Page 88 of Love & Other Disasters

Thirty

Two weeks into her job at Pure Botanicals and life without Jordan, she still couldn’t sleep through the night. She’d spent more years sleeping alone than not, and having trouble readjusting to life alone was ridiculous.

He’d left messages and texted, but refrained from showing up at her door. Which worked out, because she wasn’t ready to forgive him. She’d fallen hard for him, and he betrayed her trust. She grieved through a complete range of emotions.

Violet was curled up on her couch when a knock at the door brought her out of her online search of cats at the local animal shelter. She carried the box of tissues and peered out the peephole expecting J.P., but it was Jill instead.

“No, I’m not going anywhere with you,” Violet said, opening the door to a cold blast of air. They’d texted on and off ever since Violet’s illness, but she remained on guard with Jill.

Jill looked at the box clutched to Violet’s chest. “What’s with the tissues?”

“Allergies.”

“Everything’s dead, and I’m not asking you to go anywhere.” Jill held up an enormous bottle of wine. “This is how you get over dick weasels.”

“I don’t think one bottle of wine will do it, I’m afraid. Not even the one the size of a milk jug.” Violet stepped back letting Jill pass.

“I considered vodka, but you’re a bit of a light weight.”

She laughed. “I’m a total light weight. With vodka we might actually get arrested.”

Jill went to the kitchen and found the cork screw in the drawer. “You can’t get arrested falling asleep on the couch.”

True, alcohol made her sleepy. “Yeah, but knowing you, you’d pull me out of here before I passed out, and I’d be half asleep running from the fuzz.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m the runner in the family,” she grinned, pulling the cork from the bottle.

“Wow, you bought a bottle without a screw top.”

“Yep. I’m growing up.” She grinned, handing Violet a glass. “Although, I want a straw long enough to reach the bottom of the wine bottle, then I wouldn’t have to worry about cups.”

“You could turn the entire thing up,” Violet suggested.

Jill shook her head. “That gets too messy, trust me.” She pointed to the television. “What are you watching? A sappy rom-com?”

“I was looking at cats on the shelter website.”

Jill stopped and wrinkled her nose. “I would say that’s very granny of you, but you were using technology… I don’t know where to go with that.”

“It’s not granny,” Violet said, taking her wine to the couch. “It’s accepting my fate as a cat lady.” She sank back onto the cushion. “Besides to be a granny would mean I had kids, and therefore, need a man.”

Jill waived a dismissive hand, setting the bottle on the coffee table. “All you need are a few of his best swimmers. There’s no need for a whole man these days.” She picked up the remote and powered on the television. “Let’s see what sappy movie we can find.”

“I don’t know if I could go about it in that way. It’s fine if that’s what someone wants, just don’t know if I do.”

“I don’t see you going to a sperm bank.” She found a made for T.V. movie playing, and they settled in drinking and not speaking.

“God, this plot sucks,” Jill said after a while.

“Speaking of plot, how’s your book coming along?”

“It sucks too, but not as bad as this horrible story. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Violet laughed. “I’m sure it doesn’t suck that bad.”

“My story or this movie?” Jill refilled their wine glasses.

“Your story. This movie is awful. He’s hot, so that’s one redeeming factor.”

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