Page 91 of The Choices I've Made
“Leave it to you to downplay everything. Do me a favor and visit Jake at the clinic. He’s there full-time now.”
She let out a laugh, still holding on to her side as she sat down in the seat next to me. We each took long sips of our tea, and I tried not to die from sugar shock.
“You and I both know that boy is not here full-time. He checked out a long time ago.”
My heart tightened. “I know,” I replied. “Has he been around?” I asked, my attention turning toward the house next to hers.
“No,” she answered. “Not since that first day I found him in the garden. I thought he was with you. Something happen?”
I bit my lip. “Let’s just say, we decided it wasn’t a good idea.”
A snicker fell from the old woman’s lips. “Was that before or after you rattled the bedposts?”
“What?” My eyes widened in shock.
“Oh, please. Do you think I’m dumb, young lady? Do you know how many times I saw you two making out in the back of his pickup when you were supposed to be studying at the school or running errands for your mama?”
My checks reddened.
“You’ve had it bad for each other for as long as anyone can remember. It was just a matter of time before you landed back in the sack like two horny teenagers again.”
“You’re quite the spy, Miss Terri,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief.
“I might be old, but I’m sharp as a tack. Always have been. That’s why I’m so disappointed in you for giving yourself to that boy after all he’s done.”
“I didn’t,” I said, protesting.
Her hand left her side, reaching out for mine. “He’s not going to stay, Molly. You know that, don’t you?”
I nodded sadly.
“Do you? Because I see you nodding your head, but I know you don’t believe it in your heart. I can see it in your eyes. You truly believe, somewhere deep inside, you can change his mind. But the thing is, that boy is broken. And, until he figures out a way to fix himself, ain’t no one gonna be enough. Not even you. Are you ready to chase after him? All the way to Chicago?”
I didn’t say much after that, the weight of her words settling around me like boulders.
Was she right?
Did I really think he was going to stay? That, somehow, in the eleventh hour, he’d change his mind, show up at my doorstep, and declare his everlasting love for me?
A single tear fell down my cheek as she bagged up a few of my usual things.
I did.
Dear God, I truly did.
She bid me good-bye, saving the usual banter for another time. She knew I’d seen the light, and it would take time to process.
Unfortunately, processing time would have to wait.
Because, the moment I stepped out of Terri’s, I came face-to-face with Jake.
