Love Thy Neighbor

Chapter 16

Shawn is gone the following ten days. He has travelled all the way to Australia and New Zealand to perform at several festivals. It's summer there and I'm envious that he's soaking up the sun on the beach between performances. He sends me pictures daily. He's getting tan while I am trying to avoid frostbite.

The first single from his fourth album is scheduled to drop in January. His first three albums had all been successful, but he's told me that he has higher expectations for the fourth since he's taken more time to produce it, and because it's his first album made after graduating from being a teenager.

"I hated being called 'teen pop sensation Shawn Mendes'," he had told me on one of our nights by the Christmas tree. "I want to just be Shawn Mendes. Not a former Viner, not a former member of MAGCON, not a kid."

On another night he'd told me how he took his craft very seriously. He wanted to have hits, but more importantly, he wanted to write songs that spoke to people. He wanted to tell stories people could relate to.

I'd assumed he'd risen to fame because of his gorgeous face, endless charm, and friendly demeanor. And some catchy songs, of course. Turns out he worked his ass off for all that he had. While I was at work, he'd spend the entire day composing songs, working on his guitar skills, working with his team on upcoming events, and of course the new album. It was recorded at this point. His first single was selected and promos were in full swing. After the new year he was traveling to Europe to do dozens of radio station visits to promote the song overseas. He'd do the same in North America when he got back. I think he'd mentioned going to Asia in the spring, but maybe that was for the release of the second single. It was all kind of a blur to me.

While Shawn is gone I focus on work and make a point to hang with Liz and Jules. Liz had told me on the phone that she thought Jules was seeing someone and keeping it a secret. After several glasses of wine at my condo, Liz and I try to get it out of her.

"Just tell us!" Liz yells. "Jess and I can tell something is going on with you. You are always busy and you leave us both on read when we text you. Your job can not possibly be that consuming. You are an art gallery manager!"

Jules just shakes her head.

I try next. "Why are you being so secretive? Is he a spy? Is it Justin Trudeau?"

She laughs nervously but just shakes her head again. "I promise I will share when I am ready."

This really isn't new for her. She's always kept things like this to herself. She once told me she was superstitious and afraid of jinxing things.

Liz and I give up. This stinks because the focus turns to me.

"Just how serious are you and your famous boyfriend?" Liz asks after pouring more chardonnay.

"First off, he's not my boyfriend. We're dating. It's casual." I take a long swig of wine. "Secondly, I'm not sharing if Jules doesn't."

That ends that line of conversation.

The next day I call my mom to work out our plans for Hanukkah, which is from December 22nd to the 30th this year. I don't have full days off, other than Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which are a Tuesday and Wednesday. I will be allowed to get off early all the other days of Hanukkah since I need to be home by sunset, provided I go in earlier. We finally decide that my family will come to my place after Christmas. Their schedules are more flexible, and I won't have to lose time for traveling. I'll have to celebrate the first half of Hanukkah away from them, but my mom promises to send me a menorah for my condo. I can handle the nightly ritual on my own. My family will be together for the final days. The last day has always been especially important in my family, so this pleases me.