“Well, I guess I could come here instea–”
“No, Remi. You just don't get it,” I mutter, cutting her off and standing up. “Whatever friendship endeavor you're on right now is not going to work. You think if the people in this town were to see you hanging around me that they'd still talk to you? That they'd still like you?”
Her silence is confirmation that she hadn't thought of that, and she knows I'm right. Nothing good will come of this for her, and it's better that she realize it now.
“Exactly.” I leave her sitting there with the fish and start back toward my front door.
“I'm not going to stop,” Remi calls to my back, causing me to stop and turn around. She stands up and dusts off her shorts. “I'm not going to stop with my 'friendship endeavor'.”
An ocean breeze plays with her hair, tossing it over one shoulder and then back again. There's still a determined look in her eyes. And there shouldn't be.
“Then you're stupid if you're willing to risk giving up a whole town just to try and be friends with someone who doesn't even want it.”
With that, I turn around and walk into the house, making sure to lock the door behind me. Why she doesn't just give up, I don't know.
CHAPTER 10
Remi
Despite me saying that I wasn't going to stop trying to be Jacob's friend, I haven't been back to see him in a few days. As much as I'm ashamed to admit it, what he said about the town treating me differently, did get to me. When I got home that night, the words had finally sunk in.
I feel like I've been on high alert for any behavioral changes from anyone that I've spoken to ever since. Every sideways glance and every frown in my direction has had me wondering whether or not they saw me with Jacob and then wondering if he was right.
Then I feel bad and even annoyed for worrying about it to begin with. Can't I be friends with whomever I want?
But the answer to that question isn't a simple one, especially when it comes to a convicted rapist. I mean, why the fuckdo I even want to be friends with someone like him? I can't make sense of it.
He's not the type of friend I should be seeking out, and yet my gut tells me to do just that. And that's where all those conflicting feelings come back again.
I came to this town to start fresh; to make new, real friends. And be happy. So far, that is working out, and I don't want to ruin it. But I could still have that and be friends with Jacob, couldn't I?
These thoughts have been running through my mind for the past couple of days, and they continue to run through my head as I walk to work.
I speed up like I do every time now as I pass the last house before the main street, the one with the SOLD sign stillin the front yard. I've seen the dark figure in the window a few more times since the first time, but I can never tell what the person looks like, and it just makes me feel uneasy. It feels like I'm being watched. I don't slow down until the house is out of sight.
When I get close to the store, I see Tim Davis, the hardware store owner, walk out the door and head toward his car. He looks in my direction and offers a friendly wave. If he knew I was at Jacob's place a few days ago, would he still be waving at me? Would he still give me that wide toothy smile that looks like it will split his face if it goes any wider?
I want to believe that he would, but it's hard to say.
Jolene gives me her usual warm, motherly smile and greeting as I walk toward her at the check-out. When I first met her, I thought that she was friendly but a little stand-offish. But as time has gone on, I've realized that that is just something she reserves for people that she's unsure of at first. She's shown that she is anything but that when it comes to the people she cares about, me included.
That just makes me feel more guilty because she specifically warned me to stay away from Jacob. She said he was dangerous. And yes, I saw those news articles that had the words 'Aggravated Assault' in them. But besides his gruff attitude and asshole remarks, I just can't see any violent tendencies in him. Even when he put his hand on my neck, there was nothing vicious about it.
The simplest thing for me to do, is listen to Jolene, listen to him,and just forget about trying to be his friend. It would make things so much easier for me. It would also make the town happy – not that they know anything different right now – and life could continue on peacefully.
So why is it still the last thing that I want to do?
Hours pass by. People come and go. And still the answer doesn't get any clearer as to what I should do.
When I finish up serving Bertie in the afternoon and don't see anyone else around, I crouch down behind the counter to grab some more plastic bags out of the box and then end up cleaning up and sorting some things under there as well.
A couple of minutes later, I hear a “Hey” from above me.
I know the voice, but I really feel like I must be hearing things. I don't believe that it's actually himuntil I stand up and see Jacob standing there.
It's funny that he looks kind of annoyed that he said anything to me. It is, after all, the first time he's been the one to initiate a conversation. Well, actually, there was the time he asked if I was okay after the boat incident, but that doesn't count.
This time happens to be after he told me not to bother trying to be his friend. And here he is, basically being his version of friendly to me. It kind of proves to me that although he said he didn't want my friendship, I don't think he really meant it.
