Page 80 of Love & Other Disasters

Twenty-Seven

J.P. didn’t come home until late that night. She’d watched every newscast for any more information and seen the replay of him ignoring the reporters and walking into the building several times. Impressed by his calm in the situation, but the tightness in his jaw told of his stress.

He came in after ten using the key she’d given him, waking her from the spot on the couch where she’d dozed.

“I wasn’t sure if I’d see you tonight,” she said.

“I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be,” he said. He bent and kissed her while unbuttoning his shirt.

Surely he could think of a thousand places better than her little duplex in south Nashville. She had several in mind without trying. “You need loftier goals,” she joked.

“How are you feeling, funny lady?” he sat next to her and pulled off his shoes. They hit the floor with a thud, and he slouched back on the cushion, exhausted.

“I’m okay. Slept on and off; hopefully the worst is done. How’d today go?”

“Like Dante’s Inferno. The fifth circle of Hell. I talked to so many people today,” he said, pressing his palms over his eyes like he was holding his brain inside.

“Headache?” she asked. He moaned, and she retrieved the medicine. “Have you eaten dinner?” she called.

“No,” he groaned.

J.P. inhaled the plate of leftovers and fell asleep sitting on the couch. She roused him enough to get him to bed.

“I have to do this again tomorrow,” he whispered as she pulled the blanket over him.

“You got this,” she said, and kissed his forehead, but he was already unconscious.

The following morning, she woke alone. He’d left before the alarm, and she missed his warmth. Violet was ready to return to work. She didn’t want to use her relationship with him as an excuse to stay home during a tough time. She needed to be there with her colleagues and pitch in.

But when she walked in, no one said a word to her as she switched on the computer. It was odd that none of them welcomed her back or asked how she felt. She shrugged it off and went for her coffee, finding Monique in the break room. Her friend’s curly hair back in full force and yellow dress made a bright impression early in the morning.

“Girl,” she whispered, grabbing Violet’s elbow. “Everyone knows about you and Jordan.”

“What… how?” And her chilly reception that morning made perfect sense.

“That agent lady was in here asking questions. She asked everyone about it.”

The room whirled around. Why did the agent need to disclose their relationship to the department? Did Bob know too? What about their jobs? Elle was correct, dating her boss had bit her in the butt and threatened to take a chunk out.

“Are you okay?” Monique asked.

“What choice do I have?”

“I said it wasn’t true, but nobody bought it.”

Violet shrugged. “It is what it is. Besides, don’t lie on my account and get yourself ostracized too.”

Monique scrunched up her forehead. “Honey, this ain’t high school, and I don’t give two shits what they say.”

“You say that now, but when you don’t get invited to Timmy’s big party, you’ll be sorry. I hear his parents are out of town.” Violet found a smile.

Monique laughed and rolled her eyes. “Hey,” she said, turning serious, “I know I was upset that you didn’t tell me, but I get why you didn’t, because getting with him was the worst idea in history.”

Violet giggled. “Gee, thanks.”

“I wouldn’t have wanted to get talked out of getting some of that either. Him shirtless… a tattoo…. Boy is in shape.”

“He fights MMA for exercise.”

---