The Life of Esther Jameson

Chapter Twenty One

Sunday, July 15, 2018

So now, I guess we're dating. Jackson is my boyfriend, and I'm his girlfriend. It really hasn't been that long since Logan and I have separated, and I'm wondering if all of this is happening too fast.

But Jackson and I are together now, and I'm kind freaking out like a giddy 16 year old who just met her celebrity crush, yet it's obviously even more than that. I have no other words.

---

Cora screamed. "He did what?"

"He asked me to date him." I repeated. "How many times do I need to tell you?"

"Okay, I know you said that, but what?" She continued to squeal and shook me excitedly. "I can't believe it, I've been wanting this to happen for like, ever!"

"Yeah, that's what everyone has been saying."

A lot of people had been telling me that. Even people who I haven't talked with since middle school had been telling me that. I guess everyone had just expected that we'd get together. It made me wonder if my dad hadn't gone to jail, things between me and Jackson would have gone differently. Maybe he would have never come back and I would still be stuck in this mess. I was at fault for a lot of things lately.

My phone rang and I looked down at it in confusion. I wasn't expecting anyone else to call me. Who was it?

"Hello?"

"Esther, it's Dimitri."

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I wanted to ask if you'd talk to Zelina's dad today."

I had totally forgotten about my promise to Dimitri. He was still waiting to mail his marriage license in because I had forgot. "Yeah, of course. Where should I meet him?"

"At Zelina's house. I texted you the address." He sounded so happy, I hated to tell him that I absolutely hated Zelina with a passion. "Thanks so much, Esther!"

I hung up and sighed. I know I promised Dimitri and that was all I had to concentrate on. This was for him and no one else. I had to put aside my personal hatred for his wife and talk with her dad. Zelina Prince. Ew.

Within the next few minutes, I was knocking on the Jefferson's door. It took a lot of breathing to get to the door, but at least I was trying.

Dimitri, Dimitri, Dimitri, I chanted over and over in my mind. This is for Dimitri.

Mr. Jefferson opened the door. I could tell he wasn't really expecting me to come because his shirt had a stain on it and he looked like he hadn't brushed his teeth this morning. Other than that, he looked a lot like his daughter. Hazel green eyes and auburn hair.

"Esther Jameson?" He said my name like it was a hex.

"Dimitri sent me," I said, noting the disgust that passed across Mr. Jefferson's features.

"Right. Come in." He opened the door unceremoniously and I let myself through. "Sorry about the mess."

The house was a total mess. I remembered that Zelina had a younger brother and sister living with her and then I recalled that Jenny had said that their mom was sick. There were clothes in piles just waiting to be washed, dirty plates left on the coffee table, and the television was mindlessly broadcasting the news.

"Are you Dimitri's ex?" Mr. Jefferson asked out of the blue. "Is that why he sent you?"

I almost laughed, but that would have been mildly inappropriate. "No, I'm one of his friends. He mentioned that you and him had started on a bad foot. I'm here to be the middleman."