Page 28 of Yours to Lose
You have, and I appreciate it. I’m sad to be away from the babies for three months though. They’ll be so big when I get back.
Hallie
We’ll video chat a lot and I’ll send pictures. This is a huge opportunity, Jo Jo. You had to take it.
Hannah
I second that. And I’m around. I’ll be over more since you’re away.
Hallie
You’re the best, Han.
Hannah
Evans girls have to stick together. And someone has to be around to ward off Mom if she gets a wild hair to start visiting every day again.
Me
Is she still bothering you, Hal?
Hallie
Not much. After I told her I was tired of her telling me all the ways I was doing it wrong and that Ben and I were perfectly capable of figuring out parenting all on our own, she backed off.
Me
I’m proud of you too. And I’m sorry that she couldn’t just be a grandma without all the judgmental assholery.
Hallie
It’s fine. I’m fine. Ben’s mom is the best grandma of all time, and between you guys and my friends, these babies have more than enough love in their lives.
Me
Fucking right, they do.
I click off my phone and toss it onto the island that separates the kitchen and living room, my mood sobering just a touch at the thought of my mom and her overbearing, judgmental streak. When I told her I was coming to New York for the summer, all she said to me was that she hoped I was “taking appropriate shoes for work,” and that I should “consider toning down my wardrobe.”
Ugh. Thinking of her just reminds me of everyone who has ever told me to be less when every instinct I have screams at me to be everything.
I force all those thoughts from my head as fast as they come because the evening spring sunshine streams through the windows and it’s like the entire city is calling to me, beckoning me to explore.
Smiling again, I pick up my phone from the island and pull up my text thread with Jordan because if I’m exploring, I need my exploration buddy. He might have thought I was exaggerating about the J’s Summer of Fun, but I absolutely was not.
Over the past few weeks that we’ve been texting, I think I’ve gotten to know him pretty well. At first, he wasn’t the best texter, but he warmed up to it. He went along with my little Dippy scarf game without a qualm, and he has done every single homework assignment I’ve given him. Even the weird ones like when I sent him a Batman T-shirt to wear under his scrubs for National Batman Day.
It all just solidifies my belief that Jordan needs a friend and some extra fun in his life, and I am just the person to give it to him.
Me
I MADE IT BESTIE
Jordan
Made it where?
Me
