Hearts Don't Break Around Here

Chapter 12 - Mango Sorbet

1 Year Ago

Roseanne's phone lays motionless on the worn-out coffee table. She knows she shouldn't be this anxious but she can't help it. She just keeps staring at it, unblinking. Waiting for something to happen.

"Want some water or something?" Jennie calls from the kitchen.

Roseanne glares at the phone. "No."

"Maybe some cereal?"

"No."

Jennie sighs. "Any dinner? At all? Ever?"

"No, Snickers. Can't you see I'm busy?"

Jennie groans, and Roseanne can hear her rolling her eyes. "She's not going to call you tonight. It's after six."

"So what?"

"So work hours are over. Nobody gets offered a job after six PM. It just doesn't happen."

Roseanne continues staring, not wanting to give in. Working at the front desk of a hotel has been...exactly what you would expect. The only reason Roseanne ever stayed in her job was really because she couldn't think of anything else she wanted to do. But after observing, and maybe accidentally helping with the planning of a few hotel-hosted events, she very surprisingly found something she loved even more than hospitality. Event planning.

And the universe is on her side, too. Henry's girlfriend, Wendy, actually took over her family's event planning business and Roseanne applied for her open, entry-level position the second Henry told her about it. She doesn't know Wendy very well, despite the fact that she and Henry seem to be getting pretty serious. So, really, she doesn't know what she'll think of her in a professional work environment. She probably can't rely on Henry's word either because...well, Henry knew her when she was still basically wetting her pants. So no matter how many times Jennie says, "Oh my god, Rosie. You'll be fine. There's no way you won't get it." Roseanne can't help but feel like she probably won't get it.

Wendy said for her to expect a call, mid-week. It is Wednesday. Literally the middle of the week. Roseanne runs a hand down her face and continues staring at her phone. She sees Jennie approaching her out of the corner of her eye. Jennie sits down next to her on the futon. Roseanne immediately smells something fruity.

She turns her head a little aggressively towards Jennie and sniffs again. "What is that? What are you eating?"

"Fruit Loops," Jennie says, smirking a little. "Oh, sorry. Did you want some? You said you were busy."

Roseanne scowls at her. Then she scowls at the bowl. Then back up at her. "Fuck you."

Jennie laughs loudly and she ignores it, turning back to her phone.

"Rosie, please relax," Jennie says, still grinning. She leans forward a little to get a better view of Roseanne's face. "You've been at it for two hours. Don't you have to pee?"

Roseanne remains scowling. "She'll call while I'm in the bathroom. I know she will."

"No, she won't."

"Yes, she will, Jennie! And we both know it!"

Jennie sighs defeatedly, eyes scanning over Roseanne. Roseanne glances at her. The expression on her face is sympathetic.

"Okay, alright," Jennie says gently. "If you're not going to move then...I guess I'll just wait with you."

Roseanne lets out a breath. "Thank you. Jeez."

Jennie leans forward so that she is in the same position as Roseanne; elbows resting on her knees and chin resting in her hand. They sit side by side and study the inactive phone on the table in front of them.