Page 48 of Served
“It’s nice. Living so close to the water is a dream. I thought I’d get tired of it, but it hasn’t happened yet. The kids have some friends. Ethan loves his job, or at least he says he does. I do miss you and our parents. We always plan to visit around the holidays but then my parents plan to be here. We tell your parents you guys should come but they hate travelling. And you know your dad, he acts like the world will stop if he leaves work for more than 12 hours.”
We both laughed at that. It was true.
“I wonder how Dad will act when retirement actually takes effect? He’ll probably still go and make sure the new Chief is doing it right!” We both laughed again then enjoyed a few minutes of soaking up the sun.
Eventually Ann couldn’t stand the silence anymore. “So, besides all the commotion how’s it been? How’s work at the station?”
“Not bad. I love the station. Oh, Amy finally landed a job at the fancy art gallery downtown!”
“Oh my gosh, she hasn’t even posted anything!”
“Posted? You guys are friends on social media?”
“Oh yeah, how do you think I keep up with you two? You never call anymore!”
I sunk down in my chair.
“Anyway, that’s great. I’ll have to message her. So, what about you, still writing songs?”
I let out a heavy sigh, “It’s been a couple months, but I have a ton already. It’s hard to get producers and musicians to take a look. That’s why I auditioned for that band. I hoped to get the attention of the right people. But that blew up really bad.”
“Yeah, I saw you tagged in some pics. Your mom told me it was one of those guys.” She was staring at me with a concerned look. I guess eventually we would have to talk about this.
“Yeah, I really misread that whole situation. I guess I got lucky. Compared to other girls anyway.”
“I hardly call that lucky. But Iamglad it wasn’t worse. So, what happened? I mean, I know what happened, but how did you escape?”
Apparently, Mom didn’t give all the details. Although I hadn’t explained it all to her myself. I just assumed Dad knew it all and gave her details but now that I think about it, Dad wouldn’t do that. Too gossipy.
“Well, the owner of the club happened to come out the back door at the right time and scared him off.”
“Does Jason still own that place?” Ann asked.
Her saying his name sent a sharp jab into my chest.
“Yeah, he does. How do you know Jason?”
“Oh honey, don’t tell your brother, but in college all the girls were after Jason. Even those of us who had boyfriends still, what do they say now, got thirsty for him?” She was giggling hysterically but I couldn’t even muster a fake laugh.
“What was he like then?” I had to ask.
She sighed, “Oh, well, I dunno. Hot of course, but ya know, typical guy. He was polite and likeable. We all knew we didn’t have a chance. His girlfriend could’ve been a super model. And she seemed nice outwardly but then she did him so dirty. And when his dad was sick, of all times. Just goes to show you never really know most people.”
Now I was curious.
“Did they date all through college?”
She shrugged. “From what I remember. We weren’t in the same friend circles, but we did end up at a lot of the same parties.”
I needed to know so I asked, “What did she do to him?”
“Well, it’s all rumors of course and some of the details may be fuzzy because again, long time ago. But he was being stalked by half the female population so it travelled fast. But his dad was really ill, he cut to part-time classes, and was working a lot at that club. It was his dad’s. She ended up getting cozy with her so-called ‘friend’ and he busted them. He had gone to her apartment the night he found out about his dad passing and her and the ‘friend’ were bumping uglies. Jason punched the guy out and left and she supposedly chased him to the parking lot in a sheet!” She laughed so hard she snorted. “I’m sorry, I’m boring you, but it was the talk of the class! Anyway, he didn’t go back that year, and that’s when I was graduating. I heard he went back eventually, though. Too bad I was gone already.” She winked at me.
I stared out into the waves trying to digest that story. He had his heart broken twice in the same day. She screwed him over with a friend. My heart was rebreaking as I watched the waves crashing against the shore. I had a huge urge to go hop into the car and drive to him then hold him forever. But he walked away from me.
“Hey, you okay? I didn’t mean to bum you out. Is he a friend of yours? He was still bartending there the last I heard, but that was before we moved.” Ann was watching me waiting for a response.
“I know him. I’m fine. Just a lot on my mind right now.” Ann nodded with a sweet smile, but I wasn’t thinking about what she thought. “How about a snack and a drink?”
