Page 80 of The Bad Boyfriend Curse
When I show the post to Mom and Nani after publishing it, they ask me about Noah and how serious we were. I end up telling them everything about our short relationship. I tell them about all the things we talked about, about how talented he is, and about how hard things are for him because of the pressure he feels in his family. I tell them about his dreams and how much I wanted to see him accomplish them.
I tell them that I fell in love with him. And I tell them the truth, that I don’t think I’ll ever meet someone else as amazing as Noah Jacobs. Mom asks if I have apologized.
“I can’t. He doesn’t want to talk to me.”
Mom shakes her head. “Meera, what have we been talking about all week—taking responsibility! If you’re actually sorry about it, then tell him. It’s his decision if he wants to respond or not, but you should be honest with him and own up to your actions.”
She’s right. If this week with Mom and Nani has taught me anything, it’s that you have to communicate to let people know how you feel. I take out my phone before I lose my nerve, and open a text to him.
Meera: noah i wanted to let you know that i’m leaving cherrybridge soon. and i didn’t want to go without telling you i’m sorry. i shouldn’t have sent that song to keeley without asking you. i shouldn’t have convinced you to sneak into jason’s parents’ house. i shouldn’t have asked you to pretend to date me in the first place. mom says i had a case of main character syndrome all summer and i think she’s right. but it wasn’t because i wanted to be your savior… i just wanted to help you. i wanted you to be the best you could be and i loved getting the chance to be in your life thissummer. i really loved the performance you posted on instagram. i’m a better person after knowing you and i wish things could be different but i understand why they can’t. i hope all of your dreams come true
He doesn’t write back, but this feels like the real closure I needed. That doesn’t mean I’m not still heartbroken, though. Heart-destroyed. Heart-mutilated.
When we finally get back to Cherrybridge on Saturday afternoon, we’re all in better spirits. I—all three of us—needed that. Nani and I were always close, but I know her now in a way I didn’t before. And I’m now closer to my mother than I’ve ever been.
I half expect that Nani and I will head back to Toronto as soon as we get to Cherrybridge, but tomorrow is Jason’s rally at Gordon Park, and Mom asks us to stay for it, saying it would mean a lot to Jason. I thought it would be hard for me to see the park again, but after writing that blog post, I really want to see the finished bandstand. See if the plantings we put in near the sign are doing well. See if the grass is still weed-free. One more time before leaving Cherrybridge, I want to see the place where I fell in love. So I agree.
CHAPTER THIRTYRallying Together at a Rally
The weather is of course perfect on Sunday. I would expect nothing less from the Cherrybridge skies than to be bright and sunny for the LeClairs. Mom, Nani, and I ride together a few hours after Jason goes to set things up, and when we get to Gordon Park, I’m surprised at how many people are here. I figured it would be similar to that first party at the country club, but this is about twice as many people.
“Did you know this would be so big?” I ask Mom.
She shrugs.
After that awful op-ed, I figured Jason didn’t have a lot of supporters left, that people south of the river would think he’s too out of touch with their needs, and people north of the river would think he’s too “fake” or liberal to lead the city.
The park looks… amazing. I can’t believe this is the same weedy, dilapidated place I first saw last month. The grass is green and lush. The grass seeds Jeff planted took root quickly. I can’t see the bandstand in detail from so far away, but I can see the cream with green accents almost glowing in the bright sun.
As we’re walking toward the bandstand, an older man wearing a tweed jacket stops Mom. He’s got round glasses anda white beard. He looks a bit like a university professor. Or a mall Santa in the offseason.
“Neelam, you look lovely as usual.” He kisses Mom on both cheeks.
“Oh! I didn’t expect to see you here!” Mom says, smiling. It’s clear she actually likes this man and isn’t putting on her fake, politician’s wife smile. After they chat about how beautiful the day is, Mom introduces Nani and me.
“This is my family. My mother, and my daughter, Meera. Mom and Meera, this is Peter McCrae, the mayor of Cherrybridge.”
My eyes widen. This… this is thecurrent mayor? What the heck is he doing here, at a rally for his competitor’s campaign?
“Ah, Meera!” He extends his hand for a shake, smiling warmly at me as I return the greeting. “I’ve heard so much about you. Lainey Park and Jeff Wiesner have been singing your praises all summer, along with the rest of the kids who cleaned up this park. You’ve done a phenomenal job. You made such an impact on this town in the short time you were here. But your mother has impressed me every time I’ve talked to her. I can’t say I’m surprised that her daughter is just as impressive.”
He asks me some questions about how I enjoyed working in the park and about my plans for next year and beyond. I really like this man. Yeah, I kind of get why people in this town would want someone new, but he has a very genuine way of talking.
When we finally say goodbye and start walking again, I ask Mom why Peter McCrae is even here.
Mom shrugs. “I don’t know, but Peter is a gentleman, through and through.”
When we get to the bandstand, Mom heads straight to the back of the stage to find Jason. I see Sadie and Liv, so Nani and I head to them.
“I want to hear all about your trip to the spa,” Sadie says after she says hello to my grandmother. “I’m so jealous. I’ve beenbeggingmy mom to go to that place for years. We should all go. A big LeClair ladies’ trip! Here, tell me more about these pictures you posted…” She pulls out her phone and opens her Instagram.
“Um, yeah, okay.” Does Sadie know that Mom’s not going to be a LeClair much longer? She seems a littletooenthusiastic. And why does she want to look at my Instagram account now?
As Sadie is tapping on her phone, I glance at the stage. There’s a bunch of stuff on it covered with drop cloths. Weird. Why wouldn’t they clear the construction material and painting supplies before this event? But I guess it is only Sunday. CROP literally finished two days ago.
I’m about to ask what’s going on when someone in the crowd catches my eyes. Right there, near the front of the stage and looking so good that I could cry, is Noah Jacobs.
He looks amazing, because he has always looked amazing. He’s wearing his black jeans with a studded black belt, along with a black button-up shirt that has the first three buttons undone, and the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. I recognize the shirt. It’s the one he wore to the country club on our first date. Sort-of date. Our first fake date.
