Page 7 of Absolute Certainty
Eloise sniffled. “I know. But, Dad, Mr. Johnson is really mean. I don’t want to be in his art class anyway.”
“How so?” Jay asked.
“He doesn’t help anybody. Briana’s grandma died, and she was secretly crying, and then stupid Tony stood up and made fun of her.” She paused for the briefest instant. “And then, I got up to go help Briana, but Mr. Johnson yelledat meto go back to my seat.”
Jay exhaled. “Is Briana the kid who was also being bullied?”
“Yeah, Tony is so mean to her, and Mr. Johnson never tells him to stop.”
“People are messed up, baby, and it gets worse when you get older. But in times like this, you’re better off telling another adult that you trust than taking matters into your own hands. You have a bright future ahead of you, El. Your mom and I, even Gavin, are always going to believe you, so how about you let us take care of these things, and you be a kid for a little while longer.”
Eloise sighed loudly. “Okay. How many more days do I have until I come to New York again?”
“I’ll be there to get you this weekend, but let me talk to your mom real quick.”
She handed the phone over to Maya.
“Me again.”
“Hey, so is she out for good, or are you going to try and get her back in?”
“Nope, she’s out. I don’t want to force her when she’s this upset. We’ll find some other way for her to continue art in the fall if she wants.”
“Yeah, it doesn’t seem like she feels comfortable around him, and I wouldn’t want her in an environment like that. Still good with me coming in this weekend?”
Maya was silent for a beat; she seemed to be rummaging through something. “Totally. Kira and I still have plans to come up during the third weekend of July, too. I’ll text you the actual dates later. I’m blanking right now.”
“Sounds good,” Jay said, then hung up his phone.
With his laptoppropped up on his thigh, Jay turned to pick up his phone from his bedside table. Searching for Sahar’s name, he found her contact card and stared for a moment.
Sahar Peck.Just reading her name entranced him.
He typed in her email address, then sent over the screenplay, his finger hovering over the key for a minute too long as nerves whirled inside of him.
Afterward, he shut off the laptop, set it down, and prepared a text to Sahar. He had her number—it was only fair that he gave her his.
JAY
Hey, it’s Jay from Amanda’s. I sent you all the episodes. Feel free to give me your honest, unfiltered opinion, even if you think it’s shit. Thanks again for today.
It was 11 p.m. now, and he wasn’t sure if that meant she’d be home yet or not. Still, he didn’t expect a reply from her. At least not tonight. He was about to put his phone away when it vibrated in his hand.
SAHAR
I appreciate you clarifying which Jay you are, but I’m chuffed to report you’re the only one I know. Lol. & I’m certain it’s not shit, though I’m more than happy to give you an honest opinion. I’m not very good at sugarcoating things.
JAY
Good. I don’t want you to sugarcoat.
SAHAR
I hope you’re feeling a bit better.
A sharp stab of something lodged itself in his throat. Hewas—just barely and largely because of her.
JAY
