Page 14 of The Jerk in Apartment 1B

“Okay.”

“Trina, come on. It’s me. Tell me how you’re doing.”

“I’m actually doing okay. I’ve been so busy since it happened that I haven’t had time to think about it. Last night was bad, trying to sleep without him next to me, but I managed to get through it.”

“That’s gotta be so hard. I’m really sorry. I wish I could be there with you. Is there any way you could come home for a few days?”

“I can’t. I don’t have money for a plane ticket, and I’m starting a new job tonight.”

“You already got a job? Trina, that’s great!”

“Not really. The job’s at a grocery store. I’ll be stocking shelves.”

“At least it’s something. And who knows? Maybe you’ll like it.”

“I doubt it, but it’s a way to make money until I find something else.”

“Now you just need an apartment.”

“I found one. It’s a studio, not much bigger than a closet, but the rent is really cheap and the neighborhood is decent. The chance I’ll be murdered here is a lot lower than in other areas.”

“You shouldn’t joke about that. Be careful, and don’t go out alone at night.”

“You sound just like your mom,” I say, remembering when she’d tell us that back in high school.

“I guess I do,” Callie says, sounding sad.

Why did I say that? I’m so stupid sometimes, or maybe it’s my lack of sleep.

“Callie, I’m sorry,” I rush to say. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, it’s fine. I kind of like that you compared me to her. She was a really good mom.”

It’s been years since Callie’s mom died, but it’s still really hard on her, especially now that Callie’s a mom herself.

“So when do you move into your apartment?”

“Today. I’m in my apartment now, waiting for the movers to get here.” I check the time. “They should be here any minute unless Asher lied and never hired them. What if he threw all my stuff out?”

“He wouldn’t do that. He’s a jerk, but I don’t think he’d throw your stuff out. How much do you have?”

“Not much. It’s mostly clothes. All the furniture was Asher’s. I don’t even have a bed.”

“Are you serious? Trina, you need a bed.”

“Sara’s going to loan me her air mattress. I have to go get it later. I couldn’t carry it and my duffle bag at the same time.”

“Asher should’ve bought you a bed,” she says, sounding disgusted with him. “How could he leave you with nothing? The guy was going to marry you.”

“Hey, don’t get me started. I’m trying to be zen about the whole thing, at least until I’m moved into my new place. After that, I’ll freak out. One thing at a time.”

“I don’t know how you’re staying so calm. I’d be furious. I’d want to punch him and then… I don’t know what else I’d do but it wouldn’t be good. You sure you don’t want me to send Nash out there to deal with him?”

I smile. “Thanks for the offer, but I think you need Nash more than I do right now. Speaking of that, how’s parenting going?”

“We’re getting better. Nash is so good with Addie. I love watching them together. He’s such a good dad.”

“I figured he would be. The way he was so protective of you, I can only imagine how protective he is with little Addie.”

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