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JJourdan: I’m on lunch until 12:45. I’m willing to bend the rules if you are.
C.Love: Cool. Are you on your laptop?
JJourdan: No. It was recommended we not bring personal items such as laptops. I’m in a log cabin library.
C.Love: That sounds wonderful.
JJourdan: You’d love it. There’s a visitation day happening this weekend. I know it’s short notice but we’re taking the weekend to have a staff family visit. The next round of students won’t start until Monday. If you’re interested maybe your Aunt could drive you down?
C.Love: I have to work this weekend. Wish you would’ve told me sooner.
JJourdan: Sorry. I guess I wasn’t really thinking about it. That was unfair of me to ask on such short notice.
C.Love: Yup. I have a life.
JJourdan: I never said you didn’t, I just didn’t think you’d want to visit me so I hesitated to ask.
C.Love: Why would you think that? I’d love to visit you only now it’s too late to ask Mr. Sweeny for time off. It’s not very many of us working the mobile ice cream truck. I’d have to ask someone to take an extra shift or ask someone to work longer hours. That wouldn’t be fair to them either.
JJourdan says: I know. I said I’m sorry. Maybe we can plan something for when you get back to Smalltown.
C.Love: As long as it’s not a surprise going away party.
JJourdan: It won’t be. I wouldn’t do that to you. Jessa might, but I won’t. I’ve been meaning to ask how you’ve been. Like really been. I know it’s the first summer without your mom. How are you holding up?
C.Love: Fine.
JJourdan: It’s me. Talk to me.
C.Love: I broke down a week ago. Couldn’t stop crying. I called you but that must have been when the snake had used up your battery life.
JJourdan: That darn snake! You know I would’ve answered if I had my phone. I’m here for you. Really. Oh and thanks for the roll of quarters by the way. Just one small problem...
C.Love: You don’t know my phone number by heart, do you?
JJourdan: No. I thought I did, but I wasted a quarter calling some old woman who had cats meowing in the background.
C.Love: That’s hilarious!
JJourdan: It was pretty funny. Can I call you now?
C.Love: Sure, but don’t you only have a few minutes?
JJourdan: Yes, so hurry up and give me your phone number.
C.Love: That’s not the way you ask.
JJourdan: Aye girl, lemme get them numbers? What I gotta do to get dem digits?
C.Love: You’re silly. Try again.
JJourdan: We’re losing time.
C.Love: Then ask correctly.
JJourdan: Clove Daniels, wise, beautiful, poetess and care package giver, may I please have your phone number so I can hear your southern, sassy voice?
C.Love: 731...
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I stare at my phone, waiting for it to ring any minute. Three minutes until JJ’s lunch break is over. I should stop watching my phone. Mama used to say a watched pot will never boil. I make myself busy but turn my volume up so I can hear it. Ten minutes later, I think JJ has forgotten about me or either something came up.
I busy myself with chores while listening to music until it’s time for me to go to work.
* * *
Around 10:45 p.m. my phone rings with a Georgia area code showing on the screen. “Hello?”
“Hey, Clove it’s me, JJ. I borrowed someone else’s phone because there’s this guy who’s been hogging the payphone to talk to his girlfriend. He was on it earlier which is why I couldn’t call you when I said I would.”
“Oh, did a snake take his phone too?”
JJ snickers. “No, he dropped his phone in the lake.”
“Y’all sure are some clumsy people out there. Who on God’s green Earth would hold you responsible for some kids?”
“You got jokes, huh? Look, I have to give this person back their phone but I wanted to let you know I didn’t forget about calling you. I’ll have some downtime this weekend. Starting Friday night, I plan to go to the library cabin to get a head start on college essays. Maybe we can chat while I’m there?”
I do want to chat, but I agreed to go on a date with Benjamin. Should I cancel my plans? No. Mama used to say don’t cancel all your plans for a man.
“Um, actually, I’m going out Friday night. How about Saturday?”
It takes a second for JJ to respond. “Oh, uh, yeah sure. Saturday’s cool too. Where are you going Friday? I mean, you don’t have to tell me. Just...thought I’d ask.”
I don’t mind that he’s asking. But for some reason, telling JJ that I’m going out with Benjamin makes me feel like I’m cheating on him. This is silly, we’re not in a relationship.“Um...out...with my co-worker.”
“The one who had the listening party?”
“Yeah.”
It sounds like JJ takes a breath but I’m not too sure. “Oh. Cool. Are you two going skating again? Not that it’s any of my business. You don’t have to tell me. I was just asking. You can do whatever you want. It’s your decision. Not that you need me to tell you that.”
His babbling is adorable and it’s making me blush. “JJ,” I say to stop him from going on. “Saturday night I get off at 9. How about you meet me online around 9:30?”
I can almost hear him smiling. “It’s a date,” he says.