Brynn
I’m trying to keep busy, because this whole waiting things out plan isn’t working for me. I figure if I can keep busy, I won’t have the need to corner Jasper and go off on him and try to shake him out of this funk he’s in.
When my phone rings, I lunge for it, welcoming the distraction.
“Hello?” I ask, kicking myself for not checking the caller ID first.
“Brynn, dear, I was wondering if you have time to meet me for lunch?” Jasper’s mom asks.
“Sure, Mrs. Adams. Where were you thinking?” I ask, as I pull up my calendar.
“Well, today if possible. Jasper went into work at Samuel’s, and I’d rather talk, when he isn’t here.” She says.
Samuel’s is his restaurant. It the fancier one known for its southern twist on seafood.
“Of course, I can be there in half an hour.”
“Perfect, see you then, dear.” She says.
As soon as we hang up, I call Lin.
“Hey, keeping busy?” Lin answers.
“I was trying, and then Jasper’s mom called and invited me over for lunch today,” I tell her.
“I wonder what she wants,” Lin says.
“I have no idea, but I plan to find out. You watch The Inn for me, while I’m gone?” I ask.
“Of course! But I expect all the details, when you get back.” She says.
“Of course!” I try to mimic her enthusiasm, and judging by the look on Lin’s face, I failed.
Once off the phone with her, I send a text to Rich, letting him know I will be stepping out for a bit and to call Lin, if he needs anything. Then, I go to my room to get ready. I know she won’t care what I wear, but I feel like this is important, so I want to dress up a bit. A sundress and some strappy sandals will do the trick. I touch up my hair and makeup, before I head out.
As I pull down the familiar street, I worry what she has to say might not be good news. Parking in the driveway, I start to miss Jasper something fierce.
The front door is open, so I tap on the screen door.
“Mrs. Adams?” I call out.
“Come on in, dear. I’m just finishing up the sandwiches!” She calls from the kitchen at the back of the house.
I head in, making sure to take my sandals off.
“Oh, look how beautiful you are in that dress. Please, tell me you’re going to walk down Main Street and be seen after this!” She says.
“Of course!” I laugh. Though, I hadn’t planned on it, but why not. I can get some donuts for Lin and me, while I tell her about this lunch.
Once we’re seated, she wastes no time with what she wants to talk about. Of course, it’s about Jasper.
“So, the other night he came over for dinner, and we talked about the one year anniversary of his dad’s passing coming up. I thought we’d plan something and spend the day together. What I hadn’t planned on was throwing him into this funk.”
“That was the first night he stayed back here, huh?” I ask more to myself.
“Yep.” She looks at me, waiting for me to add in my two cents.
“Well, since that day, he’s kept me at arm’s length. I sent him home the other day, because he was scaring my kitchen staff. My staff who like to talk and joke and always have smiles on their faces were scared to make a sound. He’s going through the motions, when he’s with me. Hug, kiss, but he isn’t seeing me. He isn’t there.” I sigh.
“I’ve noticed it, too. It’s the same, when he’s here at home. Then, last night, he comes home from working dinner shift at the bar and pours himself a drink. Well, a few drinks. Then, he starts rambling about how he doesn’t know how you forgave him, because he can’t forgive himself. Then, he said it was no wonder you haven’t said I love you yet, when he tells you.” She says, giving me a soft look.
I know my cheeks are red, as I can feel the heat.
“I’ve been hesitant, yeah. He walked away last time, and now, I feel like he’s walking away again. Did he tell you the day of that lunch I gave him a key to my place? I’ve never done that, and Lin is the only other person who has a key. I was trying to show him little by little.”
“No, he didn’t tell me.” She shakes her head.
“He promised to come over that night after dinner with you, but texted and said he was staying here. The next day, it was like he had checked out.” I say.
“Tomorrow, is the anniversary, and he’s decided to go out fishing, like he and his dad used to do.” She says and eyes me.
My blood runs cold. He’s going out on the water in a fishing boat.
Just like my parents.
I clamp my eyes closed and turn my head down, as my heart races. Panic fills me at the thought of him out on the water. The same water that took my parents the same way, after a day of fishing.
“Oh, Brynn. Does he know how you feel about all this?” She asks.
“He knows I haven’t been back in the water and won’t go in the ocean. Anyway, I doubt he’d care how I felt about him going on the water. I’m sorry I need to go.” I say, standing.
I know I’m being rude, we aren’t done with lunch, and we are in the middle of a conversation, but I can’t stay here. I don’t remember leaving her house or the drive back to The Inn. But the next thing I know, I’m in my room and lying on my bed crying, and I can’t stop.
I don’t know how long I cry, but when I open my eyes, my head hurts, my eyes hurt, my heart hurts, and the sun is setting. I must have drifted off.
So, I text Lin.
Me: SOS! My room.
I know that’s all I have to say. We don’t send SOS messages often, but when we do, it’s bad. My guess is she will probably bring Kade with her.
A few minutes later, I’m proven right, as she uses her key and lets herself in with Kade right behind her.
“Oh, Brynn.” Lin sighs and climbs into bed with me. I scoot back just enough, so she can lay down facing me. Kade sits on the other side of me with his back to the headboard.
“Jasper’s…” I start crying again. “Going…fishing…tomorrow.” I choke out. “On a… boat.” I sob. Thankfully, Lin is the one person in the whole world who understands why I’m so upset. On the anniversary of his dad’s death, he’s going to go fishing on a boat in the same water that has claimed our parents’ lives.
I’m terrified, and I’m pissed he’s shutting me out. I’m hurt more than anything, and I don’t know how to deal with any of it.
“It’s going to be okay,” Lin says, wrapping me in her arms.
“It’s not. I’ve had this gut feeling for weeks and now this. Lin something bad is coming. I feel it.”
They don’t say a word. Not that they would know what to say. Thankfully, they don’t leave me alone either. Lin stays in bed with me just like in old times, and Kade takes the couch.
It’s great to have a family, even when your world is crashing down around you.