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The next morning, she was drinking her coffee, attempting to stay awake when she saw newly updated photos on Instagram. They were of Maverick and Jo, and she almost looked happy, maybe even a bit relieved. Was she overjoyed that she didn’t have the burden or fear that their relationship would be discovered? Ali winced. That couldn’t be it. What they had together was special. She was certain that she didn’t misread that. She put her phone away, hoping that she could somehow get through work and eventually move on from Jo.
It proved not that easy, though, as the week went on and Jo appeared every time, she turned the corner. If she wanted to avoid her, it was going to take some master maneuvering. As the week ended, she was able to succeed, even if it was out of her own skill. She got on the elevator on Friday and as the doors closed, she heard shuffling of her feet and some mumbling. She put out her hand to stop the door for closing and saw Jo.
“I can wait,” Jo mumbled, stepping back to allow Ali to close the door.
Ali shook her head. “We work on the same floor. You might as well just get on.” It was truly inevitable that they wouldn’t be able to avoid each other forever. Jo stepped on the elevator, but her face was a mixed bag of emotions. Ali couldn’t tell if she was ready to throw up, but it looked promising. Ali pressed the button for the main floor and leaned back against the wall. She withdrew her phone and pulled up Nolan’s name.
Ali:
It’s been a looonnnngggg week. Up for drinks?
Nolan only knew that Jo broke up with her. She didn’t go into all the gruesome details, as she blocked them out of her mind. Or tried to. But she was devastated at losing Jo. Now that she was only a couple of feet away from her, it was hard to see how their relationship had come to this. The doors opened and Jo barely acknowledged her as she stepped off and hurried towards the door.
Ali sighed and walked at a more leisurely pace. She hesitated, still seeing Jo march to the front door, then turned to head to the opposite entrance, when she bumped into Julia. Her face flushed and she gave a weak smile.
“Hey, Julia.” Julia wanted to avoid for a whole other reason. She was annoyed with how Julia wanted to make this about what was politically correct in the hospital employee handbook. So, what if she wanted to date Jo? She didn’t feel that should be anyone’s concern. It was true things didn’t go over well with Maxine, but sometimes these things happened. Things with Jo would have a completely different outcome.
“Oh hey, Ali.” Julia conveniently looked behind her, perhaps also watching as Jo hurriedly escaped the hospital. “Glad I just happened to bump into you. Wanted to let you know that I put in a recommendation for you with the hospital board. You deserve this promotion and after realizing what a fool I was to think that anything was going on, I thought I should put in that good word for you.”
Ali opened her mouth. “Well, thank you, Julia. But I’m a bit confused. So, what made you realize this?”
“Well, the truth is, after we talked, I was still quite the skeptic. Hospital staff talks and to me it just seemed like Johanna, and you had something else going on. I know, I saw the error of my ways, but you have to understand where I was coming from. And then when I spoke to Johanna the other day, it hit me. I mean, you didn’t even tell her that you were up for this promotion, so clearly, I was wrong. I really do think I owe you an apology.”
So, you spoke with Johanna?” Ali inquired.
“Just in passing, but I mentioned the promotion, and she didn’t even bat an eye. So, it’s clear that there isn’t anything going on. So, good job, Ali. Good things are headed your way.”
Julia brushed past her, and Ali shook her head. She hadn’t heard about the encounter between her and Jo. Was Jo just trying to protect her? Ali didn’t even know what to think anymore. She felt her phone vibrating, grabbed it, and saw Nolan’s message.
Nolan:
When and where and I’ll be there.
At least she could still count on him. She texted him back and then headed for the front door. She just wanted to have a drink and not think about anything else but what was in her hand.
Ali sipped on another beer. She had thought that the drinks would help keep her mind at bay, but she could only bring her thoughts to Jo. She flipped to another picture and held it up to Nolan. “Does this look like a woman who’s depressed? Just look at this picture. Here I am wallowing in my self-pity and she’s off flaunting herself on Insta. Maybe I never mattered to her at all,” Ali huffed, tossing her phone to the side.
Nolan groaned and leaned forward. “Darling, you haven’t stopped talking about her. Did you try talking to her? Maybe she’s hurting just as much as you are, but some people just show pain differently. I highly doubt she’s not thinking about you. You two were on fire together.”
Ali rolled her eyes. Well, perhaps we were, at one point, but clearly if you’re not in front of Jo, then she forgets about you.” Ali took another drink. She didn’t even know if she believed those words, but it was hard to think that this was someone that cared about you, when she was off blazing through social media as if none of it ever happened.”
“Again, I ask the question, have you tried talking to her?”
Ali shook her head. “What will that do to help? She didn’t want to listen to me as she was telling me how it was over. I tried telling her that if it came to losing her, I would give up the promotion. Hell, I would give up my job.”
“Now, that is love,” Nolan remarked.
“Yeah, well, like it matters much now. Jo was gone before I could get any of that out. We had an awkward encounter on an elevator today as we were leaving the hospital, but there isn’t any way she would want to hear what I have said. It’s been a week and she’s moved on.”
“Or so it looks like it,” Nolan muttered.
“Right.” Ali took another sip of her beer. “I would rather just trust that she’s happy and that there’s nothing I could do to change the breakup. If I believe that, eventually I’ll get over it.”
Nolan scrunched up his face. Ali wasn’t convinced herself. She finished off her second beer and then stood up, tossing down some money. “You’re leaving?” he asked, arching an eyebrow. “It’s still so early.”
“Well, I could stay all night, continue to drink, not get a buzz, then get in my car and drive. That wouldn’t be too smart. I’m going to go pay for a water and get out of here. As mentioned, it’s been a long week.” She leaned in and kissed the top of his forehead. “I did need to go out tonight, but I guess I was going to have some other effect.” She shrugged. “Guess it is what it is. I’ll catch you later at work.” She tossed a wave in his direction and then went up to the bar to get her water. “I’ll take a bottled water to go, please.” She reached in her pocket for some money.
“On me.” She turned and saw Maxine standing inches from her. “Hey, Ali.”
