17
Jess
Don’t waste another someday.
His words ring like truth in my soul, speaking with an honesty I never afford myself. I don’t want to waste my life, but isn’t that what I’ve been doing this entire time? Have I only masked my decisions with survival when really they’re based in complacency and a fear of failure? Even more unsettling is Sean’s ability to see through the bullcrap I feed myself. The same talk that keeps me from striving for anything more than merely gettingby.
My questions are cut off by the vibration of his phone in my hands. I glance at my lap, and his caller ID scrolls across the screen with the words ‘Mom & Dad.’ “Um, your parents arecalling.”
“Do you mind?” He glances at me and then the screen. “They won’t stop calling until I pickup.”
“Yes, of course. Here.” I move to hand him the cell but he shakes his headno.
“I got it.” He clicks a button on the dash and the speakers amplify with the static of the line. “Hello,” hesays.
“Sean, how’s my favorite son?” A man’s voice booms through thespeakers.
Sean adjusts the volume and rolls his eyes. “I’m your only son,Dad.”
“Yeah, I guess so. Hey, I wanted to make sure you were okay. After we talked lastweek—”
“Dad, I have you on speaker. I’m driving. My friend Jess is here,too.”
“Hi, Mr. Willis,” I offer lamely, because I’m not sure of the proper protocol. Sean obviously didn’t want his father to share details of their earlier conversation. Even though he’s the one who took the call on speaker, it feels as though I’m intruding on somethingprivate.
“Jess! Hi. I’ve heard so much aboutyou.”
So much?I glance at Sean and he laughs a little sheepishly when he catches my stare. “Come on, Dad. Don’t embarrassher.”
“What? I’m not allowed to talk to my son’sfriends?”
Friend.Yeah, of course that’s why he told his father about me. That, and I’m connected to the band through Coy. I don’t know why I suspected it would be anything more, and shake the thought from myhead.
“By all means.” Sean rolls his eyes but I can tell he’s not really that annoyed. He must have a good relationship with his father. I wonder what that’s like.Truly.
“Is my son behaving himself, Jess? He’s not getting into too much trouble thesedays?”
“He’s the perfect gentleman, Mr.Willis.”
“You can call me Terry, unless you want to call meDad.”
“Dad!” Sean turns to me and mouths, “Sorry.”
“What? I like this girl. I’m just saying I wouldn’t be opposed toit.”
“I’m hanging up now, unless there was something else youneeded?”
“No, just calling to see how things were holding up. Call me when you have time tochat.”
“Thanks,Dad.”
“You two have a good time off to wherever you are going!” Terrysays.
It strikes me funny because we aren’t out for fun, as enjoyable as this ride has been, and a giggle escapes mylips.
Sean presses his lips together and makes a point of rolling his eyes as he shakes his head at his father’s words. “We’re going torehab.”
“Just to visit, I hope.” His dad’s sharp inhale causes Sean to roll his eyesagain.
