AllFreeNovel
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I’m sitting in my kitchen with my two best friends, each of us with a pint of our respective favorite ice creams. There’s a pint of Rocky Road waiting for Jade. That’s her favorite flavor. She’s coming by in a bit.
Reggie nods toward Jade’s ice cream. “Is she working late?”
“I’m not sure. She’s beenverybusy lately. I think she’s seeing someone but won’t admit it when I ask.”
Victoria seems to agree. “Pandora said Jade hasn’t been going out with the girls at all. She thinks there’s a secret boyfriend too, but said Jade is tight-lipped about it.”
Just then we hear the front door open and close. Jade walks into the kitchen looking completely disheveled, which is very unlike her. She’s become the epitome of well-put-together style over the past four years.
The three of us look at Jade, and then at each other, and start laughing hysterically.
As she takes her ice cream and spoon, she says, “What are you three nutjobs laughing at?”
Reggie looks her up and down. “Your buttons are uneven, your pants are unzipped, your hair is a mess, your face is flushed, and your lips are puffy. You just had sex.”
Jade’s grin widens as her mischievous eyes sparkle. “Maybe I did. Are you three jealous?”
We all giggle. I raise my hand. “I am. Anyone special?”
Her face turns serious. “I don’t do special.”
I know my daughter. Her words are hollow. I think thereissomeone special in her life right now. I hope I’m right. It’s about time she had something resembling a healthy relationship with a man. At least I hope it’s healthy.
Reggie shakes her head. “If I looked like you and had your body, I’d whore myself all over town to every hot guy walking by. As of now, Sam practically has to slap my thigh and ride the wave in.”
Jade holds her stomach in hysterical laughter. “Oh shit, that’s a good one, Aunt Reggie.”
I lightly smack Jade’s hand. “Don’t encourage her. Ihate when she says stuff like that about herself.” I turn to Reggie. “Cut it out.”
She simply smiles and winks at me.
Victoria asks Jade, “Do you know if Pandora is seeing anyone?”
Jade shrugs. “I think she was a few months ago but not now. She’s dickpressed like my mom.”
Victoria looks at her in confusion. “What’s dickpressed?”
“When you’re sad or upset about the lack of dick in your life.”
The three of us start giggling. She’s not wrong. “I think you’re right about me. I’m completely dickpressed.”
After Reggie and Victoria leave, Jade and I sit on my couch. She takes my hand. “Are youreallyokay? I know you wanted this, but I’m sure it’s not easy. Breakups were never easy for you.” She spent half her childhood scraping me off the floor as I bounced from bad breakup to bad breakup.
“I’m fine. It was a hard decision, but I know in my heart it was the right one. I want a man I can’t live without who feels the same for me. Maybe I’m still a fool for love, but I want something truly extraordinary. Someone that gives me something I’ve never had before.”
I see her deep in thought, as if contemplating my words. I squeeze her hand. “I know you’re seeing someone, and I suspect it’s special. Tell me about him.”
She turns her head away. This is how I’ve damaged her. I dated so many losers who disappointed us while she was growing up. They treated me poorly, often stealing from us on the way out the door. And we didn’t have much. She’s afraid of giving in to a relationship because of me. She assumes all men will let her down because that’swhat they’ve done to me. I wish I’d set a better example for her.
“I don’t know if I’m ready to discuss it, Mom. It’s casual.”
“It’s been months. I know it has. You’ve been different. It’s okay if your feelings for him are more than casual.”
Tears well in her eyes and I pull her close. She whispers, “I don’t want to get hurt.”
I hate myself for making her assume all men will hurt her.
“Not all men are bad. Just the ones I choose. Despite my less-than-ideal experiences, I believe that.”
