Page 94 of I Hope This Finds You Well

She nods, and we let them pass. We wait a full five minutes before she finally tugs on my sleeve and says, “Come on, let’s go! I have to pee!”

I’m waiting outside the bathroom door for her when the men’s room door opens and, for fuck’s sake, it’s Cliff who comes out. He glances up and physically stops in his tracks, his jaw dropping. He looks as horrified to see me here as I am to see him.

“Jolene!” There’s a hesitation to the way he says my name, like he can’t quite believe this is happening.

I take a step backward without meaning to.

Then that brunette appears and sidles next to him, all cozy, and smiles at me.

Cliff’s whole demeanor remains tense. He won’t look at me directly.

“This is Silvia,” Cliff says, gesturing at her awkwardly. “We play Warhammer together. Silvia, this is my colleague Jolene.”

Silvia’s kind smile makes me want to crush into myself. She’s pretty, really pretty, with the kind of gentle curls that look effortless but probably took her three hours to perfect.Andshe likes Warhammer.

Miley pops out of the bathroom, and her eyes instantly go wide as she takes in the drama. She runs up to me and grabs my arm.

“This is Miley,” I say, looking anywhere but Cliff.

Silvia’s grin turns even warmer. “We were just about to get some food. Would you and your young friend like to grab a ton of tacos from next door with us?”

Cliff’s head starts to shake, but it’s Miley who pipes in. “You meanme and Jolene? We’re not really friends. She just snuck me into an R-rated movie. I’m only twelve.”

“Oh?” Silvia’s smile falters.

My insides turn to stone, yet Miley doesn’t stop. “But we can’t go for food with you. My mom doesn’t even know I’m out, so I should get home.”

“Miley,” I whisper, “could you kindly shut up?”

I smile through my teeth. And why doesn’t this theater have any fainting chairs? My eyes dart to the exit as I back away, legs as heavy as bags of sand. “I’m sorry, but Miley’s right. We’ve got to head back.”

Cliff doesn’t say anything, just looks at the carpet. I wave and pull Miley along.

I’m walking really fast, and her breath hitches as she keeps pace. Once we’re clear of the theater, Miley finally yells, “Jolene, what the hell?”

“I never should have brought you here. Why did you say that?” I spit my words out. “I’m so embarrassed. Look at me, just hanging out with you while he’s on a date.”

Her face crumbles. Shit.

“No, Miley. What I mean is—”

Miley takes a step backward. “No, it’s okay. I’m sorry I said we weren’t friends. I just figured that’s what you’d want.”

The look in her eyes, the slouch in her shoulders. I recognize this girl.

“It’s just... Miley, we shouldn’t hang out like that anymore. One day you’ll understand.”

She shakes her head, the crush in her gaze still there.

The world seems so simple for some people.

We walk the rest of the way back in silence. I leave the building door propped open but don’t wait for her as I walk in.

Please Excuse My Wine

The next week comes and goes, and nothing much happens. I continue replacing my commute with Cliff with shaky bus rides. My evenings are no longer interrupted by bowling, Miley, or anything else. I even stop checking Cliff’s icon to see if he’s online. Or I at least do it a lot less. I submitted some course material to him yesterday, and it was all so formal, with phrases like: “I hope this finds you well”and“Best regards.”

After a few sleeps I like to think I’ve come around to our new dynamic. It’s for the best that he moves on from this place. From me.