I fired off a text.
Me: What the fuck do you mean, “she’s gone”?
Thankfully he responded right away.
Adam: She sent Lainey a polite “I quit” text the day after Ruthie got home from the hospital.
Lainey texted with another apology and asked her to please reconsider.
Jess responded that she was no longer living in Haven Springs. We went over to your house, and it looks like no one’s there. The minivan’s not in the garage.
Me: Did you check her parents’ place?
Adam: The only thing her mom would tell Lainey was that Jess and Ruthie were “out of town” and she didn’t know when or if they were coming back.
So, when the hell are you headed home?
Me: Another week, at best.
Adam: You’re fucked, dude.
Me: No shit.
I decided to send Jess a text. I figured it was better than nothing.
Me: Babe, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there when you and Ruthie needed me. Is she doing okay? And yes, you’re both insured through me. I hope you’ll let me explain everything when I get back.
She didn’t respond for several hours, and I felt like climbing the walls every time I looked at my phone to see no reply.
I was only “on grid” for a few more hours before I was rendezvousing with a new partner, and we were going dark again for who knew how long.
Thankfully, Jess finally responded. Although, it was worse than I expected.
Jessica: Ruthie’s fine.
I got the insurance information from Sarah. There’s no need to contact me again.
Yeah, that’s not happening.
But I wasn’t going to have that discussion while I was halfway around the world.
But then she offered me a glimmer of hope a few minutes later.
Jessica: I hope you get home safely.
****
Jessica
My finger hovered over the send button for what felt like an eternity before I finally pushed it.
I reasoned that if something happened to Alan, I’d hate to not have at least told him that.
Actually, knowing me, I’d feel like it was my fault for not sending the text. Like I’d cursed him somehow.
Whatever. It’s sent.
Hopefully he made it back safe and sound, then we could get divorced.
