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His harsh tone threw me off. “What?”
“Not gonna sit here and listen to you bitch about Karina when your constant yo-yo cycle is still going around in circles. You know what the definition of insanity is, right?”
“This isn’t about Karina. We haven’t been together for over six months.”
“Oh,” Jude said. “Well, this is new.”
I rubbed my eyes. “Look, I met this girl. A woman. Eliza. She’s special. She’s smart and funny and calls me on my bullshit and I have been able to do the same for her, I think. This is different.”
“What do you need my help with then?” Jude asked. “Sounds like she’s a winner.”
“She is. I like her. Mom and Dad hate her.”
“Why?”
“She’s got a past. I mean, she’s got a record and I think they know about it.” I rushed on before Jude could interrupt. “She was a minor, it was self-defense, she didn’t get a good lawyer, she’s been in foster care, living with her grandparents now. It’s a bad home life, I think it always has been. She uses a fucking flip phone for fuck’s sake. She keeps her laundry bins in her trunk so she can do laundry when she has the time or if she’s crashing at someone else’s place. She got into college on a full-ride scholarship. She’s smart, talented, and totally not what Mom and Dad envisioned for me.”
“What are you asking me? If you should pursue her despite what they say? Because if that’s your question, I am pretty ashamed of you right now.”
“What do you mean?”
“If you like her that much, the opinions of others shouldn’t have any influence on your relationship.”
“Well, yeah,” I said, taking a deep breath. “That’s not exactly what the question is. The real reason I called is to ask how to push on. You know how Mom gets. All teary, then Dad gets righteous in her name, and it’s all a mess. They think she’s a mistake, I know she’s not. She’s coming with me to the auction.”
“You still have to do that thing?”
I groaned. “Yes. Look, you clearly don’t care what they think Mr. I’m Gonna Drop Out of College and Become an EMT and Save Lives a Thousand Miles Away No Matter What You Say. How did you do that?”
Jude was silent for a time, probably thinking over his words. “I just knew I’d never be happy under their thumb, and that scared me. So, I took a chance to see what else there was. Hang on.” There were muffled sounds on the line. “Sweetheart? Are you alright?”
I heard a woman’s voice. “I mean, it’s been better. I think I can get up. Don’t help me!”
Then Jude laughed. “Okay, if you’re not back on the chair in thirty seconds I’m coming over there and lifting you by your ears.” Jude cleared his throat. “Sorry, I’m back.”
“What the hell was that?”
Jude laughed. “Caught that?”
“Are you seeing someone? What the hell is happening over there?”
“Hang on. Sweetie, can I tell Trask.” The line got muffled and despite straining my ears all I could make out was mumbling and maybe a dog barking. “Trask listen, you cannot tell Mom and Dad. We are going to come out this summer and explain everything, or come up with an explanation I don’t know—”
“Jude, you’re rambling.”
“I got married. Months ago. Almost a year, actually.”
“What. The. Fuck.”
“I know, I know, but it’s kind of fitting that I told you when you originally called for dating advice, right?”
I sighed, trying to wrap my head around it. “Ironic that you’re telling me to go for it, ignore our parents’ reaction when you, yourself, have yet to inform them of your marriage! What the hell Jude? Why didn’t you tell me? Who is she?”
He let out a long sigh. “Look, it was a very quick decision. I was helping out a friend—sort of. And I wasn’t sure it was going to work. But it is working, and it is not going to end. Just know that, despite the chaos, I am fucking happy.”
“I have a million questions, but I just pulled up to the house, and Mom’s out fixing the lights. I will be calling later and youwillbe telling me everything, you motherfucker.” I tried to sound angry and stern, but mostly I was just in shock. And jealous.
“I’ll explain everything, just keep this bit under wraps for now though, okay?”
