Page 71 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

“And do what I’d do to Garrett if I was close by?” Jordan asked, laughing. “Make sure you don’t mess him up just like I wouldn’t want him to mess you up?”

She sighed. “Yes.”

“Does that bother you?”

“No,” she said. “Because I knew that you’d do the same thing. But in the past, it would have bothered me. Why doesn’t it now?”

“Because you’re not the same person you were before,” Jordan said. “Neither am I. We can’t and won’t be that person anymore with Dad gone.”

She started to sniffle and didn’t want to cry but knew talking to her sister it would happen.

“I know. I miss him so much. It has me rethinking my life.”

“Like what?” Jordan asked.

“Why I never gave men a chance before, for one,” she said.

“Because Dad always had some negative comment and you listened and then ended things. I know that. I thought it was stupid. Dad was saying things based on what you were relaying to him. He’d pick up on the negatives you said and he’d ask questions. You always took them further than they needed to go.”

“Really?” she asked. “I didn’t know I did that.”

“You did,” Jordan said. “All the time. Now with Dad not around, I’m the only one you can say those negative things to and you haven’t said anything once. How come?”

“I don’t know,” she said.

“Do you have anything to say negative about him?” Jordan asked. “I mean no one is perfect, but in a few months you might find something wrong.”

“I don’t think so,” she said. “But nothing that is standing out either. We haven’t had any fights or disagreements. Nothing more than I told him I don’t need him paying for everything. He listened and I’ve paid for a few things now.”

“Good,” Jordan said. “I’m glad you’re speaking up.”

“I did with Gabriela too. It feels like it’s not me to do that.”

“It’s all a good thing,” Jordan said. “I’m telling you right now. You needed to stand up for yourself more in life and if Garrett is helping with that, it’s great.”

“It’s not him,” she interrupted. “He only knows what I’ve been like for two months.”

“Then maybe it’s just a change you needed rather than one you forced on yourself by moving. Only you know that answer, Justine. But I’m telling you now—it’s not a bad thing. Don’t look for that. Go with the flow and see where it takes you.”

“That’s what I’m doing,” she said.

“And don’t worry what people might say about you dating him either,” Jordan said. “It’s hard to turn your back on gossip or being talked about, but I don’t want you to run or leave or whatever terms you want to put on it if you’re feeling uncomfortable. Do you hear me?”

“Loud and clear,” she said, smiling. “Thanks for the pep talk. I needed it.”

“Any time,” Jordan said, yawning. “I’m going to try to study for another hour and then get to sleep.”

There was no reason to lecture her sister. She did her own thing all the time anyway.

“Take care of yourself, Jordan. I don’t want to worry about you.”

“Don’t worry. I’m good,” Jordan said. “And it sounds like you are too.”

21

MAKING SOME DAMN PROGRESS

“What are you doing texting me at five in the morning?” Garrett asked the next morning when he saw the text from his sister. He’d just gotten out of the shower and rushed to get his phone thinking it was a patient emergency.

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