Page 34 of A Recipe Called Home

No, thanks. I’m good. Just need some sleep and I’ll be right as rain. See you soon!

Morning came too soon after a night of fitful sleep that caused Jules to almost miss her alarm. She threw her clothes back in her bag and gave her dying plants another healthy glug of water, making it out in record time. But as she wheeled the suitcase out of the large metal front door, she paused to look back at the beautiful, sophisticated apartment she used to love and let out a long sigh. Things already felt different, and she caught herself wondering if she’d ever see the place with the same affection she once had.

A few minutes later, she was back at the D.C. airport, boarding another plane to Illinois and to the rest of her life, wherever that would take her.

On the flight, Jules didn’t give herself permission to think. Instead, she zoned out to a popular romantic fantasy audiobook she downloaded at the airport. It’d been forever since she listened to anything but true crime podcasts, so it was refreshing to lose herself in a more uplifting story. She didn’t even notice they were landing until a flight attendant tapped her on the shoulder to bring her seat upright.

Jules sped through the airport, pulling her carry-on behind her, surprised to see Winnie already parked on the arrivals curb, waving a hand out the open window.

As soon as Jules climbed into the tiny car, she pounced.

“I’ve been dying in anticipation. Spill, lady,” she said, pulling off the curb, barely missing a utility van driving past.

“Focus, Winnie, I’d like to make it back in one piece.”

“Hush, hush.Youaskedmeto pick you up, didn’t you?”

Jules laughed. “Yes, I suppose that’s my fault. Thank you, though.” She decided to just let it out. “So, I quit my job and have no idea what I’m going to do.”

Winnie swung her head around, mouth wide open in a rare moment of speechlessness.

“Winnie!” Jules shouted. “Watch the road!”

“Jules!” Now, a huge smile plastered Winnie’s face. “I’m so proud of you! I could tell that job was sucking your soul.”

“Really? I didn’t even realize it myself until yesterday when I found out my boss was sleeping with the secretary.”

Winnie shot Jules another dumbfounded look, mouth hanging open.

“Yeah, I genuinely had no clue. I feel like an idiot.”

“Is this the same boss who wants you to come work for her?”

“’Tis the same one, indeed. But obviously, I’m not doing that.”

“I don’t blame you,” Winnie said before giving Jules some side eye and adding, “So, does this mean you’re moving back to Riverbend? That we get to keep you?”

Jules had given little thought to that possibility in the few brief hours since she’d upended her life. Could she move back here for good? Or at least until she figured out what she was going to do? Maybe. It wasn’t out of the question.

“I don’t know. I still have my apartment in D.C., but I guess other than that, I wouldn’t be leaving much behind. We’ll just have to see how things go,” she said, not ready to commit to anything.

“Well, either way, I say we celebrate! We should throw a party at my place and invite Miles."

“No,” replied Jules. “I mean, let’s celebrate, yes. But no to inviting Miles. I have too much to sort out without overcomplicating things.” Jules desperately wanted to see Miles, but she knew it wasn’t a good idea. After how she left and the feelings that were beginning to resurface, it was the last thing she needed.

“Ok. No Miles, just us. And maybe a few neighbors and other teachers? Only the cool ones, I promise,” she said, plans already forming in her head. Jules knew Winnie was dying to know more about the Miles situation, but she also knew when to let it go. Jules would tell her more when she was ready.

Sitting back, she relaxed into the seat and agreed to go along with whatever Winnie planned, determined to lean into her newfound era of spontaneity. Although, she wasn’t looking forward to having the same conversation with her grandma when she got home. She’d have to tell her she quit her job, and she didn’t know how her grandma would react to the news. Would she be disappointed or impressed with Jules’ bravery?

Once they crossed the county line to Riverbend, the reality of her situation started to creep in, forming stormy clouds of doubt in her mind. Would Grandma Rosa think she screwed up and was now crawling back home just like her mom had done so many times before? Would she understand, or would she tell her to go back to D.C. and beg for her job back? Jules wished for the serene calm she’d felt earlier to come back.

Trying to buy herself a few more minutes, she snuck in the front door with her luggage, hoping to get settled back in before breaking the news.

As soon as she stepped into the living room, a loud, “Jules!” rang from the kitchen.

Shit, she muttered under her breath.

Chapter 13

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