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“A phone call in the middle of the day? To what do I owe this honor?”
Chase laughed. “I had a few minutes to say hello. How’s your day?”
“My day is okay. The past week has been fine, as well.”
“I know it has been a while since we talked. I’ve been sleeping every free moment I get. I’m exhausted.”
“I know the feeling. Work has been crazy. So, listen to this: I hatched a plan to help your mom out, and get Tanner and Charlotte back together at the same time. I am a mastermind.”
“What do you mean help my mom? What’s wrong?”
“She’s just stressed with work. She is trying to run this business alone, and she won’t let me or Tanner help her. I got Charlotte on board, though. I really think it’s going to help.”
It was quiet on the other end of the line.
“You should try to call her more. She misses you.” I paused. “I miss you.”
“I’m trying to juggle everything as best as I can, you know. I don’t need the guilt trip right now.”
“Babe, I’m not trying to give you a guilt trip. I know how hard you are working over there. You don’t have to explain yourself to me. Just tell me that you miss me,” I laughed. “That’s all I need to hear.”
“Of course I miss you,” he snapped. “You left me, remember?”
We were both silent as the smile disintegrated from my face. I had always felt comfort in our silences. Now, I only felt sadness.
He sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I have to get back to work.”
“Okay. I’ll try to call you later. I love–”
“Yup. Later.” I pressed the red button before he could finish his sentence, and tossed my phone onto the toolbox. I closed my eyes and tried to breathe through the mixture of emotions swelling up into my chest. I paced back and forth as I tried to regain my composure.
“You okay over there?” Tanner called.
I shook my head.
“Save it for T.J. later.”
I stuck my ear buds into my ears, and turned up the volume on my iPod. I rolled under the car that needed work, letting the music drown out my thoughts for the remainder of the day. I worked straight through lunchtime, and did not even notice it was time to close the shop until I saw a pair of black slip-on shoes standing beside me.
Charlotte waved when I looked up.
I took out my ear buds, and managed a smile. “How was your first day?
“It was good. Beverly is amazing. I don’t know how she’s doing it all by herself.”
“She’s Super Woman.”
“I just wanted to say thank you for getting me this pseudo internship.” She glanced over her shoulder at Tanner, who had his back turned to us as he packed his tools away. “I thought it would be weird working with him, but it was fine.”
“Have you guys talked at all today?”
She shook her head. “He stayed out of the office, like you said he would.”
“You sound disappointed.”
“It’s the first day. We’ll see how it goes, I guess.”
