“Donovan started talking about me moving in with him, and I fought against it. It was too soon and, I don’t know, I didn’t really feel like we were at that point. That made him mad. Shortly after, he stopped buying cookies.”
I swipe my phone up and find her name in my text list.
My heart pounding, I type out a simple text that I hope she understands.
Me:
A few seconds later, her reply comes through.
Georgia:
It’s not enough, but at least it’s something until I can talk to her. She knows I’m not going anywhere.
Because I will talk to her.
I’ve waited my entire adult life for her. I can wait a bit longer.
The sound of my phone shakes me out of my sleep. I grasp wildly at my bedside table until I find it as I sit up.
Georgia: Hey, just checking on you.
Me: It’s so good to hear from you. How are you?
I stare at the screen until it goes black. My heart turns a dark shade with it.
Georgia: I’m actually terrible. I am so sorry for what happened today. I’ve tried to call you and text you a hundred times, but I just don’t know what to say.
“Thank God.”
Me: You don’t have to say anything. You don’t have to apologize or explain. I just want to know that you’re okay.
Georgia: Mom said some really awful things to both of us today, and I’m so sorry you had to hear them. I can brush them off because I know she’ll come around. But you didn’t deserve any of that.
Me: And you think you did?
“You’ve got to be kidding me, Peaches.”
I stare at the screen, waiting for her reply—one that takes far too long.
Georgia: I have to figure this out. It’s time I place some boundaries with her and demand more respect. But I fear that’s going to be a process at best, impossible at worst. But, until I know, I can’t have you being subjected to her word vomit.
Me: I’m a big boy.
Georgia: Don’t I know it? I just need some time, okay? You’ve protected me for so long, and I need to protect you, too.
Me: I don’t need protecting. I need to be there for you.
Georgia: If you get involved, it’ll make it messier. And I can’t focus on my new job—which I start tomorrow now, by the way—you, and Mom. Even though it’s not what I want when we’ve just found each other, I just need a bit of space. Please.
Me: You can have all the space you want, as long as you know this is where you’re going to end up.
Georgia: Soon.
Me:
Georgia:
It takes a long time to fall back asleep. But, when I do, I sleep a bit more peacefully.