Everywhere, Everything. ★ STURNIOLO TRIPLETS

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Jenny picked up on the second ring.

"Next Chapter," she greeted on the other end of the line. For a moment, I hesitated, considering whether or not I should have even called. This wasn't her mess to get me out of. It wasn't her responsibility to help pick up the pieces, and trust me - there were plenty.

"Hello?" She said, and the cash register ticked open in the background. Jenny counted the drawer a half hour before closing every day because she preferred spending the rest of the evening making sure the shelves were tidy and the space was welcoming. Honestly, if the bookstore wasn't as popular as it was, I was pretty sure she'd still be more concerned with creating a place for people to feel at home rather than the money.

"Jenny?" I put on my steadiest voice. "It's Nat."

"Natalia! You sure know how to keep an old girl hanging. What happened? How'd it go? Where are you?"

The last day played in my mind like a sick montage. Each intimate moment flashed across my memory bringing unwanted emotions with them. In an ideal world, I'd be calling to share good news like my father wanted to make amends by being a part of my life, or my mother reached out and apologized for being radio silent. Instead, the man I drove across the country for referred to me as a client and my mother sold me out for fifteen minutes of fame. Oh! And my heart was ripped straight out my chest and left on the driveway like roadkill.

Dirt and pollen powdered my black jeans. "Sorry I didn't call earlier," I dusted rocks off my palms with my thigh and jumped down from the stone wall, "today's been...a lot."

Chalk it up to her age, but Jenny was exceptionally good at knowing when something was wrong even when you didn't show it. And although I was forcing a smile she couldn't see, praying it kept the emotion out of my voice, it was no use.

"Natalia, what's wrong?" The cash register slammed closed.

Where was I supposed to even begin?

I barely got one word out before my voice cracked. "Jenny, I-I'm really sorry for calling, but you're the only person -"

"Natalia, sweetheart, where are you?" There was an edge to her voice and it cut through the last shred of my composure. The darkening blue sky softened behind my tears.

"At the boys' cabin in Morin Hill."

Over the landline, I heard her quick footsteps scurrying around the bookstore and the metallic clatter of our OPEN a-frame being dragged inside. I didn't want things to end like this but we don't always get what we want. I knew that better than anyone.

Still, I said, "Jenny, really, I'm fine. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have called," I stepped in a thick pile of amber leaves, my sneakers squelching in the mud beneath, "I was just upset, I can -"

"Natalia, stop."

The words died in my throat.

"You never have to apologize for calling me. Ever. Do you understand?"

I nodded, then remembered she couldn't see me. "Okay."

"Now, I don't know what happened between you and your father or you and those boys, but you can bet your ass when I get there, you will be telling me everything."

I really didn't want to rehash the last twenty-four hours, but I knew there was no getting out of it with her. After we hung up, I paced the width of the driveway until street lamps flickered on and mosquitoes buzzed around my head.

Every stubborn atom in my body refused to go inside. Between having to face Nick, Matt, and Chris or being eaten alive by insects - I was leaning towards the slow death. But, I couldn't wait out here forever. Or at least not for the next three hours until Jenny arrived. I'd have to go in for my bags eventually.