Page 21 of Can We Skip to the Good Part?
“Do you want to …?” Ella asked.
“Yep,” Max said, setting down the knife. They moved to the sink at the same time, flanking Stevie on either side.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Max asked, taking the lead. Ella placed a hand on Stevie’s arm for support.
“Um, it’s just, uh … Dominic and I are splitting up.” She exhaled slowly having gotten the words out. “He’s staying at his friend’s place and will be back to get the rest of his stuff this weekend.”
“Fuck. Stevie, I’m so sorry.” Max couldn’t believe it. Not that the two of them were tied at the hip or anything, but the environment seemed to be a pretty stable ship. “That fucker.”
Stevie gulped in air and gripped the sink as if to say Jesus, give me strength. “No, no. It was me! This is all my fault.”
“Oh,” Max said, and exchanged another look with Ella, whose eyes were wide. She’d certainly been tossed in the deep end early. “Were you just not happy?”
“I think I’m …” She added a moving forward gesture, but her voice trailed off, leaving them guessing.
“Feeling like you need more?” Ella offered.
“No. Just maybe different … you know? A different kind of … thing.”
Max nodded. “You feel like the newness has worn off after all these years?”
“No,” Stevie said. “I’m not bored.”
She decided to go there. “So what exactly are you?”
“Maybe … gay.” She scrunched up her face as if to brace for something scary.
Max’s lips parted in shock, and when she looked at Ella, her eyes had tripled in size. After knowing Stevie for three years now, she hadn’t seen this coming. Not even once.
“Oh,” Ella said, settling back on her heels. “Well, that’s not something to be ashamed of. If anything, understanding yourself a little better is a cause for celebration.”
Stevie opened her eyes. “I’m not sure it feels that way.”
“Maybe you’re still getting used to the idea,” Ella said. “I’m sure Dominic is, too.”
“He’s sad and surprised, but he says he gets it. Wants me to be happy. But, fuck, you all, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do next. I feel like a dandelion swept up in a tornado.”
Max placed her back against the counter and looked Stevie in the eye. “Once you’re ready, and not a moment sooner, you dip your toe in. Simple.” She lifted a shoulder like it was no big deal. “See if there are any women out there you’d like to date.”
Stevie barked a laugh. “Can you imagine me asking someone out?” She hooked a thumb. “I’ve been married and settled for over thirty years. I don’t know how to do that. I don’t know how to flirt. And who buys dinner?”
“I can imagine that the situation is daunting for you. Please know that your feelings are entirely normal. You don’t have to know any of these things,” Ella said and covered Stevie’s hand with her own. Her words were soft, coated in warmth and sincerity. It was a good reminder for Max to dial it down, too. Take a gentler approach to Stevie, who wasn’t at her strongest. “You have such a fantastic support system in all of your friends.” She smiled warmly. “And I’m one of them now, too. You have my number, and I expect you to use it.”
That seemed to make Stevie feel better. “I just might take you up on that, and make you regret the offer.”
“Trust me. Not possible.”
Stevie grabbed a towel, dried her eyes, and exhaled slowly. “Now that my dramafest is on a brief hiatus, I think I’ll go fluff my damn hair and pinch my cheeks before the others get here. Is my eye makeup ruined?”
“Not at all,” Max said. “You’re gorgeous.” And she was.
Stevie paused and looked back before exiting the kitchen. Her features went soft. “Thank you both. I mean that.”
“Anything for you, Stevie,” Max said, knowing she’d been the backup at best. Score one for Ella and her smooth handling of the live grenade they’d just been lobbed.
“How did you do that?” Max asked quietly once they were alone. She returned to her station alongside Ella.
“Do what?” Ah. The chilly curtain had fallen firmly back in place. Ella had gone back to slicing and kept her eyes on her work. Apparently, their joining forces was only on Stevie’s behalf.
