Chapter Thirty-Seven
It was dark out whenshe pulled into her apartment parking lot.She dragged her suitcase sluggishly behind her and unlocked her door.She leaned against the door after she locked it, exhausted.She left her suitcase where it lay and trudged into the bathroom.After brushing her teeth and ensuring the alarm was on, she closed her eyes and slept.
It seemed she’d just closed her eyes when the alarm went off.She pulled herself up and sat.She’d cried so much while she slept, her pillow was not just damp but wet, and she was amazed she had any tears left.She walked into her bathroom and drank two glasses of water before she peered at herself in the mirror.Jennifer grimaced at how swollen her eyes were and how pale she was.
She jumped into the shower, soaped herself quickly, and endured another crying jag.She dressed in her usual attire and headed out to the shelter after a few cups of coffee.
“Oh, God, Jen.What happened?Both Grant and Tessa have called so many times for you.”
Jennifer tried to smile but only had enough energy to hold back a new flood of tears.“Can you manage the place for me today?”
Kari nodded.
“Please only interrupt if it’s serious, okay?”
****
Kari
Kari’s eyes worriedly followed her into the office before the door closed.She bit her lip and looked guiltily at Jennifer’s closed office door before she picked up the phone.
“Mr.Batelli, please.He’s expecting my phone call.Tell him it’s Kari.”She only had to wait for seconds.
“Is she there?”
“Yes, Mr.Batelli, she just came in.”
There was a moment of silence.“How’d she look?”
“Truthfully, not good at all.I’ve never seen anyone look as pale as she is and be up and walking.”
Grant cringed and cursed under his breath.“I’m sending Tessa to her.If she leaves or something else happens, call me.”
“Mr.Batelli, wait, I feel guilty.I feel like I’m spying on her.”She heard a deep sigh.“What’s going on with her?”
There was a pause.“She’s been lied to.”
“And it has something to do with you?”
“Yes.”
“Are you two together still?”
