Return to Me

Twelve

Christmas has come and gone, but the holiday spirit is still alive and kicking. Why? Because New Year's is approaching and everyone including myself is looking forward to celebrating and starting the new year.

Currently, I'm at the grocery store looking at a bunch of wine for the New Year's party that Jeremy and I have decided to host. We'll be having the party at his house because it's bigger and we've invited a lot of friends for the celebration. Even Emily and Andrew are flying in and I can't wait to see my friends.

Jeremy and I figured we should get a few bottles of regular wine and a few bottles of champagne. I've already got the regular wine, now I'm just looking at what would be a good champagne selection. Hmm..there's Barefoot...and Andre's has always been good...hmm why not pick both? I grab a Barefoot spumante and two bottles of Andre cold duck and as a last minute decision, I grab some sparkling grape juice for the kids. 

Now onto the regular groceries. My fridge and cupboards are getting pretty bare--I've been eating leftovers and takeout with Sam for dinner--and haven't had a lot of time for grocery shopping.

I grab a couple bags of salad and continue through the produce section, looking at all the fruits and veggies I want to eat. Spotting some apples, I wheel my cart over and start putting some into a plastic bag, counting how many I've picked up.

"Six bottles of wine...becoming quite the alcoholic, I see." a voice says, but I don't even need to turn around to know who it is.

"What do you want?" I snap, refusing to look in his direction and keep loading my cart with produce.

"I'm grocery shopping." he replies and I roll my eyes.

"Whatever."

"Ooo, someone's a little bitter. Does the boyfriend have something to do with it?"

This time I whip my head in his direction and I can see he's trying not to laugh. "What the hell is your problem? Really, Jack, what is it? You've become nothing but a selfish prick and might I add quite bitter. And didn't I tell you to never speak to me again?" I'm raising my voice and I know I'm causing a scene, but I don't care. I've had it with Jack and his bitter attitude.

I'm surprised when he gets in my face as I did him, his voice raising as well. "My problem is you! You seem to be everywhere I look and I can't get away from you!" He's going to say more, but I don't let him.

"Then you should have stayed in Seattle where you belong! Why--" he cuts me off.

"I belong wherever you are! I've been in love with you for five years and you torture me!" 

What? He's still in love with me? I knew he was mad about it, but I didn't know he's still in love with me. Before I can muster up anything to say, a store manager approaches us.

"Hey, I'm sorry guys, but you're going to have to take it outside." I look at the manager, shocked. I'm getting kicked out?

"I have groceries to buy! Kick him out!" I point a finger at Jack.

"You can come back when you've cooled off." the manager replies.

I grab my purse and glare at Jack, stomping my way towards the door like a child, but I don't care. I think I have every right to do so, this is all Jack's fault anyways and I have to pay for it. "See what you did! You always have to cause trouble!" I shout and he's following with the manager close behind.

"Me? You started it! You started it four years ago!"

When we're out the door, we're still yelling at each other.

"Move on, Jack! Just move on! I had to!" I'm backing up on the sidewalk, facing him, my fists clenched.

"You had to? What does that mean?"

Without thinking, I begin to cross the street. "Just move on--"

"Rosie! Look out!" all of a sudden, I turn to see a car coming straight for me and before I can react, I feel my body being pushed out of the way. I come in contact with the pavement just as I hear brakes squeal, a crash and then a sickening thud.