Ungullible

Chapter 25: Crossroads

Ever thought there would be a time were somethings don't feel the same and you think is it changing for the better or worse. Crossroads are a phase in life you face to over come the difficult times. Or you could let them over come you. How you get over them is your choice either being weak and giving up or staying strong and evolving.

It was the third month since Jason left.

It hadn't been planned this way. He was supposed to be back before the end of the first month, and he knew this separation was already more than I could handle.

During the first month, we made it work. We texted and called whenever we got the chance, sending pictures back and forth, holding on to each other through screens and late-night conversations. Then, toward the end of that month, he called to tell me he wouldn't be able to return until the month after.

I told myself it couldn't be helped. Since he was already there, why not finish everything before coming back? I understood or at least, I tried to. When the calls and texts started reducing, I told myself he was just busy. I didn't get pictures anymore, but I convinced myself there was nothing to worry about.

The second month passed roughly.

I was busy too. The holidays were approaching, and I hadn't mentioned it before, but Joe's company was an event-planning firm. As his personal assistant, the job wasn't easy, booking venues, planning events, sourcing supplies, juggling deadlines. It took more out of me than I expected.

I still texted and called whenever I found time. Jason replied, but his messages were short.

"I see."
"That's good."
"Yeah."
"Call back later."

But he never did.

It began to feel like he was saying things just to end the conversation, and that thought scared me. I tried not to let it settle in my mind, because once it did, I knew it would be hard to silence.

By the third month, I barely heard from him at all.

There were no more good mornings. No more what did you eat today? I texted him, but there was no reply.

Abbie told me not to worry, that he would text back, that everything was fine.

I wanted to believe her.

But it didn't feel like everything was fine.

What if something had happened to him and I would never find out? Or worse, what if he was already tired of me, able to forget me that easily?

I thought I had moved past that phase; the depressive one but it felt like I was drowning again. Jason was my first boyfriend. If I wasn't even allowed to worry when he didn't text, then maybe I had never been enough for him in the first place.

Winter had settled in by then, and with it came a quiet resolve. I decided to visit his uncle Matthew's place. Maybe he was still in contact with them maybe just maybe they knew something I didn't.

"Hey, Novia. It's been a while," his aunt Claudelle greeted warmly, stepping aside to let me in. the dog asleep on the couch.

"Let me get you something to drink," she said, heading toward the kitchen.

Everything looked the same. That unsettled me more than I expected. How could so much change in just three months when this place hadn't changed at all?

"Here you go, dear," she said, handing me a mug of hot chocolate.

"Thank you," I replied, wrapping my hands around the cup. The warmth seeped into my palms as I took a small sip.