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What more could you ask?
I still hated that Aubrey was across the hall and stuck with Payton. Aubrey assured me it wasn’t a big deal. They pretty much steadfastly ignored each other. That didn’t mean Aubrey didn’t keep her bedroom locked, but she also spent more time hanging with Forrest and our friends when she didn’t drop in on me and Jonas.
That was something, I supposed.
Thanksgiving came and went. Aubrey, Yvette, and I had debated plans. I headed to California to see Pen, Jackie, and Bronson for the week. They went to see their families to free us all up for Christmas.
We’d already talked about Canada for Christmas. We could go to Banff and ski, or maybe head over to Switzerland. For that matter, we could head south to Maryland. Lots of options, but I wanted an excuse to go away.
There was a pair of notes on my door when I came up the stairs from my midday run—one to me and one to Jonas. The lettering was pretty fancy, but Jonas wasn’t back yet. I flew back early so I could have a couple of days for assignments and to look over the latest musical sheets Jonas had given me.
The run had been as much about shaking off frustrations directly related to Pen’s treatment as it was my mother’s headlong dive down the rabbit hole. She was back at the Sunshine Retreat and taking no calls as she spent time contemplating her future.
I got lunch with Johnny when I was in Los Angeles. He had no idea what to do about her. She wouldn’t answer his calls, either. Trish told me Mom hadn’t called before she disappeared back to the retreat.
“Do you think you could…”
“Go back up there and talk her out?” I propped my chin on my hand and raised my eyebrows.
“I was hoping,” he said, sadness filling his eyes. “It would be different if I knew what I’d done.”
“Johnny, you have to know it wasn’t you.” It wasn’t any of us. “Mom’s just…” Did they have a word for Mom? “High maintenance. She’s found something that gives her an easy fix of comfort with no responsibility. I don’t think she’s running away from you so much as her life.”
That was as gentle as I could put it.
“So, do I just wait?”
“Well, I’m not exactly the queen of relationship advice. But you don’t have to do anything. Relationships should be two-way streets. You can’t give everything and get nothing back. It’s not fair to you…”
“I don’t care about me,” he admitted with a prolonged sigh, then motioned to the sushi on my plate. “You should eat more. You’re too skinny.”
“Don’t start.” Jackie and Davina had both been the same way. I wasn’t eating enough. I was too skinny. I needed to count the calories and make sure I wasn’t undercutting myself. I used my chopsticks to pick up a piece of dragon roll. The spicy rich flavor was perfect.
By the time we finished lunch, I’d filled Johnny in on my autumn semester and the fact I wasn’t sure about college. The funny thing about Johnny was he was more than just a beautiful face. He was genuinely nice and thoughtful.
“Before you go,” he said as we were heading outside. Dix waited at the car for me, and Johnny had driven himself. He handed me a red enveloped card.
“Please tell me this isn’t another pic for Mom,” I said without opening it. If it was, I’d just deliver it unopened, thank you so much.
Johnny chuckled. “No, it’s a present for you, sweet girl. Your birthday is soon. Probably won’t see you before next year, so I didn’t want to forget.”
“Should I wait to open it?” I grinned.
“You can,” he said, though a smile flirted with his lips. “But I don’t mind if you open it early.”
I slit the envelope and pulled out the birthday card. The front of it read18 Years of Being a Bloody Legend. I laughed, then opened it up. The interior made me laugh harder.Now you can use your own ID.
Johnny had signed itLove, Johnny.
Inside was a photo of me and Mom from her first time at the Golden Globes. I must have been all of six in the picture, wearing an identical dress to my mother and our hair was done in the same style.
On the back of it, Johnny had written, “Legends are bornandmade. You’re the author of your own story. Never forget.”
I blinked back some surprising dampness. I didn’t even know there was a photo of this night. I had so much fun. Mom and I had been like besties all night. She didn’t win, but it didn’t matter. It was one of the few times where she seemed to just enjoy the moment.
Looking back on it, maybe one of the only times.
I gave Johnny a hug and he squeezed me gently. “I don’t know where you found this, but I love it. Thank you.”
