AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I once gave up everything for someone because I thought that’s what it took to make a relationship last longer than a few months.
I can’t give everything to a person who won’t do the same for me.
We can look each other in the eyes, Enzo; we can lie to each other, but our realities don’t match up, and that is no one’s fault but our own.
Chapter 16
Phoebe
33.8734° N, 115.9010° W Joshua Tree National Park
Ipulloveronthe side of the highway, and a few others follow me while the rest of the world rushes by. We stop and watch the sky light up with fireworks, and I make a wish on every single one. I see the colors flare, and when the spark fades, I can still feel the warmth in my heart. Because even if you aren’t here to see it, even if you aren’t here to view the same sky, it still matters to me. Because these are my memories, and I get to honor and celebrate them for becoming mine.
Congratulating memories. Moisture patterns my cheeks, and I don’t even wipe them away. I let joy go. I feel alone on the side of the road washing me clean of regrets. Giving me a renewal of new chances yet to take. I did this all because you believe I couldn’t. That I wasn’t strong enough to belong to a wandering soul or a world you had no ties to.
But you would disapprove of this. You would call it a small-town scene. Like everything grand happened within the streets of high-rise condos and blocked city views, all because when you name a city, people can recall something about the place even if they’ve never been.
It's better than they can a name on an exit sign on a dirt road that led home.
Where did you go? When you knew our celebration was half of you? An empty seat with deflating balloons. Sometimes, the sunset looks like confetti taped to the sky; I wonder where you are. If I could find you and share a slice of birthday cake.
“Did you know the Joshua Tree isn’t actually a tree? It’s a type of Yucca.” I tell my assistant and friend another fact she doesn’t care to hear.
“Are you ever going to talk about what happened in San Francisco?” Rachelle can claim to love the wilderness, but she does not. It’s nice she doesn’t complain that much about it.
“What happened in San Francisco?” I lower the map to see what she is referring to.
“Phoebe, you were pretty harsh on Kenzo.” Elle rubs her hands even though it’s hot in the middle of the day.
“He deserved it.”
“Maybe. Or, maybe Kenzo also was worried about how to handle your reunion. Maybe he went out with his friends because that is normal to him, and he needed to regain his balance after you crashing into his life again.” Elle is trying to be diplomatic about it.
“Whose side are you on?”
“Right now?” She scrunches her face. “Probably Kenzo’s, only because I think you should give him another chance and maybe let him explain himself. You’ve both changed; it’s been years. Plus, I am a sucker for second chance romance.” Elle gives me that puppy dog lovesick look.
“I can’t believe what I am hearing. I am going to dock your pay.”
“You can’t. It’s against the law to lower my pay based on personal discrimination.”
“What? Who came up with these laws?”
“Law makers, probably.”
“You’re a little bit of an asshole when you aren’t in your comfy hotel getting pampered, aren’t you, princess?”
“Take it back!” Rachelle stands up and chases after me, her sandals flinging up dust.
“Where is your loyalty? My own friend, the person I am closest with, and you are trying to talk rationally about the mess he made.” I climb up, and rock has my feet extended so she can’t reach me.
“You can’t stay up there all night.” Elle puts her hands on her hips.
“Um, yeah, actually I can. Wilderness junkie here.” I point to myself and then to her. “Sucks to be, princess!”
“Come down, right now, and I might consider switching sides.”
“Wow, is that how you win every argument with your boyfriend? You just throw a tantrum and get your way?” I clap my hands together, and it echoes on the rocks, making a tiny mouse run between Rachelle’s legs.
