“Don’t thank me yet, dear. There’s more to come,” Wendi promises, reaching into her gigantic bag again. I’m afraid she’s going to pull out a matching hoodie, but she doesn’t. She piles a fat stack of binders on the table in front of me. Before I can even guess what they are, she’s clapping again.
“I brought Will’s baby albums! Not all of them, of course, that would have been ridiculous. Just a few so you can see how cute Willie was!”
I’m biting my cheek to keep from laughing, Wes is rolling his eyes, and all I can think is that I wish Will were here laughing and smiling right along with me.
39
Mel
Last night was perfect, and that sucks.
I got caught up in the moment, and when his dad asked if I was coming home with Will for Christmas, I said I’d check my calendar to find a good time to visit. And I meant every word of it. But that’s crazy. We’re not actually dating, even if it really feels like we are. And we agreed that this would end when I graduate in December, which means no Christmas in Ohio for me. That shouldn’t make me sad, but it does. It really does.
Will’s parents are fantastic, and his little brother is a hoot, and I spent a total of five hours with them and it wasn’t nearly enough. I’m ninety percent sure Wendi ordered me a pair of pajamas that match the rest of the family for their Christmas card photo.
But I won’t be there. Because this is fake. And even if I didn’t want it to be fake anymore, and even if I could be sure that Will is feeling what I’m feeling, we’d never work out as a couple. We’re in different places in our lives. Will has most of his college career ahead of him, and I have most of mine behind me.
In less than two months, I’ll be walking across the stage to receive my diploma. And then, if all goes to plan, I’ll be moving to start a job with an accounting firm in D.C.
For now, though, I’m still a college student and intern, which is why I’m at the senior center on a Saturday. My practicum only requires me to report on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but when Glenna said they were short on volunteers for the chili cook-off, I put my name on the list. The Hookers have been talking about this event for weeks, and I was afraid if they didn’t get enough volunteers, they’d have to call the whole thing off. Apparently, it’s a long-standing tradition and a fundraiser for the community center as a whole, and without it, there’s a big chunk missing from the senior center budget. I’m not going to have that on my conscience.
Not that I’ll be around to know it, but still. Even when I’m off in D.C., working sixty-hour weeks at a big-name firm, I’ll still wish only good things for the senior center. I can’t believe it’s true, but I really am enjoying my time here. Maybe I’ll become a monthly donor, once I start earning a real paycheck; or I could even come back to work events like this. Volunteerism looks good on a resume, and some larger firms actually encourage their employees to donate their time to nonprofits.
The fact is that I’m leaving soon, and that’s part of the reason Will and I would never work in real life. But Josie’s not having it. She’s blowing up my phone with her protests, which is a little unfair, considering her aversion to dating.
Josie: You’re being stubborn.
Mel: And your point is?
Josie: My point is that Will makes you happy. Mel, I’ve known you since freshman year, and you have never been this content.
Mel: You aren’t listening to me. It won’t work.
Josie: I’m listening to everything you say. And I’m also listening to all the things you’re not saying.
Mel: That makes zero sense.
Josie: It makes so much sense. But let’s not get sidetracked. You had a great night out with his parents and little brother. That’s a win, Mel. Enjoy it. Bask in its glow.
Mel: You are so weird.
Mel: Also, how can I enjoy it? Did I have fun? Yes, tons. But every time Wendi talked about the future and the holidays I felt like a lying scumbag. Because that’s what I am. These people welcomed me into the family—she made me a tee that saidFranconetti’s #1 Fan. And what did I do? Lied to their faces.
Josie: So stop lying. You want more, and Will’s besotted with you. Just make it official.
Mel:besotted? That is not a word. At least, not in this century.
Josie: It really is. And it perfectly describes the way Will looks at you. All I’m saying is, give it a chance. What’s the worst that could happen?
Mel: Do you really want me to answer that?
Josie: Yes, actually…
Mel: It’s temporary. That’s all it was ever meant to be. Besides, look at my track record. I’m in no hurry to rush back into a relationship. Plus, I’m not even looking for love. Or lust. Just a good time, and that’s what I’ve found. So, I’m going to enjoy it until it runs its course.
Josie: You’re killing me here, Mel. Looking at the two of you together is enough to give me a cavity. You’re perfect for each other, and we can all see it. Why won’t you let your guard down and give it a chance?
Mel: Do you hear yourself? Because I love the hell out of you, Jos, but I could say the same to you…
