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“Ada… Please. Come home.” He stepped closer. “Let me make it up to you and show you how sorry I am.”
Wrapping my arms around myself, I shook my head. “I’m not sure I can.”
“I’ll wait. I’m not going anywhere, Ada. I gave up too easily when I kicked you out and I’m not making that mistake again.”
“You can’t just live in my aunt’s yard, Joe!”
“Yes, I can.” He met my gaze when I looked up at him and the smile he gave me wasn’t one I’d seen on his face before. It was gentle and soft but there was a firmness to it. “I made a deal with Maxine. I gave her a donut and now we can use the bathroom. I’ll live in her yard until you believe me and come home with us. I’ll bring the kids here for their vacation if it takes long enough.”
“Joe!”
He held his hands out in front of his chest. “Come home, Ada.”
“No.”
His head hung low. “Okay. I’ll be outside if you change your mind.”
I watched him go and took a step in his direction. My body wanted to go to him. I just couldn’t chance being thrown out like the trash again. My heart couldn’t handle it and I didn’t know if I could trust Joe’s big proclamation.
“You idiot.” Aunt Maxine slapped the back of my thigh, the sore one, and growled at me. “That boy is pouring his heart out for you. He loves you and you’re being stubborn.”
“He didn’t say he loves me.”
“Read between the lines.” She threw her hands up. “I need some fresh air. You’re stressing me out.”
I watched her leave and sank onto the couch, just to have to immediately stand back up because of the pain. I’d never seen Aunt Maxine so exasperated. Usually, she was the one doing the exasperating. I didn’t like it.
Not for the first time I thought about Jules and felt a different sense of loss. It would’ve been nice to have a friend to confide in. I wondered how she was doing and where she was. I wondered about the kids. I chewed my cuticles wondering about Jud and if he hated me.
I’d hurt him so deeply. How could I think about trying again with Collin and Joe when I’d left Jud like I had? It wasn’t right.
Still, I reached into my pocket and clutched the sea glass Collin had brought to me. I yearned for Joe to come back in and fight with me. As much as I wanted them to leave, I wanted them to stay.
I watched the guys through the window throughout the day. They took turns sitting in the one chair they had that wasn’t broken and going to the store to get water and snacks. I had to fight the urge to go out and take care of them. I had to remind myself that they’d kicked me out when I was so sick I couldn’t function on my own.
As the sun set again I ground my teeth and balled my hands into fists. I wasn’t going to feel bad for them. Even when Aunt Maxine did and took them cold drinks and better chairs.
I was still struggling with myself the next morning when Joe knocked on the door. I opened it and winced at the state he was in.
“If you won’t come back for us, come back for Jud. He’s back in that dark space you pulled him out of, Ada. He needs you.”
I chewed my bottom lip and pulled the door open farther. “Is he okay?”
Joe looked away. “I don’t know. It doesn’t feel like it.”
I looked back at where Aunt Maxine was sitting with her arms crossed over her chest, glaring at me like I was a monster. Swallowing, I met Joe’s gaze and nodded. “Okay. I’ll go. Just to make sure he’s okay.”
“Sure. Are you ready now? I’ll get a car to take us to the airport.”
I looked him over and winced. “I’m not sure they’re going to let you on the plane like that.”
“Fine. We’ll go get cleaned up and be back here in half an hour. Is that enough time?” He looked behind me at Aunt Maxine. “Want to come?”
She laughed. “Hell no. I’m finally getting my house back. I have trouble to get into.”
“Thirty minutes is fine.” I pushed my hair behind my ears and looked up at Joe. “I’m just going to help Jud. Nothing else.”
He nodded. “Okay, Ada.”
