Page 4 of Falling for my First Crush

I try not to take offense at this, reminding myself that we haven’t seen each other in years, and she was really still just a kid when I left. Even though I had every intention of staying in touch with the Moretti family, I didn’t do such a good job of that. I realize now that getting reacquainted will take some time. With that mindset, I sit down across from Jackie with a smile on my face.

“So how long have you worked here?” I ask, taking a sip of the scalding hot coffee that tastes like it was made yesterday.

“Since I graduated from college, so about seven years,” she says. Jackie still hasn’t touched the coffee, so I have to suspect that she knows better. Her hands are wrapped around the cup, as if it’s a security blanket. Her jaw is clenched… I still remember that was the tell-tale sign that she was uncomfortable, back when she was a kid. I wish I knew what I could do to put her at ease.

“What about you?” she asks.

“What about me?” I repeat.

“What are you doing these days? You mentioned the firehouse?” Jackie asks.

“Oh, you know,” I say with a slow, easy grin. “Just a little of this and that.”

She raises her eyebrows at me and gives me a frown. “Really, Joe? I haven’t seen you in over ten years, and that’s the best you’ve got for me?”

“Okay, fair enough,” I say, with a slight chuckle. “Short version is that I did my stint in the Air Force, fought wildfires in the West, and then came back here and got a job with the Cranberry Creek Fire Department.”

“Wow, that’s incredible,” Jackie says, wide-eyed. “And are you here today for the Wounded Vet program?”

“Oh, no, I’m actually volunteering to mentor other soldiers,” I say.

“Okay, now that’s even more incredible,” Jackie says. “You asked about Sabina earlier. Well, she’s actually in the program.”

‘Wait, did Sabina serve overseas?” I ask.

“Yeah, she did two tours of duty actually,” Jackie says. Her eyes flicker down to the table, and I can tell she’s trying to collect herself. “She was, um, injured in an explosion and detained as a POW for a time, before she was rescued and brought back home. She has a TBI, and some days are really hard for her. She’s struggling with depression and C-PTSD. I’m really hopeful that the program will help her. I honestly have no idea what all actually happened to her. She doesn’t open up with any of us… at least, she hasn’t yet.”

“I’m so sorry that she’s dealing with all that,” I say, letting out my breath. I didn’t realize I had been holding it while Jackie was filling me in about sweet Sabina. “I was extremely fortunate and blessed not to have any injuries, but I saw plenty. That’s why I want to volunteer with the program.”

“Well, I think that’s great,” Jackie says, and she reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. The touch is brief, but it hits me with a jolt. Jackie must feel the sensation, too, because she pulls her hand away quickly and looks down at her hand with a subtle look of surprise. But it’s gone as quickly as it came.

I clear my throat. “So, uh, how is Maia doing?”

“Unbelievable,” Jackie mutters. “I should have known we’d get there eventually.”

I feel the shift, but I’m not sure what causes it. All I did was ask about her sister, Maia. I just want to know how she’s doing. I’m about to ask for some sort of clarification for the whiplash that I just experienced, but the next thing I know, Jackie is standing up.

“Thanks for the coffee,” she says, her tone flat, but her eyes snapping with anger. “I’m sure I’ll see you around. Good luck with the program, Joe.”

And with that, she’s gone, leaving me to wonder what the heck just happened.

Three

JACKIE

Itry to cool down the whole way home. Of course he asked about Maia. He always had a huge crush on her, but never confessed his feelings, as far as I know, anyway. I’m not sure why his interest bothers me so much, but it does. As I drive home for our weekly dinner, I take big, deep breaths until my heart-rate settles down, and I am able to think clearly again.

Joe Lawrence was always around our family when I was growing up. All of us, from Gianna down to me, adored him. He was not quite a de facto brother, but he was close. When he left for the military, though, we lost touch with him. The disconnect happened so gradually, that I don’t think any of us noticed it at first; but over the years, we have definitely missed him. I have missed him. Seeing him today gave me such a surprise, but it also filled me with so much joy, that I could hardly breathe. But then he had to go and ask about Maia.

I pull up to my parents’ house and park. With another deep breath, I get out of the car. Stepping into my childhood home fills me with so many different emotions. I love the cozy, chaotic vibe, but I also get overwhelmed when everyone descends on me with questions about what I’ve been doing this week. They come home to visit and share family meals regularly, but I’m still living here.

Like clockwork, Gianna and Maia swoop into the entryway to get me and pull me along to the living room. Our dad is sitting in his recliner dozing, while the news plays on low from the TV. Sounds from the kitchen let me know that our mom is in there, working on the next meal. Sabina is nowhere to be found. Everything is exactly as usual. It’s like we’re stuck in some nineteen-seventies sitcom. Comforting and overwhelming at the same time.

Once Gianna and Maia have pulled me down on the couch, Maia says, “So, what’s new this week?”

“Meet anyone yet?” Gianna asks.

I ignore her question, knowing that I actually have something to tell them today. “Well, actually you’ll never guess who I ran into today at the hospital.”

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