Page 89 of Follow Your Bliss

I closed the fridge door and leaned my forehead against it.

What was so hard about me to love?

Aucoin Construction was my new favorite New Orleans business. Not only did they get the tree off the rectory, the men also stayed around to haul out the branches, debris, and molding mattresses from Rose’s bedroom and helped me nail plywood and a tarp on the busted-open roof.

Night had fully fallen by the time they left. After sweeping the last of the leaves from Rose’s bedroom and setting up dehumidifiers, I was starving and ready to take a shower and crash. But first I wanted Rose to go through her pile of stuff I set aside to see what she could salvage and what I had to trash, and I didn’t want to fix something to eat only for myself if she hadn’t eaten.

I washed my hands in the makeshift kitchen and grabbed a water bottle. I might never be able to drink enough to make up for what I sweat out today.

I checked my phone. It was nearly nine o’clock, and my stomach was about to eat its way out. As I approached the church, a trio of women’s laughter met my ears. I walked in and said hello to Ms. Dahlia and Lily, who were packing up.

“Oh hey, Jason!” Lily said. “Your house is amazing!”

Dahlia put her hand over her heart. “It’s stunning, Jason. You really have a gift. If I ever move into a bigger house, I know who I’m calling to help me renovate.”

“Thanks! I appreciate it.” I sat on the altar steps, guzzling water and trying to cool off.

“There’s some pizza left over, if you’re hungry.” Rose pointed toward the table where a couple boxes of Fat Boy’s Pizza sat.

“Oh God, yes.” I struggled to my feet. “Thank you.” I popped open the top box and gobbled a slice down in nearly three bites.

“Rose, honey, get some sleep. I’ll check on you tomorrow,” her mom said.

“And don’t forget to work on Mom’s sketches so we can pick dresses by Thursday.” Lily’s bossy tone didn’t sit right with me. “And I’ll help you stay on schedule to make sure you can get it all done.”

I grabbed another slice, but I didn’t want to sit on my chairs this dirty. I also didn’t want to be here for this conversation.

“Jesus, Lily, you don’t have to treat me like a to-do list. I’ll get Mom’s sketches doneandmake her dresses in time for her wedding, but on my timetable, not yours.”

“I just meant that—”

“Lily, let her do it on her time,” Dahlia said. “Rose, I trust you. Oh honey, I can’t believe we’ve been here all this time and haven’t asked you about Isaac. How are things going with him?”

“Oh that’sbeenover. Almost since I got back home.”

A chorus of “oh no!” and “I’m sorry!” from Lily and Dahlia.

“I mean I’m not surprised, though,” Lily said. “It must’ve been getting serious, for you to break things off.”

Ouch.

“Lily,” her mom chastised.

“Come on, Mom. That’s her MO! Let me guess. He told you he loved you? He saw a future with you more than two months out?”

“No, he was cheating on me. Is that an acceptable reason to break up, Lily, or should I have gotten your permission first?” Rose asked, her voice higher-pitched than normal.

Dahlia hugged Rose. “I’m so sorry, honey, you didn’t deserve that. Lily, apologize to your sister.”

Lily shrugged. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry, but you can’t blame me. I can’t remember all the names of the men she’s dated and bailed on when things got serious.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to put Lily in her place, but that would be a shitty thing to do when I hadn’t even called my mom out. I couldn’t imagine Rose would appreciate it. I popped my last bite of pizza into my mouth. I should go straight and take a shower. But I was rooted to the spot. Why was Lily being so mean, and right in front of me? Did she treat her worse when they were alone?

“Are you seeing anyone new yet?” her mom asked. “You’re taking care of yourself, though, right?” She said that more quietly, but sounds traveled in this church. “That bag of toys didn’t get destroyed in the hurricane, did it?”

“MOM,” Rose balked while Lily cackled.

“Rose,” Lily started, “I’m going to need your full sexual history, solo and partnered, with dates, times, and toys used.” Lily’s voice had taken on the deeper tone of their mother, who then started laughing as Rose muttered an “Oh my God.”

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