Jane
This would be the point in my books that the main character goes home and gets into a hot steamy bath with a glass of wine. Well, if my body would be covered by more than an inch of water I would, but alas as a woman with more of a whole package of muffins rather than a muffin top, I find baths as realistic as the shower sex scenes in movies. Instead, I get comfy on my couch with three of my besties—Tyger, my kindle and a cup of tea. It should be wine, but that will have to wait till tonight. I was surprised to hear from Mr. Grumpy himself. Jon was actually nice in his messages. Maybe there’s someone nice underneath the grumpy exterior. My dad’s that way, though he swears he’s only ever been nice to me. My phone dings again. I pick it up and see it’s an unknown number.
Unknown: Hey, this is Juan. Ry gave me your number. I’m looking at your SUV now. I don’t know that I’m going to be able to diagnose everything today and probably won’t have an estimate together till tomorrow. You need a ride to work in the morning? I happen to offer taxi service for a piece of that cake I hear you brought Pa.
The amount of smiley face emojis the man uses makes me laugh. He’s definitely a charmer. He’s so good looking too. I bet he can get any woman he wants. He may have been on my mind while I was using my BOB—battery operated boyfriend—last night. Who am I kidding? Mr. Grumpy man was on my mind too. Yes, in my mind, I’m a ho, where in reality, I think I’m closer to being a born-again virgin. I mean, if it could grow back, I think it would’ve at this point. I can’t tell you the number of BOBs I’ve gone through, but it’s in the double digits for sure. I just haven’t found a guy who wants me as more than a friend. Yes, I have dated, but they’re often guys who want a woman who they can walk all over, or think because I’m big, that I’d be grateful for any attention. My ex cured me of that. Being alone willalwaysbe better than being with someone who doesn’t see you as a person.
I look back at my phone and respond to Juan that Jon already offered me a loaner, and I was going to get dropped off there in an hour or so to pick it up.
Chapter 5
Rory
Two thousand and fifty-eight hours left. Today, my brothers are coming to visit. I both love and loathe their visits. I love seeing them and getting to talk to someone connected to the outside world, but it also reminds me how much I’m missing by being here. I’m so ready to get out. I can’t wait for that first hug from Ma, and her cooking. That first meal might just make me cry. It will be great to see Pa and see with my own eyes that he’s on the mend.
I was surprised yesterday when Ry came by himself to see me. He said he wanted to get a word in, and he knew if he came with Jon and Juan, he wouldn’t this time. He said that the gal they hired to help Pa rehab has them all twisted up. Said she seems oblivious to it so it’s been entertaining for him. He also brought me a letter from Pa and said it included one from her, too. She’s using writing to help him with his recovery somehow. Ry assured me that she’s focused on helping Pa and giving Ma some downtime so things don’t wear her down too much. There’s something else goin’ on with him but he denies it. His eyes give it away. He forgets that I can read him like a book. One of these days, he’s gonna realize I can tell that and give up trying to hide shit. Like the fact that he was lookin’ more at Brad Pitt than Angelina Jolie when they were in that movie together. He knows I won’t give a shit and the same for the rest of the family, but he has to deal with it himself.
I reread her letter for the third time in the last hour. She is a rambler, but I find it refreshing. It’s almost like she writes as I can imagine she talks. I about died laughing at the way Pa described how she handled Jon when he was being a full-on grump. That tells me she’s a lot stronger than it sounds like she believes. I already wrote Pa back and need to write Jane so I can give them to the Js when they come later. She’s definitely entertaining and if nothing else, that’s enough for me right now, as the hours tick by in this place.
Now to get this letter written so I can get another back that hopefully entertains me as much as her first.
Dear Jane,
I’m not sure I know how to start a letter to someone I’ve never met, but then again, I feel like I know you a little from your first letter. To answer your main question, yes, I would love to keep getting letters from you.
Your dog sounds like a great best friend. That’s one thing I would like to get soon after I get out and settled—a dog. I would think one could make a good companion for those quiet nights at home.
Since you asked, I don’t mind going out to a bar on occasion with my brothers, or more likely with the club, but to be honest, a night at home or at the clubhouse around a fire is more my speed. Quiet conversations and listening to brothers tell stories has always held more appeal than a night out to me. I’m not the biggest reader (other than letters) but I have picked up a hobby in here. I’ve been teaching myself to read music and how to play a guitar (well the idea of it.) Can’t actually have one in here, ya know? I haven’t even told my brothers I’ve been doing that. Something about it that I find kind of soothing and centering. That’s something I definitely need while in here. You asked me what meal I’m looking forward to the most when I get outta here. First, would be my Ma’s steak and eggs. She makes hash browns and homemade biscuits to go with it. It’s what I would ask for every year for my birthday as a kid. The other meal would be tacos—any kind of tacos. I also have a bit of a sweet tooth. Not in the league of Pa, but I did hear that what you brought him on Monday was amazing and delicious. Just know I’ll be next to Pa, happy to taste test any sweets you want to share. Okay, that probably sounds bad, but I didn’t mean it that way. Good Lord, please don’t think I’m this horny felon, making everything dirty. I really meant that innocently, honest!
So, I guess I haven’t asked too many questions yet, so here are a few that I thought of. You said you read a lot, what do you read? My sisters read romance, though they tell me there are many different kinds. Is that what you read, or are you a biography, mystery, or fantasy fan? What are your favorite foods? What would you consider a perfect day? You said your relationship with your mom is complicated. Do you not get along or is it something else? As you probably can figure out, my brothers and I are all adopted, though Ry and I are blood brothers. What’s your favorite thing to bake? I better finish this letter so I can include it with Pa’s. I’ll give them to my brothers when they get here in a few.
Can’t wait to hear from you,
Rory
P.S. Is there a boyfriend or husband that might be upset you’re writing to me? I don’t want to cause you any issues.
Jane
Thank God, it’s finally Friday. This has been a week—from talking Juan down from running and killing a little old lady when he saw my bruising, the realization that I have to give up driving the Explorer, to Jon insisting he go with me car shopping tomorrow. I definitely have earned my Friday night wine and book night.
I’ve got a juicy shifter book I’ve been wanting to read, and I picked up some wine on my way home since I’m still driving Jon’s truck. The one he claimed was a loaner, but Pa told me the truth. Mr. Grumpy is turning into a good guy who I hope I can consider a friend one day. Juan is too. He’s got a knack for texting me just when I need a laugh.
Going into the kitchen, I take out one of my wine glasses. I’m classy enough to drink my wine out of a wine glass but broke enough that the wine came out of a box. Yep. This week has been enough to make me think about just bringing the box of wine to the coffee table for easy access but I draw the line at that. Besides, it would warm up the wine and I can’t have that. A woman has to have some standards, after all. Now, am I going to later grab the leftover pizza and eat it cold over the sink? Abso-fucking-lutely I am. I have never claimed to be the proper lady my mom always wanted me to be. Life is too damn short for that.
As I sit down and get my tablet and my glass in hand, with Tyger on my lap, I hear my phone ding with an incoming text. I grab it and see that it’s Vicky. She’s not confirming our dinner plans for tomorrow. She’s letting me know she’s staying out of town this weekend. She’s met this guy and he is “amazing”. I know we’ve been friends forever, but this is beginning to be a more regular thing. She cancels at least two-thirds of the plans we’ve made recently, and most aren’t because of work or anything. I’m starting to feel like I’m the only one vested in our friendship. I’m gonna have to think about this some more. Before it gets too late, I give Nicky a call.
“Hey, bitch, what’s going on?”
“Nothing much. What are you doin’ tomorrow night? Wanna have dinner?”
“Did Vicky fucking cancel on you again?” He’s never been the biggest Vicky fan. He’s always told me that she takes me for granted and isn’t as invested in me as I am in her. He forgets that other than him, Dad, and Logan, that has been the case of every friendship or relationship I have ever had. I’m one of those disposable people.
“Yeah, she’s staying out of town this weekend. I wanted to know if you wanted to come over for dinner tomorrow night?”
“I work till like seven tomorrow but I can come over after. The guy I was talking to about going out on a date ghosted and I haven’t heard from him since yesterday. I’m not waiting around for that asshole.”
“Fine, you bring the drinks and I’ll do dinner.”
