Unexpected Connections A Short Story

part 5

It was the afternoon and you had spent the whole day with Tara, you spread mayonnaise on six pieces of bread. Tara was sitting at her kitchen counter eating chips and talking to you about something but you were in such deep thought you weren't paying attention. You thought about what Chris could be doing right now, how good he fucked you on that night, and how your conversations since then had been so formal. 

"And he always has his little rich white bitch over there around my daughter when she's there, and Jane I swear to god I have tried to be cool about it but it's hard when he's literally divorced me for her you know? Jane? JANE?"

"Yeah yeah sorry, I'm sorry" Jane trailed off dropping the spoon and running her hands over her face

"Ohh mi amor," Tara stood up from the stool and offered Jane a Cheeto puff. The girl moved her head toward the puff taking it with her teeth. "You need to stop shitting yourself and just text him, my love," Tara said fixing a piece of Jane's curls.

"I-just I don't know, the night we spent together was literally the best night I've had since I moved here, and he's just been so distant since." Jane worried shaking her head while she added fresh pieces of lettuce, tomato, and avocado to each piece of bread.

"Okay so let me get this right, the date was great, the dick was fire... and now he's acting weird?" Tara said waving a Cheeto around in her hand, her other one on her hip, whispering so that her daughter didn't hear.

"Oh my god Tara. What if he didn't like it and just wants to leave me alone? Oh my god," she stopped making the sandwiches again to bring her hands up to cover her lips in the sudden realization that Chris might not have liked her.

"No baby no, the only way you figure this out is to talk to him, be honest with him, tell him how you feel, you like him so tell him that, invite him on another date even, you know? I just know that there is absolutely no way in hell that he doesn't like you," Tara said leaning on the counter and you just smiled at her because she always knew what to say to make you feel better.

"Now calm down and finish making these sandwiches because baby I don't know what it is about these sandwiches but they are crazy fucking good, right mija" Tara looked over at her 4-year-old who sat at the counter coloring a hello kitty page as she dropped her crayon to hold up her thumb and nod her head.

You finished making the sandwiches and you all ate at the counter talking and joking, Teddy showed you and Tara all of the pages she's colored so far and we praised her for how cute they were. Once we finished eating we cleaned and watched movies and while we were watching La La Land, you thought of Chris. You picked up your phone and checked your notifications, a few from social apps, and your family group chat, it was 8 pm and the moonlight lit up Tara's living room. You went to your messages and scrolled down to click on Chris.

Today 10:04 am

good morning chris :)

Mornin' Jane

how'd u sleep?

He had left you on read since this morning and you seriously wanted to know what his problem was so you decided to text him.

Today 10:04 am

good morning chris:)

Mornin' Jane

how'd u sleep?

Today 

chris is everything okay? did i do something wrong?

As you waited for his response you put down your phone and turned your attention back to the tv 

"Okay mami it's bath time," Tara said hopping off of the couch and waiting for Teddy to pull the blanket off of her "Cmon baby," she said in a soft voice as she grabbed her daughter's hand, as soon as they reached the bathroom your phone made a ding sound.

Today 10:04 am

good morning chris:)

Mornin' Jane

how'd u sleep?

Today 8:08 pm

chris is everything okay? did i do something wrong?

Hi Jane, I'm sorry. Some things came up and I've been awfully busy, can we get together tomorrow and talk?

yeah of course, i'm sorry if i've been a bother, where would you like to meet?

Cozy Cup, 10 am? And of course you haven't been a bother

see u then:)

Have a good night Jane:)

u too chris

It felt good to know that the man didn't hate you and that he's just been busy but you couldn't help but think about what he's been busy doing, it's the fact that you couldn't put your finger on it that bothered you. You kissed Teddy goodnight and Tara hugged you, kissed you on your forehead, and walked you to your car as you drove off to your house. After you showered you got under your covers, thinking about Chris. What if he's like secretly married, or worse what if he has a kid? I guess I'll just figure it out tomorrow. 

You thought and thought until your eyes slowly fell closed.