Jules
One week later…
“I forgot to ask, how was the date?” Luna took a forkful of apple crisp and moaned.
“Date? What date?” I had not gone out with anyone in ages. “Wait, are you talking about when I made tortillas with Olly and his mom?”
“Um, duh.” She rolled her eyes and let her head fall back.
“That wasn’t a date.” I stuck my fork through a slice of apple.
“So you say.” She laughed.
It had been a week since I visited Olly’s mom’s house. I made the leftover tortillas and Birria last for three days. I may have shed a little tear when I ate the last bite.
“Luna.” I sounded exasperated, but I didn’t care. Stacy and I had the same conversation, and then John, head of produce, continued being annoying. “Why can’t two people just hang out? Why does everyone immediately assume the people are dating?”
“Okay, okay, fine.” She put her hands up in the air. “I’ll stop bothering you, but it’s not my fault.”
“Fault. What the hell are you talking about?”
“You have this look every time you say the guy’s name.”
“A look. What does that mean? And I haven’t said his name once tonight.”
She held her index finger up, indicating I needed to wait, and took another forkful of apple crisp. “Okay, I know what I’m about to say is off-topic, but I’m still going to say it.”
I knew the conversation was shifting to my late boyfriend, Eric.
“What?” I sighed and prepared myself. Talking about him brought back so many memories. I loved that man so much. When he died, my heart was broken into a million pieces.
“When you and Eric first met, you had this look in your eyes, a tone in your voice. It’s happening again.” She sat back and placed her hands over her stomach. “And make me stop eating that amazing recipe, please.”
I grabbed the pan and carried it into the kitchen.
Two years ago, my life changed. I knew I was young but couldn’t see myself with anyone else. The thought of loving someone made me feel guilty.
Then, my mind turned to Olly.
Talking to him was so easy.
I loved how Eric made me laugh. I rested my hands on the counter. That feeling happened a week ago. I loved how Olly made me laugh when making tortillas.
“Hey, Sis.” Luna wrapped her arm around me and rested her head on my shoulder. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I know.” I rested my head on hers. “It’s just weird. Eric was my world.”
She squeezed her arm around me and stepped back. “Do you think he would want you to be alone? I mean, you’re only 30. What are you planning to do? Get a lot of cats and take up a few crafts?”
“Maybe.” I covered the apple crisp and put it in the refrigerator. “Is that so bad?”
“It’s lonely.” She placed the dirty plates in the sink. “That’s not fair to you, and that’s not fair to your future person.”
“Who said I had a person?”
“We all have someone.” She held two fingers up. “And yes, you can have two.”
“I don’t know.” I leaned against the counter and crossed my arms over my chest. “After all this time, I’ve convinced myself I’ll be alone until I die.”
She sighed and grabbed her purse. “Well, that’s silly.” She kissed my cheek. “I love you, but you’re being ridiculous.” She opened the door to leave– “Here’s my last thought before I leave. Ask yourself, and I mean truly ask yourself, what would make you happy?” She stepped outside but leaned her head back through the doorway, “And you can’t answer; have Eric back. That’s a given. You need to dig deep into this question.” She blew me a kiss and closed the door.
What if I was happy right now?
I had a good job. I loved my small town. My friends and family made me happy.
Then, a vision of standing next to Olly in his mom’s kitchen popped into my mind. I had so much fun that night. His mom was a hoot, and she made the best tortillas.
“Shit, shit, shit.” I opened the refrigerator and grabbed the pan of apple crisp. If it was going to be a long night of thinking, I needed more sweets.
AUTHOR NOTE:
I can only imagine that what she’s experiencing is incredibly hard. I love the question her sister asked. It was a powerful and important one. Okay, tell me, should I have Olly call and ask her out, or should Jules show up at the produce stand unannounced?