Page 4 of Loving the Sinner
I used to have music playing in my head constantly. Whether it’s a song from my childhood that I used to blast in my headphones, or a new song idea, my head was never empty.
I thought at first it was my anxiety medication dulling my creativity, but I’ve been on that for years and the music left six months ago. Just vanished one day and hasn’t returned.
I let the Instagram notification that pops up distract me, Robin has tagged me in some giveaway for some abstract art piece she wants, so nothing important. I see Luke’s story counting down the literal seconds until he sees Izzy again. I roll my eyes at the sappiness. I click on Izzy’s profile, curious to see if she has any pictures ofElliana,so I know who I’m meeting tonight. I see that Izzy posted a picture yesterday of her at a “Welcome to Texas” sign, and to my luck, she’s tagged none other thanEllianaherself.
Her profile doesn’t have a bio, and a quick scroll through shows there’s about a six month gap of posts, which is strange since she posts at least every two weeks before that. Her latest post is of her and her parents, making a joke about moving. They don’t look happy, don’t look sad, just kind of… annoyed. Or indifferent.
There are hardly any pictures ofher. It’s mostly pictures of family or scenery, the occasional book. The pictures she’s in show her in dresses, hair curled to perfection, and meticulously posed for the camera-prissy and stuck up, just like I thought. Although her smiledoesn’t quite seem to reach her perfectly lined eyes. I’ll admit, she is kind of pretty.
But so was Shelby and that didn’t make her a good person.
I’m tempted to go to Facebook and look her up, see if there’s any information there-just so I’m prepared for tonight- but I get a text before I can do anything.
Robs:Breakfast? Ernie’s? 30?
Wes:See you then.
I can’t say no to Ernie’s. Or Robin.
Thirty minutes later, after a quick shower, I’m in our usual booth at Ernie’s- a little cafe that has hosted many study sessions, hangover breakfasts, and celebrations the last few years. It’s familiar and cozy and Claudia and Ernie -the owners- are the adoptive grandparents I never knew I needed. They helped me earn money for a guitar and have always supported my music career. They’re my first fans, and I owe them everything.
While placing our drink order-coffee, black for me––the only kind I’ll drink black is Claudia’s––, and an iced vanilla latte with oat milk for Robin- I hear the bell ding at the door and turn in time to see my clumsy, redheaded best friend trip over the welcome mat, a loud squeak coming from her as she lands and the contents of her bag spill all over the floor.
“Christ Robs, are you okay?” I rush over to her, helping grab the random contents strewn all over the floor.
“Other than a bruised ego and possible bruised knees, I’m good.” She grumbles as she stands and snatches the tampons and pack of gum from my hands.
Claudia rushes over like a mother hen, “Dang nabbit Red, you gotta be more careful! Are you okay, honey? Do you need any ice for your knees?”
Robin’s face flushes at Claudia’s attention. “No, thank you Claudia. I’m alright.”
“Alrighty then. I’ll be at your booth in a minute with your drinks.” Claudia shuffles back to the kitchen.
“Well I know how much you love gossip. I have the perfect thing to take your mind off of it.” I say as we slide into opposite sides of our booth.
Claudia comes with our drinks giving Robs a gentle squeeze on her shoulder. “The usual for you two?”
“Yes, please.” Robs replies sweetly. As soon as Claudia turns away, Robs raises an inquisitive eyebrow in my direction. “Spill, Wessy.”
God I hate when she calls me that, but she does, no matter how many times I tell her to stop.
“Luke’s girlfriend is visiting for a few days. Her sister is moving here, so they’re going on a date toni-”
“The one from summer camp? That’s so exciting! He must be thrilled.” She cuts in. Robin has this thing where shehasto say something as soon as she thinks. I’m pretty sure she has undiagnosed ADHD, but she refuses to get tested.
“Yeah, her. That’s not even the best part. I’m going with him, on a semi-date thing, with her sister. As a chaperone or something.”
“Shut up!” Robs blurts out, then at a more normal volume, she continues, “Isn’t-oh, what’s her name? Lizzy?- She’s Mormon right? So her sister probably is too. What’s her sister's name? Why is she moving here? Why didn’t he ask Matt?”
“Izzy is her name, yes, they’re Mormon. He did ask Matt, but he has a work thing. Her name is Elliana. I don’t know why she’s moving here, her Instagram doesn’t give away much, and Luke didn’t provide any additional information.”
Robin nods, taking in the information. Then, a knowing smile spreads across her freckled face, herhazel eyes glimmering with mischief. “So, you’ve already Insta stalked her? Is she pretty?”
I scoff, “It’s not stalking if her profile is public. I just wanted to see who I was going out with. You know what’s weird, though? She has like a six month gap where there are no posts. Suspicious.”
Robs chokes on her drink as she snorts, “Why does that matter? Sometimes people take social media breaks or whatever. You’re being awfully judgy, Westley.”
“I guess that’s true, but she posted pretty regularly before that. I’m not trying to be judgy, I’m just trying to get all the facts.”
