“What about?”
“I can practically smell the smoke from the gears turning in your head. You are completely distracted. Sometimes you look giddy and other times like you want to throw yourself into oncoming traffic or burst out crying. I’d say you’ve fallen in love, but I think there’s more going on than that.”
My mouth had apparently dropped open, so I closed it.
“Come on. It’s not hard. Unburden yourself to Auntie Faith.”
I laughed in spite of myself and thought about everything that was on my mind. “Honestly, there’s too much. I’d bore you to tears.”
“Give me the Cliff notes then.”
I took a deep breath. “Okay, then. So today is my birthday—”
“Happy birthday!”
“Thanks. So my dad was supposed to be here for it. For my birthday. That was the vague plan, anyway. Except instead he’s missing, perhaps dead.”
Faith gasped, a hand coming to her mouth.
But I went on. “In the meantime, I’ve been making out with Joey Butler, who’s already made it very clear that he does not want a girlfriend. I say I’m fine with that. But he keeps kissing me, and his kisses are just so, so good. God, they’re so good. I like him so much. And finally, my mom is having an affair with a married man. A man who just happens to be her boss. Just when she finally has something stable for us, she goes and does this. And to make matters worse, it’s the heart doctor who is looking after Nana Butler, who’s just been told she needs heart surgery. And—”
“There’s more?”
“And Joey’s working for him too. My mom got him the job. And everything is about to blow up in my face.”
I got done and let out a long breath of relief. “Wow, it really does help to share.” Then I burst into tears.
Faith said nothing. She got up and walked to the store room. She returned with a box of tissues, a bottle of white wine, and two plastic cups and plonked them down on the counter. She poured two generous servings. Then grabbed one of the over priced candles she sold to tourists and lit it with a long match. “I’d stick you in a hot bubble bath right now, if we had one. But this will have to do. Here.” She handed me one of the cups, a tissue, and set the candle down on the one-of-a-kind coffee table made from an old barn door.
“Thank you,” I said gratefully and took a sip of wine. My crying jag was thankfully brief. I blew my nose.
“So let’s break this down,” she started, and we proceeded to get a handle on my problems one by one. The ones I could control and the ones I couldn’t.
“So you need to call the law office. You’re putting it off. I understand why but just call and leave a message with your number. At least then you’ll know you’ve done something there.”
I nodded.
“Next, what your mother does is, unfortunately, out of your control. I know it’s hard. But you talk about it like you feel responsible and you’re not. I understand your fear that she’ll get fired. But you’ve lived with less household income before, you can both do it again. And you will always have a job here.”
“Thank you.” I sniffed.
“Now.” She refilled my wine and leveled me with a look. “This thing with Joey Butler has disaster written all over it.”
IT REALLY WAS a disaster. This thing with Joey. But I was helpless to stop it. After leaving Faith and cycling home, I dumped my stuff in my room, noting my mom was out again, and headed for Woody’s. I hadn’t even had a chance to tell Mom about the letter yet.
As I walked around the corner, a long table filled with people suddenly erupted into the birthday song. I jumped in surprise, then saw Keri Ann amongst them and all my friends. And Joey of course. Joey, who winked. I bugged my eyes at Keri Ann. “Surprise,” she mouthed and grinned. I was filled with warmth over the thoughtfulness of my friends. They had no idea I’d had plans to be at this very place tonight, but with my father. Then I noticed Woody and Dirty Harry, who was actually off his barstool, standing on his two bandy legs off to the side. They were singing their hearts out too. I teared up. Damn, I was emotional today.
“Thank you,” I managed as everyone finished. The whole restaurant had joined in and whistled cheers when it was over. I went over and hugged Harry and Woody.
“You have a package,” said Woody. “I’ll bring it over in a bit, okay? And dinner’s on me. Happy birthday.”
I gave him another hug, too choked up to say much. Joining my friends, I sat on a chair pulled out for me between Keri Ann and Joey, who’s hot hand immediately landed on my thigh under the table. I was starving, having only had time for quick snacks all day. So I ordered a burger with fries and proceeded to devour the whole thing and all the fries before getting started on Joey’s plate.
He watched me, amused.
“What?” I asked. “Used to dating girls that pick at their food?” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wanted to bite my tongue clean off.