Page 34 of Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice

“So, Jenna. Which part of Australia are you from, and how do you like living in the US?”

She grinned. “I’m from Melbourne, and love the States, but we’re not talking about me.”

Kim lifted a warning finger. “Don’t you dare change the subject. You’re free to ask Jenna about her country and the kangaroos and the spiders later, but first we want to hear all about your sordid past with Monsieur Building Expert.”

I hesitated, but the glint in her eyes told me she meant business. “There was an incident. Ten years ago.”

“What kind of incident?” Kim wriggled her eyebrows. “The sexy kind?”

“No. I used to have a crush on him when we were teenagers.”

“Who wouldn’t?” Kim smirked, as Jenna murmured her agreement.

“He was my older brother’s best friend. I foolishly thought I was in love with him, so convinced we belonged together. But he’s always been so cold and unfriendly with me, even though he’s charming with everyone else. God knows how many hoursI wasted trying to make him notice me, hoping he’d return my feelings.”

The bottle of sake came, and Kim motioned for me to continue as she poured some of the clear liquid into three cups.

“The week I turned eighteen, we went out to celebrate my birthday. Me, my brother, Eric, Alec, and my best friend, Naomi. We went skating, played a few games of mini golf, then had dinner. It was one of the best nights of my life.”

“Ahh, young love.” Kim sighed.

“After that, Alec and my brother went to see some of their friends, and Naomi and I tagged along.” I cringed as memories of that night came flooding back. “I remembered thinking, ‘maybe he’ll notice me now because I’m finally a grown-up.’ So I waited for the right time, then cornered him alone and professed my undying love.”

“That’s very gutsy.” Jenna gave me a supportive nod. “What did he say?”

“Nothing. He just stared at me. I thought maybe he couldn’t hear me because the restaurant was too loud, so I repeated what I said.”

Kim’s eyes widened. “And?”

“He was quiet for the longest time. Then he said, very bluntly, that he wasn’t interested in me. He didn’t feel the same way, and he never would, because I meant nothing to him but as Eric’s little sister.” Ten years later, and it still stung. “Then he walked away.”

Jenna gasped, while Kim hissed under her breath, “Jerk.”

Our food came, and I bolused for the sushi before continuing the story, but my appetite had disappeared. “A few of their friends were egging me and Naomi that night, daring us to drink, making bets on who was the more sensitive lightweight between the two of us.”

Kim frowned. “Is this where things get ugly?”

Nodding, I inhaled a long breath. “Eric was on a call outside, so it was just me, Naomi, Alec, and those other guys. Alec just sat there, looking bored, uninterested in everything. Didn’t say a word, didn’t tell those guys to leave us alone. And you know what I thought?” My laugh sounded hollow, as my captive audience shook their heads. “I thought, maybe it’s my chance to impress him. Maybe he’ll finally see me as an adult, not as Eric’s uncool little sister.”

Jenna winced. “Oh, Ellie.”

“Naomi tried to stop me, saying we’re not supposed to, and how we could get in trouble, but I was so determined to impress him. So I took a sip. Then another sip, until I ended up finishing an entire bottle of beer. And the next bottle, then a cocktail. That’s when the shit hit the fan. I had a severe hypo and passed out.”

Jenna interrupted, “Wait, what’s a hypo?”

“It’s short for hypoglycemia. That’s when my glucose level drops too low, below what is healthy for me.” I shuddered as I thought of what could have happened. “In severe cases, it can cause the person to become unconscious, and if left untreated, it can be fatal.”

There was an “Oh my God!” from Jenna, and a quiet “Fucking hell,” from Kim.

“They rushed me to the ED. I knew I brought it on myself for having those drinks without thinking of the consequences. But for a long time, I blamed him for what had happened, because he could’ve stopped those jerks from taunting us, but he didn’t.”

“But you’re drinking alcohol now.” Kim gave me a puzzled look and pointed at my sake cup. “Why couldn’t you then?”

“It’s different for everyone, but for me, it was a combinationof too much physical activity and too much alcohol that night. It was also my first time drinking, and I didn’t know how to properly estimate the insulin for the drinks,” I said. “It decreased my blood sugar down to a dangerous level. Not long after, Alec left home, and I never saw him again until last week.”

“Was he the reason you moved here?” Jenna asked.

“No. I didn’t even know he lived here. I needed to get away from my family and that disastrous marriage proposal, and the right opportunity just happened to be in Port Benedict.”

---