Page 76 of Vince
But what if it doesn’t end?
“What’s going on in that head of yours, Syd? I know you. If you bottle things up and let them fester, you’ll only be worse off.”
“True,” I admit. “I just feel like he’s holding something back. Julia said something yesterday, and it’s got me thinking.”
“What did she say?”
“It may be nothing, but I was talking about Grams and mentioned she had passed away. Julia said her grandma has, too. Maybe she didn’t understand what I meant, or it’s her great-grandma or something, but now that I think about it, Vince hasn’t ever talked about his parents before. Maybe something did happen to his mom?”
“You know the only way to get to the bottom of things is to ask him about it.” She shrugs as if she’d rather not be the bearer of bad news.
“What am I supposed to say, Chloe? Hey, Julia mentioned her grandma died, can you tell me about it?”
“Uh… I wouldn’t say it like that…” she points out the obvious. “But talk to him. You know… communicate with him so there aren’t any misconceptions.” She may as well have added duh to the end of her case, as that is clearly her tone.
God, I love her. She always just says it how it is.
When I’m quiet, she adds, “Have you considered googling it? Death certificates are public record.”
“I don’t even know his mother’s name. I’m sure there’s a lot of Larsons in the greater Seattle area. Besides… if that really happened, I’m sure he’ll tell me in his own time. It’s not like we’ve known each other forever. If it was recent enough for Julia to remember it, then maybe it’s too fresh in his mind to even talk about.”
Knowing what I went through after Grams died, I want to give him the space and time he needs. Even though my mom and I aren’t exactly close, it would be hard to lose her.
“True. Though it seems you have two major conversations you need to have with him.”
“Really? What’s the first?”
“Asking him why he won’t jump your bones!” she teases. “Though he clearly is satisfying you, you still need to let him know you’re a woman with needs.”
“Oh, God, Chloe, you’re awful.”
“But I don’t hear you denying it,” she singsongs as she rinses her bowl and puts it in the dishwasher.
She’s got me there.
* * *
The next night, as I get off from work, Asher walks me to the car as usual then heads off to his own vehicle. When I get to my car, I lock myself in but take a moment to check the messages waiting to be read before starting my car.
As usual, there’s one from Vince.
Vince: Gonna crash. Have a good night. Text me when you get home.
Normally, I’d have a chance to respond during the night, but we were slammed. I swear you’d think more people would stay home to study as the semester continues, but nope—this place is always full.
Turning my key in the ignition, I’m met with a dreaded sound of clicking instead of the engine coming to life. Fuck… this cannot be happening.
I try again and all I get is click… click… click.
The lights are on at full force, so it’s likely not a dead battery, but damn. I don’t know much about cars.
I glance around the parking lot and see Asher’s taillights disappearing in the distance. Fuck. If it weren’t so late, I’d just walk home.
With it being this late, it could be hours before I get a tow and be charged a fortune. Fuck… this is the last thing I need.
Pounding my fist on the wheel, I plead to the car gods, “Please… just start…”
In a desperate attempt to deny my reality, I try one last time to start my car, but no luck.
