Page 43 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

So, it hurts right now. Maybe this will be the hurt that actually fades like people said every other damn loss I’ve been dealt would.

I wake to Dad saying, “Aunt Josie brought dinner. Come eat.”

I’m not even hungry, I think as I wait to hear him walk away before rolling over and sliding off my bed.

After washing my blotchy face and swollen eyes with cold water, I make my way downstairs.

Stepping into the kitchen, I see Josie at the sink.

She looks over her shoulder while drying her hands. “Hi, baby girl.” Then she walks over and hugs me.

“Thank you for bringing dinner.” I’m grateful, even though I really want to be back in my bed basking in my heartbreak. One I always knew would happen, yet couldn’t just leave it alone.

She leans back and grips my shoulders as she looks me over. She frowns. She sees it too.

“Oh, baby girl.” Josie wipes away tears falling down my face.

I close my eyes. “Where’s Dad?”

“Getting the truck ready for a job.”

“Do you think he stays busy, because it hurts him to see all three of them when he looks at me?” I know I’m being dramatic, but I missed the opportunity to wallow for years, so apparently today I’m making up for it.

“You are uniquely you. A beautiful young woman. Absolutely stunning. The⁠—”

“I look too much like⁠—”

She cuts me off this time. “That’s a bonus.”

I whisper the words, the truth. “Not if it hurts people.”

“That jawline, that Ross nose. Jasper and Jason got them from your dad. Does looking at him make your heart hurt?”

I shake my head. “Of course not. But⁠—”

“My brother called me and said he was pretty sure you were upset with Ryan Brooks.”

“I’m not.” I kind of lie.

She pulls me into another hug. “You may not believe me now, but it’s better he bruised that beautiful heart of yours now than ten years down the road when you have a child with him, and you have to watch that child’s heart break every time he doesn’t show up.”

“It’s not Ryan,” I lie again.

“Okay, baby girl.”

Now she’s the one who lies, because it’s not okay.

“I brought a salad and barbecue chicken.” She kisses the top of my head and steps back. “And I made you some of that bowtie salad with feta that you love.”

“Thank you.” I walk toward the table.

“All set up on the back porch. We’ll eat with your dad.”

Dad is walking back from the mailbox, and I notice there aren’t quite as many envelopes as there once were.

He smiles at me, and Josie winks, “You’ve always been the light of his life, Jade Lillian.” I scrunch up my nose.

“What’s that look?” Dad calls to me.