My phone rings, pulling me outof the memory.I’ve been sitting in the parking lot of Just in Time for twenty minutes, waiting for Jonathan.
“Hi,” I answer with obvious excitement.“Are you almost here?”
Silence answers.
“Jonathan?”
“I, uh, can’t make it,” he finally says, his voice heavy with regret.“My dad expected me home after school to help him.I didn’t see his note this morning when I left.So, I have to help him now.I’m sorry.”
“What is he making you do?You only have one arm.”The disappointment comes out as accusation.
He lets out a humorless laugh.“Oh, he’s found plenty for me to do with one arm.Doesn’t really care if it takes me twice as long.”
I don’t understand his father.Never did.Jonathan and I don’t talk anymore about how impossible he is.Collin and I’ve gotten used to Jonathan arriving late or going home early over the years because his father expects him to do something.And it’s not like we can do anything to change it.
Except, this time, I can’t hide my frustration.
“Did you tell him you have plans?”
“Sadie,” Jonathan says with a sigh.“You know he doesn’t care.I have to get this done.What about tomorrow?”
“I’m performing tomorrow night; then I’m staying over at Livvy’s with the girls.”I think better of it.“I could cancel.”It’s not like I’m really friends with Livvy.
“No, don’t do that.”
“Jonathan!”his father calls for him in the distance.
“I gotta go.We’ll figure this out.Sorry.”They’re a rush of words, as if he’s literally being yanked off the phone.And then he’s gone.
I stare at the phone.What just happened?Doesn’t his father have actual workers to do things for him?I don’t even know if he pays Jonathan.But free labor is probably more important to him than his son’s social life.
I’m about to drop my phone into my purse when it starts ringing.
“Where are you?”Collin asks, practically drowned out by the crowd in the background.
“At Just’s, on a date that never happened,” I answer glumly.
“Jonathan stand you up?”
“His dad,” I say, blinking back tears of disappointment.
“Sorry,” Collin says, understanding in his voice.“Want me to meet you?You know I only come to these games because I’m so popular.My fandom demands my attention.But I’ve made my appearance, easy enough to slip away.”
I release a broken laugh.“Yes, if you can tear yourself away.I don’t want you leaving any broken hearts behind.”
“There will always be broken hearts in my wake.But my heart only belongs to you, Sadie Prescott,” he says, taking on a dramatic, deep tone, like he’s reciting lines to a princess standing on a balcony in some cheesy play.“Be there in fifteen.Order my usual so it’s ready when I arrive.Extra cheese.See you soon.”
As if he planned it,Collin slides into the booth across from me just as the bacon cheeseburgers, fries and shakes are served.He places a mini pumpkin, the size of a baseball, on the table in front of me.There’s a smiley face painted on it in bright yellow.
“Sorry about your date,” Collin says.“But I’m starving, so I’m not that sorry.”
I smile faintly.“Thanks, I think.I mean, I’m glad you’re here.And this pumpkin is so cute.That was sweet of you.”
“That’s what friends do.Cover for other friends when their dad’s a total dipwad.”
“Dipwad?”I question with a laugh.“Where did that come from?”
“Heard this old guy say it once and thought it was funny.”Collin dunks a fry into his Oreo shake before popping it into his mouth.“It works.So I’m keeping it.”
