Page 104 of Nineteen Letters
The conversation then shifts to a funny story about when I was being toilet trained. They’re both laughing. My lips tug up at the corners as my eyes flicker back and forth between them. They look happy … just how Braxton described my parents in the letters. It’s a stark contrast to what I’ve witnessed recently.
They’re so engrossed in their conversation, I take the chance to slip away from the table. “I’m just going to use the ladies,” I say.
“Okay, pumpkin.”
Instead of heading to the bathroom, I walk towards the exit and out into the crisp evening air. My plan has worked out even better than I could have hoped.
It’s completely dark outside now, and chilly. I rub my hands down my arms because I left my jacket hanging over the back of my chair in the restaurant—but I’m not going back inside to get it.
I’m not even sure where the bus stop is from here, so I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone.
“Jemma,” Braxton says as soon as he answers. “Is everything okay?” Just hearing his voice makes me giddy.
“Everything’s fine. I was just wondering if you were busy.”
“I was about to order a pizza for dinner.”
“Oh. Never mind then, I can catch a bus home. There has to be a stop around here somewhere.”
“Where are you?”
“In town.”
“I’ll come get you. I don’t want you catching a bus on your own at this time of night.”
Ten minutes later, I spot his car coming towards me. I step out to the kerb, waving my hand above my head so he can see me.
“Hey,” he says, when I climb into the passenger seat.
“Hi.”
“You look nice.”
“Thanks, so do you.” He’s still in his work clothes; he looks so handsome in a suit.
“Can I ask why you’re in town alone at night?” His eyes meet mine momentarily as he pulls away from the kerb.
“I wasn’t alone.”
“Oh.” I can hear the shock in his tone.
“I was dining with my parents.”
“Christine and Stephen … together?” His gaze leaves the road briefly, darting in my direction.
“I tricked them both into coming. Neither of them knew the other was going to be there.”
“Ouch,” he says, scrunching up his face. “I bet that didn’t go down well.”
“Surprisingly, when I left the restaurant to call you, they were both talking and laughing.”
“No way.”
“Yes way.”
“Did you spike their drinks or something? Your mum can’t even stand being in the same room as him.”
“I know. She was pretty pissed with me when we first got there, but then they started reminiscing about stories from my childhood.”
