an assortment of bath products.
“Take as long as you want,” I say, hovering in the bathroom door while the tub fills with water. “I’ll get the guest room ready and find some clothes for you to wear. Maybe we can have dessert and watch a movie when you’re finished. Or you can spend some time alone if you’d prefer. You can go to bed or—”
“Hollie.” Jordy closes the small distance between us and grips my forearms. “I’m going to stay in the tub ’til I’m a human prune, and then dessert and a movie sound perfect. Thank you.”
I nod wordlessly. We stare at each other for a long minute. Jordy is still holding onto my arms.
“I want to hug you, but I reek,” she says, and we both laugh.
I free my arms from her grip and pull her into an embrace. I think of the way Spencer hugged me earlier and how for those few brief, wonderful moments, everything felt okay. Jordy hesitantly loosens her arms, but I hold on to her and she tightens her grip, clinging to me.
“I think I get it now,” she says, her words muffled against my shoulder. “It’s not a handout when it comes from someone who really cares about you.”
“Exactly. Accepting help can be hard and I’m sure there will be times when I overstep or try too hard, but I promise it comes from a place of love. If you ever want me to back off, just tell me, but…I’m here and I’ll do whatever I can for you, okay?”
“Thanks, Hollie.” Jordy gives me a tight squeeze before releasing me. She swipes at her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater and lets out a shaky laugh. “I’d better go before the tub overflows. I’ll see you in a bit.”
After preparing the spare room and setting out a few different things for Jordy—a new toothbrush, some sleep clothes, and a change of clothes for tomorrow—I flop onto the couch, suddenly exhausted.
My phone buzzes on the coffee table. I’m tempted to ignore it in favor of giving myself a chance to regroup after the events of today. Curiosity gets the best of me, though, and I pick up the phone to find a text from Spencer:Just wanted to see how you’re doing. Did you find Jordy?
Me:Thanks for checking in. Jordy called and had me pick her up at her sister’s. She’s spending the night at my place and I’m giving serious thought to asking her to stay indefinitely.
Spencer:That would likely be a good thing. Is there anything I can do for you? Either of you?
I attempt to picture Spencer at this very moment. Is he at home? Is he still wearing his suit or has he changed into something more casual? Is he listening to music? Maybe drinking a glass of wine or perhaps something stronger? I could see Spencer liking something sophisticated, something it would never occur to me to drink, like brandy or sherry. There’s a small part of me that’s tempted to ask him to come over. Request that he pick up dessert on his way and we can make it a ‘thing’ between the three of us, having dessert together.
That would probably be weird, especially for Jordy. I want to see Spencer again, though. Want to look into his steady blue gaze, maybe have him wrap me in a tight embrace like he did earlier. Have him tell me everything will be okay.
My phone buzzes in my hand, startling me. I expect it to be another text from Spencer, but it keeps buzzing with an incoming call from him. “Hello?”
“I thought it might be easier to talk than text,” he says. “Unless I’m interrupting. I don’t want to take you away from Jordy when she needs you.”
“It’s okay, she’s in the bath. I’m glad you called.”
“Good. I thought it would be easier to interpret your tone when I ask again if there’s anything you need.”
I let out a tired laugh. “You think I’d say no on principle?”
“Would you? Or would you truly tell me if you needed something?”
He has a point. I preach to Jordy and to my friends about asking for and accepting help, but it’s not always easy for me to do the same. “Touché. I have everything I need right now, although I appreciate the offer.”
“You’re sure?”
I inhale deeply. Something compels me to tell him the thought that just popped into my head, even though it could muddy the waters of our newfound friendship. “I’m sure,” I say slowly. “All I really needed was this. Hearing your voice, having you make me laugh. Thank you, Spencer.”
He’s quiet for a moment. I close my eyes tightly and smack my forehead with my palm. Why did I say that?
When he speaks, his voice is softer than before. “I’m glad, Hollie. I always enjoy hearing you laugh. Will you call me tomorrow? And tonight if you decide there’s anything I can do for you or Jordy?”
“I will. Thank you for everything today.”
