Page 71 of Baby, It's You
Five minutes later, Hunter walks through the entrance and holds up a bag from Smiley Sushi. Of course he picked up my favorite food. He had to drive at least thirty minutes to grab it, too. I give him a small wave as he strolls over, smiling wide, like he does every time he sees me.
“Hey, Olive, hope you’re in the mood for cheeseburgers,” he jokes as he hands the paper bag to me. I open it up, deeply inhaling the scent of miso soup and tempura rolls. My mouth waters and I decide I will have a few bites. I look back up at Hunter and tell him a faintthank you. The relief on his face when I take a bite makes me feel even worse inside. Why does he care so much about me? Why can’t he just leave me like everyone else?
“I don’t want to put pressure on you, but have you talked to Tripp yet?” he asks me quietly.
I shake my head in response. “No, I’m going to today, though.”
“It will be okay,” he tells me, his never-ending optimism that things will just work out a harsh contrast to my own mind.
Hunter fills the rest of the time together with stories while I eat. He tells me about Eddie hiring a lawyer to deal with the app issues, about his mom getting asked to paint a mural at a local park, and about how Wes is going to start a band, apparently.
I smile listening to the stories, but I know it doesn’t reach my eyes. I am just going through the motions, doing the things the old me would have done. Deep inside, I know that girl is gone.
When I finish eating, Hunter gives me a hug and says goodbye, telling me he will stop by before work tomorrow so we can get coffee.
I nod my head. “Okay.”
He smiles at me one last time before leaving.
I know that if this conversation doesn’t go the way I want it to with Tripp, I will be busy packing tomorrow.
Chapter 49
Hunter
Iwoke up this morning feeling strange. I didn’t feel anxious or sad, just kind of like something ominous is coming. I even spent an extra thirty minutes working out to try and shake off the bad feeling, but still it remains.
The past few weeks I’ve done everything I can think of to help Olive. I hope each time I see her that a little bit of healing will show through. That there will be a hint of the woman she was before still in there. But I think I’ve lost her. She seems completely shut off from me; she never tries to touch me or look at me. She glances at me, but her stare goes right through me. I can tell her mind is always far away.
I hear a tap on my window and look up to see Mrs. Sonjia Ray knocking on it. She smiles brightly as I roll down the window.
“I thought that was you!” she greets me warmly. Her outfit is colorful with long and flowy layers; she looks like a woodland fairy or Mother Nature, like Olive said.
“Hi, Mrs. Ray.” I grin back.
“Sonjia,” she corrects me, still smiling.
I nod my head. “You’ve got it.” I then remember that Jane was her best friend. I meet her eyes and add, “I’m so sorry about Jane.”
Mrs. Sonjia looks off at the mountains past me. “Yes, well, I’m lucky to have had a friend like her. Losing her doesn’t take away the many magical years we had. She was a real gem.”
I look at my steering wheel and rub my finger over the stitching, not sure what else to say.
“How is Olive?” Mrs. Sonjia asks. “I’m here to visit her.”
“She’s struggling, I can tell.” I feel like there’s a frog in my throat. “She will be happy to see you, though.”
“I brought her some butter.” Mrs. Sonjia pulls a large mason jar full of fresh butter out of her bag and winks at me.
“Well, if anything can make her feel better, your butter will.” I chuckle.
“How areyoudoing, Hunter?”
“I’m great,” I quickly say, my go-to people-pleasing response.
She stares deeply at me. I feel like she’s reading my mind. “Tell me the truth, it’s okay. I see a sadness in your eyes, too.”
I blow out a breath. “I’m really worried about Olive and honestly, I’m worried about losing her. I feel her trying to cut me out of her life.” I look down at my lap as I confess. “I need her.”
