Page 86 of The Ground Beneath Our Feet
“Will!” Amelia gave him a huge hug, which he returned, his biceps hugging her tight. He smiled, gave me the once-over, and stuck out his rough, calloused hand.
“I’m Will Thrash.”
“Jessica.” Good Lord, his hand was strong. Like my Mikey.
Except he wasn’t my Mikey anymore. I didn’t know what he was.
“Pleasure, darlin’. What’cha drinking?”
“She drinks sparkling water,” chirped Marie.
“That true?” drawled Will.
“Yes,” I said, in awe of his good looks and easy charm. But he also felt like he could be a good friend—someone who’d listen. I was so happy Marie had found him.
As we sat around the table, drinking our drinks, Amelia brought up the subject. “Jessica and Mikey had something happen.”
“What is it?” asked Lucy.
“We broke up,” I said. “I just need some time to think. I’ve checked into a motel.”
“You can come stay with us,” offered Marie. “We’ve got a ton of room. Maybe being up on the ranch would help you clear your head.”
“Need a few days off?” asked Amelia.
I did. “Yes, please.”
“You got it. Go pack up your things and go to Headlands. It’s a good place to focus on what you really need.”
After drinks, Will and Marie followed me to my house—Mikey’s house—in a big, white pickup truck. They came inside while I got ready. Mikey wasn’t there.
I hoped he hadn’t fallen off the wagon.
God, that was what it would be like, being with an alcoholic. You’d constantly worry about what they were doing.
But wait.
This was what my therapist would call codependent behavior. I was getting anxiety from worrying about what Mikey was or wasn’t doing, when I could just ask him.
I called.
“Baby.” His voice sounded relieved. “Where are you? What are you doing?”
“I’m at home.”
“Give me five minutes. I’m at work still. I’ll come see you.”
“No, Mikey. I just—” I took a deep breath. “I wanted to let you know that I was going to go stay with Will and Marie near Santa Ynez for a few days. I need to take a break. You’ll take care of Schmedley and the rest?”
“Of course, baby.” I could hear the pain in his voice as it cracked. “Take all the time you need. I’ll be here waiting for you.”
“Ready, darlin’?” asked Will.
I looked around. The turtles were in the kitchen, eating. The cats lazed in the sun. The dog slept on the front porch. Everything was the same except me. I had changed.
And I didn’t know how to deal with that. So I needed some time to think.
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
