* * *
Touched, I reply, assuring her that I’m fine and can make my way back home on my own after my two-night—now solo—trip is over.
But she’s having none of it.
* * *
Gigi: Of course you can. But why should you when you have a perfectly amazing cousin and friend who wants to be there for you? And with you. I will fetch you piña coladas by the pool, and we don’t have to talk about anything if you don’t want to. Or we can talk about my crappy love life to distract you.
I saw Theodore last night at the block party. He walked right by me like I was invisible. Even though I was glaring daggers into his goatee and wearing a bright yellow dress with insane amounts of cleavage out on display. Am I invisible, Ruby? Are you my imaginary friend? Am I hallucinating my own existence?
* * *
Ruby: No, you are not! You are a shining fucking glitter moonbeam goddess! And Theodore’s a dingbat. Come up. I’ll fetch YOU piña coladas by the pool.
* * *
Gigi: No way. I was just kidding. I wasn’t trying to make this about me. Seriously.
* * *
About her . . .
When was the last time it was about her?
Probably before the accident. Gigi has been there for me hardcore during the past two years. It’s high time I returned the favor.
* * *
Ruby: Why shouldn’t it be ABOUT YOU? It’s been about me for long enough, babe. And I don’t need a shoulder to lean on. Truly. I just need to think some things through. And to be honest with myself.
* * *
Gigi: I could stand to do some of that too.
* * *
Ruby: Brilliant. Text me when you reach the lobby, and I’ll come down and show you up to the room.
* * *
Gigi: You don’t think Jesse will mind? What if he comes back?
* * *
Ruby: He’s not coming back. He’s gone.
* * *
And it’s true . . . he is. And I’m so very sad about that.
But this was the right thing to do. The work I have to do now isn’t something Jesse, or any man, can help me with.
The list forced me back into the driver’s seat in my own life.
Now it’s time to steer.
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