The Transplant ✔️

58. Forgive, Don't Forget

Jobe's POV:

"Finally home, son." Dad patted my om the shoulder as he held the door open for me. I was surprised he even did that much work considering I had to bring all of suitcases up the stairs on my own. Scratch that, Avie did attempt to grab a bag, but unsuccessfully dropped it, but it's the thought that counts.

"Avie, why don't you grab that little bag on the passenger side. It's the dark green one hanging by the cup holder." I told her so she didn't feel like you couldn't help.

Her blonde hair swirled around as she turned her feet so she could go back to the truck.

"The makeup bag?" She asked.

"It's a razor kit, Avie. But yes, that's the one." I chuckled, heaving my suitcase up the last step.

I was happy to be home, almost as happy as my maid looked to be back to work. I had paid her well for her leave, but she I know she feels a sense of accomplishment to really work.

"Nice to see you again, sir." She greeted, nodding as I walked passed her.

"Nice to see you too." I kept the conversation sweet and to the point. I needed to get my belongings down before I collapsed. Sadly, I was too young to have Life Alert, so if I fall down, the help won't come quick. Lord knows my father is useless and the maid will probably pass out.

I chucked my bags onto a nearby leather couch, allowing myself to fall down with it.

"I missed it here." I said aloud, Avie propping herself under my arm on the couch.

"Is Jolie coming over soon?" Avie looked up.

"I'm not sure. I texted her earlier, but didn't receive a reply. She must be getting into town soon if she left soon after us." I found it odd that Jolie hadn't replied to my text, and I cursed myself for not telling her goodbye before I left. If I had known I wouldn't get in contact her for this long, I would have woken her up before departing. Maybe she's busy on the road, or maybe she doesn't want anything to do with me anymore. I was overtbinking things, right? Jolie and I had something special that had grown to a point that would overcome our time in the hospital.

"I can call her on my phone." I forget the little munchkin had a phone. I could use Avie just to see if Jolie would answer her, but then again, I don't want to be conniving. Dang, this dilemma is killing me. After a few moments of negotiating with my own brain, I replied to Avie.

"No, let her get home and get some rest. I'll call her later on and invite her over so you can see her. That's okay with you?"

"Yes." Avie answered.

"Avie, get off the couch before you fall asleep. Every time we come visit you sit yourself on that couch and get tired. Come on, we have to get going. Jobe, we will come check on you later this evening." My father was his normal self again, a frosty blizzard in Louisiana, and almost making me rethink the sentimental conversation we had at the hospital. But my father did have a heart, and sometimes, very seldomly, I see that side of him. Weird as it may sound, I somehow grew to like both sides, because both sides make him who he is.

"Okay, bye guys." I left them to retreat down the hallway.

When I didn't hear the door slam shut, I got up to check what was going on.

Walking in as my father was leaving was Andy Patrick.

My friend looked the same as I had last seen him, with the exception of no bruising and without his cowboy hat, which was definitely a positive new look for him.

"What do you want?" I said cooly.

Andy closed the door behind him, hesitant to walk across the foyer. We were face to face, Andy pursing his lips in awkwardness.

"I wanted to give you an apology. It's not easy for me to say I'm sorry, but the truth is, I've made a mess of things. From messing around with your girl, to insulting her even when I had a gut feeling you liked her. Whether you liked her or not, it still didn't excuse me from making fun of her or her brother. I mean, I made fun of him for doing the same thing I was doing. I have been a total mess since college started, trying to be someone I shouldn't have been. I'm sorry for everything, and I'm going to do better. We've been friends for too long for me to screw that up, unless it's too late..." He crossed his hands together, twiddling his thumbs in anxiousness.

I didn't have to contemplate my answer for long, because I knew what I had to do.

"Andy, you don't need to change for me; you need to change for yourself. I'm not the one who is going to have to live a miserable life if you don't change. What you did, and what you said, I will never forget, but I'm willing to forgive it for the sake of our friendship. I mean it when I say I don't want to hear a word about Jolie again because the next time I won't be so forgiving. As for the drugs..."

"I'm going to therapy. I'm clean, man, and I'm going to stay that way. I want what you have; I want a good girl, a good life. I can't keep living like I'm a teenager, I know that now. I'm sorry for everything. Are we cool?"

If people assume I have a soft heart, let it also be known that I only mend fences because I know why it is they were put up. Friends come and go, but I knew deep down Andy was a good guy, so I was going to give him another chance.

I shook his hand, nodding my head.

"We're cool."