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There was a long, quiet pause while she thought about what I’d just told her.
She finally broke through the quiet and talked. “Joseph said you don’t want to do anything with the line anymore. Is that true?”
“It’s not that I don’t appreciate what you’ve done,” I said, carefully choosing my words. “I’ve just never really liked fashion. I’ve never liked being in the limelight. You remember how much I hated modeling, right?”
“Yes,” she said. “I thought you didn’t like that job. I didn’t know it was all of it that you didn’t care for.” Her voice seemed sad. Disappointed. I could tell I was breaking her heart.
“I’m so proud of you,” I said. “You have worked so hard and all on your own, built this fashion empire that has people all over the world adoring you. I adore you, too, Mom. It’s just we’re different people. You’re very extroverted, and I’m more like Dad. I like to be on my own. I like things quiet. I want to try other things with my life. I want to see what kind of future I can make for myself, just like you built your own life.”
“I understand,” she said. “I’m not mad at you, Heather. I’m disappointed in myself for not seeing it. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” I said. “You are an amazing mother, and I know you’ve always wanted the best for me. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she said. Just as she said it, there was another ring through the phone.
“Honey, that’s my work phone,” she said. “I’m so sorry I have to let you go.”
“It’s okay,” I said. “I’ll be home soon. We’ll talk a lot more then.”
We both hung up, and I laid back on the bed with a relieved sigh. That conversation had gone far better than I had anticipated. I played through the verbal exchanges in my head and kicked my feet, excitedly, that all had gone so well.
Then came the knock on my door.
I looked through the peephole.
Jessie.
I almost didn’t open the door, but I was feeling inspired by the conversation I’d just had with Mom. Maybe I could make sense of a conversation with Jessie, as well. I opened the door and let her in.
“They just announced we will be docking in Montego Bay tomorrow!” she said, doing a happy dance next to my bed. “I am so excited! We will have all kinds of time there to do some shopping and go sightseeing. I heard some rumors that Smithy is going to teach some surfing lessons from the beach!”
“That’s great!” I said. “Jess, we need to talk, though.”
She groaned. “Heatherrrrrrrr…” she whined. “All you’ve done this whole trip is be mad at me! Can’t we just let it go and have fun tomorrow?”
“No,” I said. “I’ve been just letting it go for years, and all it’s done is make things worse. I need you to really listen and respect me for a change. I have feelings I want to talk to you about.”
“Look,” she said. “If you don’t want to be my friend anymore because of some drama you’re having with a man you only met a few days ago, then that’s on you. That means you’re a bad friend. Not me.”
“You know it’s not just about Matteo,” I said. “It’s Joseph, too. And all our other friends and everything we’ve ever done together. You always say I’m your best friend, but you have never really treated me like an equal, Jessie. I’m just someone you keep around to tag along with you, so you’re never alone!”
“Is it wrong of me to not want to be alone?” Jessie asked. “Heather, we grew up together. You and I used to be like peas in a pod, and then all of a sudden lately you act like you don’t even want to know me anymore! I don’t understand what’s happening with us!”
“Then you haven’t been paying attention,” I said. “Please go. I really don’t want to hang out with you. Not tonight and not tomorrow.”
For once, Jessie didn’t say anything. She just looked at me and started crying, then shut the door behind her as she left.
Chapter 18
We arrived in Montego Bay the following morning and were given careful instructions about when to return to the boat for departure. There was also a dramatic scene as we exited the boat. Lissa had decided to quit the game, handing me an envelope with a check to pay for the trip inside. Apparently she and the captain had had some sort of falling out, and rather than push him to reconcile, she was going to catch a plane home early.
Everyone except Jessie felt sorry for her. As Lissa disappeared around the corner, Jessie raised a fruity drink over her head and whooped. “Party, girls!” she said. “Free trip!”
I exchanged a knowing nod with Niki. We both knew what a relief the forfeiture must be to Jessie, considering she had still had no luck convincing Smithy to pay her any attention. It wasn’t for lack of trying, though. Her very next move after her celebratory arm pump was to corner him and ask if he surfed.
I rolled my eyes and turned around, nearly running into Matteo. He gave me a quick glance, then looked away awkwardly. I did the same. I had no desire to stay on the beach near the boat. I wanted to explore the local shops and see what I might find that would spark my curiosity.
The streets of the city were lined with colorful shops and buildings, boasting a variety of wares. There were clothing stores, tattoo parlors, fortune tellers, and more. I thought about visiting the fortune teller too long and soon realized the line outside her doors was wrapping around the block. I didn’t want to waste my limited time waiting, so I decided to see what else I could find.
