Page 89 of Chubs

It’s been several days since my meeting with Aria and Giana, and I know the men have returned, along with Chubs. I haven’t gone back to the clubhouse, and I’m not sure if I ever can. Instead, I focus on buying the house I plan on making my home.

One of the hardest things I did was to call Pippa and let her know I’d no longer be working at New Horizons. I offered my help with grants and other paperwork, but I will not be doing it from there. She’ll need to email me whatever she needs done, and I’ll work from home. Pippa was grateful for the offer to help but sad that we will no longer be working together. The decision was painful.

I’ve stayed in contact with Bailey, of course, but I no longer go to the gym to work out or hang with her. We’ll meet for lunches and shopping regularly, I’m sure, but I’m worried it won’t be the same. I don’t think anything in my life will ever be the same again.

I haven’t asked about Chubs, and no one has mentioned him. Every single day, I feel the void he’s left in my life, but every single day, I get up and push forward. I’ve applied for a few jobs to help fill my time, but my dad is trying to recruit me to work at his office. Thanks to New Horizons, I’ve become very adept at dealing with government agencies, and that’s a skill he’d like to put to use. I’m not sure it’s a good fit for me, so I haven’t given him an answer yet.

Pippa: Craig here. Are you ever going to come see me again?

Me: Of course I will. Maybe we can have lunch together soon.

Pippa: How about tomorrow?

Me: You have school tomorrow, don’t you?

Pippa: I’m pretty sure I’ll be free by noon. Don’t ask how I know that.

Me: Craig! What are you up to?

Pippa: School is crushing my soul. Chubs isn’t doing our learning things anymore and I’ve got to find a way to change that.

Me: By getting expelled again?

Pippa: Desperate times and all that stuff.

Me: Do I want to know what your plan is?

Pippa: No. You can claim plausible deniability if I don’t tell you.

Me: How do you even know that phrase, the meaning of it and how to spell it?????

Pippa: Disappointed in you, Lucy. You never used to underestimate me. I learn things fast. I’m smart. Genius level according to my teacher. Tomorrow noon? You can just pick me up from the school and save mom a trip. Okay?

Me: This isn’t the way to do things, Craig. Talk with your mom and dad. I’m sure you three can come up with a good solution.

Pippa: You could be my teacher instead.

Me: I’m not a teacher, Craig. Helping you with projects is one thing but I can’t teach you all the things you need to learn. School can.

Pippa: I like my teacher. Don’t like Principal Jones. I heard him making fun of Luke and the sounds he makes when he tries to talk. Not cool. I should let Trigger know. He’d mop the floor with Jones.

Me: That’s something you need to tell Pippa and Ava. Does Luke know about it?

Pippa: No and he never will. He loves it here and everyone else treats him great. BTW, Bella’s going to talk to the club about joining when she’s 18. She wanted you to be there for her when she does but you’ve abandoned us. Sunday, before Church, she’s talking to them.

Me: I didn’t do that and you know it.

Pippa: I know but you’re letting Chubs keep you away. Church this week is going to be about his punishment. I hope they don’t kill him.

Me: They won’t do that, Craig. He will get punished though. And I’m sorry, you’re right and I’ve let him keep me away and that’s not fair to you or Bella. I’ll be at the clubhouse for Sunday brunch, before their meeting. Please let Bella know.

Pippa: Ok, cool.

Me: I’ll pick you up at school tomorrow at noon. Please rethink whatever it is you’re going to do.

Pippa: KK bye

I set my phone down and groan in frustration. Do I let Pippa know that Craig’s planning something or not? Can I see Chubs at the clubhouse and not lose my shit?

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