Page 31 of Life After

“Then you should pursue that dream.” Suzanne couldn’t fathom why Jen hadn’t gone on to be a teacher. If it was something she desired, then Suzanne would support her in any way she could. It didn’t matter if their relationship was in the very early stages; she wouldalwayswant to see the women around her thrive. “I saw how happy you were doing her homework with her.”

“That was just me feeling appreciative of the fact you’d included me in your plans, babe.”

Jen could stick with that, but Suzanne didn’t believe her. Something was playing on Jen’s mind, and Suzanne desperately wished she would talk it through. “I understand that, but it felt like something more.”

“You weren’t even in the room with us. How can you possibly know what it was or wasn’t?”

Suzanne pulled away a little, noting how Jen had just winced. She didn’t enjoy being spoken to with an attitude, so she would forget about this conversation and settle in for what was left of this night. “R-right. Okay.”

Jen sat up in bed and turned to Suzanne. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to speak to you like that. I just… The teacher thing isn’t a possibility for me. I’d rather not talk about it.”

Suzanne held up her hands and shifted to her own side of the bed. “You’ve got it. No more discussion.”

“Hey, no. I am. I’m sorry.” Jen inched closer, hesitating where she rested on her knees in the middle of the bed. “It’s just not a good conversation for me to have.” She chanced a hand, relaxing her shoulders when Suzanne took it. “It was really nice helping Elsie out with her homework, but that’s all it was. Homework. I don’t crave the idea of being a teacher anymore, and I don’t want to discuss it only to end up wishing things could have been different all over again.”

Suzanne sighed. “But you hate the courier job, Jen.”

“Actually, I don’t.” Jen smirked as she crawled towards Suzanne. “Without that job, I never would have met you.”

“I know that, but it doesn’t change the fact that you would be happier elsewhere.”

Jen lifted a shoulder, seemingly unbothered as she got comfortable next to Suzanne again. “Maybe one day I’ll try something else, but for now, it works for me. I get to see you every evening, I have every Friday off, and I only work a half day on a Saturday. That’s not a bad rota for me at all.”

Okay, Suzanne could understand that side of things. She just imagined Jen in a much more fulfilling job. “I guess you’re right.”

Suzanne didn’t need to work at all. John had left her everything he had—which was a substantial amount—but she did it for her own sanity. Sitting around watching TV all day had never appealed to Suzanne. She needed something to keep her busy.

“I’m happy with my life the way it is. That’s all you need to remember.” Jen leaned in and kissed Suzanne’s cheek. “This, with you, is perfect.”

Suzanne melted a little at that. How could she wish for something more for Jen when Jen was happy here like this? Perhaps rocking the boat wasn’t the way to go here. If Jen was satisfied with her life, then who was Suzanne to try to change that? “I feel the same way.”

“Finding you is kind of the same way I describe unplanned nights out.”

“I’m sorry?” Suzanne frowned, utterly confused.

“You came along unexpectedly, and it’s just been amazing. It feels as though we haven’t even really needed to try hard at this. You know?” Suzanne nodded, hoping Jen would continue to elaborate. “It’s the same as a night out that hasn’t been planned. Those nights arealwaysthe best nights.”

“Ah. You mean like a night out that’s been planned for months in advance, but it’s just a flop? Nothing fun happens?”

“Exactly!” Jen laughed. “But those nights when one of your friends calls to tell you to get ready when you’re lying on the couch bored to tears… They end up being the greatest.”

Suzanne lay back and took Jen’s hand. She allowed the silence to envelop them for a moment or two, and then Suzanne turned her face to Jen. “Our unplanned night out turned into something beautiful, didn’t it?”

Jen turned her face to Suzanne and grinned. “God, it really did.”

Jen busiedherself in Suzanne’s kitchen, turning the volume up on the radio a little. Considering Elsie had wanted to make breakfast this morning, she was currently sitting on the couch reading a book. But Jen couldn’t complain. It wasn’t often she came across a young childwillinglyreading a book these days.

She set a bowl of fresh fruit down on the counter while Elsie’s choice of porridge sat cooking on the stove. Jen couldn’t recall ever doing this for someone, and especially not a relative of the woman she was dating. But mornings like this only reminded her that she had made it out the other side. At one time, she would have been eyeing a room full of women in a prison, wondering which one of them would snap that day…and if it would be aimed at Jen. It didn’t happen often, but when a convict suddenly turned, anyone was fair game. Jen was no stranger to that.

“Jen?”

Jen jumped when Elsie appeared behind her, pulling herself up onto a stool at the kitchen island.

“Yeah?”

“Did you know Uncle John?”

Jen lowered the stove and crossed the room. “I didn’t. Unfortunately.”

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