The Date Planner

2. 5. List It Out

You would think the days after that would be smooth for me.

But no, they weren't.

From taking care of mom to avoiding Justine and her devil-of-a-kid, Cole. It wasn't easy, especially if you put work in the mix.

Meetings, appointments, clients didn't care about who I was and if I was transitioning back to the American lifestyle. They only cared about work.

Were it not for Ben, I would've been roadkill by now.

Two weeks of work. With mom's incessant bickering and Justine's to-and-fro comings and goings.

Honestly, I have no idea what's going on in her head. Either of them.

Mom wants to drive me mad and Justine won't stop staring at me.

I've been giving the latter a bit of a cold-shoulder. But I will definitely snap at her if she doesn't stop looking at me.

Lately, Justine has been visiting us every day in the morning before I leave for work.

I don't speak to her or acknowledge her presence because it's easier that way yet it pains me all the same.

She doesn't stop staring at me though. Her gaze ever faltering, narrowed and full of curiosity. I know she wants to know what's up with me.

I know bringing Cole to his grandma is just an excuse every day. I don't know if it relieves me that she wants to know more or it makes things even more complicated for us.

During lunch, I share it with Ben whose only dilemma is 'what the fuck is wrong with you two'.

"Look, I don't understand why you are avoiding her but she definitely doesn't want you too. And if you keep up this act, she will confront you head on at some point. What will you tell her then? That it was easy?", he scoffs.

"You can do better than that", he points at me before indulging into his fries.

"You don't think I know that?", I accuse him and sigh, looking away.

We're sitting in a Cafe outside the office, in a booth beside the glass wall, that overlooks the sidewalk.

After a frustrated 'hmph', I carry on when he doesn't answer me.

"She's changed, Ben. I don't know this, Justine. She looks alot more put together than I left her. Heck, she didn't even want to see my face back then. How do you suppose that's changed?", ask more to myself than to him.

Ben sighs as he looks at me finally leaving his fries for a second.

"Look, you won't know until you talk to her, okay? Talk to her", He emphasizes.

I nod at him, absently. Still thinking everything over.

Next morning, I'm about to head out for work when I'm stopped by none other than Justine herself.

"Jason?", she lets out hesitantly.

I turn around a little stiffly as I realize how quite everything has become in the foyer suddenly.

"Yes?"

That's when I notice little Cole beside her, looking at his shoes as if he wants to disappear.

"Cole wants to say something to you"

She looks at Cole, expecting him to say.

"Come on, Cole. You can do it", she whispers at him, bending to his face him.

He nods at her meekly, not sure why he's here or it seems to me. I can't help but bite my lip from smiling at how adorable the devil looks, uncertain.