Chapter 15
Raquel
This entire ordeal with Don is heart-breaking, and I checked on him to see if he came out of his episode, but he hadn’t. When I left for the day, he was still very confused. If this episode continues, we will have to explain to him what’s going on, but that means he could become violent again. It’s hard when you don’t know what’s reality is anymore.
Lily is with her dad for the weekend, and Tessa is meeting me at the diner for dinner. We have become close since my moving here, and Brittaney is in her own little world with the wedding plans. She doesn’t even know about Jeremy, and that she never once asked how I was doing, or what was going on in my life when we had dinner, just shows that she’s too self-involved right now. Better to leave her to it.
The interstate has cars whipping in and out of lanes, trying their damndest to get to their destination faster, no matter if it’s dangerous to others. That’s just Dallas for ya. Jeremy hasn’t answered my texts, and I’m getting worried. He’s going through a lot right now, but he needs to be talking to someone. Bottling all of this up inside is only going to make matters worse.
As I get off the exit to Grapevine, my phone rings and it’s Jeremy.
“Hello?”
When his voice comes over my speakers, my heart drops. “I saw your messages. Not been in the mood to talk to anyone.”
I just want to pull him close and hug him. “I understand. When you are ready to talk, I’m here.”
The line goes silent for about twenty seconds. “Can you come over?”
I stare at the screen on my dash, and wonder if I just imagined that. “What?”
“Or, do you already have plans? That’s fine.”
“No, no. I mean, I have dinner plans with Tessa, but I can swing by after.”
The car comes to a stop in front of the diner, and I turn it off waiting for his answer.
“Just text me before you leave and I’ll give you the address,” he says, before he hangs up.
He doesn’t need to push me away. After all, I work with those that have this disease every day, and I might help him cope with things that are going on. No one ever thinks this is going to happen to someone in their family, but sometimes it does.
My shoes hit the pavement as I close the car door and venture inside the diner where the bell rings above my head, alerting them to my arrival. Tessa is already sitting in our usual booth, and has a smile on her face.
“Hey, girl. I ordered your usual.”
Grapevine is a place where people can remember my order, whereas in Dallas, that never happens. They see too many people every day, and it’s not as cozy in this place.
“Today has been a fucking nightmare.”
She takes a sip of her coffee. “Tell me all about it.”
I’m not sure if she’s ready for me to unload on her quite like this, but not going to turn down the opportunity to get everything out. So, I start with the Jeremy's situation, and the fact he got into a fight with my brother. She didn’t seem to know about that, which is surprising. The only part I don’t discuss is the events with his father because it’s not mine to tell.
Tessa must have something to tell me, but she has been tapping her fingers on the table the whole time I’ve been going on about Jeremy and my life. I’m not one of those friends who only thinks about herself.
“So, what news do you have?”
Her excitement takes over, and she digs into her purse. “This happened today.”
She hands me something and I open it. “No fucking way. Are you serious?”
“We have been trying, and Damon has always wanted to be a father. You are the first person I’ve told. I’m telling him when I get home.”
My ass slides out of the booth and gives her a huge hug! “This is amazing. Congratulations!”
Tessa raised Emily by herself for many years, and then Damon stepped up. And there’s no doubt in my mind that they are wonderful parents.
Our food has arrived, and I don’t waste any time digging in. I never ate lunch today, so my stomach has been growling for over two hours. I don’t eat at the diner this often, but it’s the most chill place in town with good food.