And that’s the abbreviated version. The whole truth is even uglier than that. The real truth, the truth about when he came home, I don’t like to think about. After Nana died, I got as far away from him and West Virginia as I could get. If I never see him or that town again, it’ll be too soon. Just talking about it makes me break out in a cold sweat.
“Well, that’s his loss then.” Hailey nods and sits next to Jenny. “You have every right to not trust assholes. Take your time and get over it in your own way. Don’t let anyone try to force you into anything you’re not ready for.”
Exactly. At least someone gets it.
“We’re talking about Hutch,” Christa says. “He’s not an asshole who cheats.”
“No, but he doesn’t really have girlfriends either,” Hailey points out. “He tends to go out with a girl a few times and then moves on.”
See? I’m right not to get attached.
“Have you ever seen him feed one of his dates?”
She arches a brow. “I’m sure he feeds them when he takes them to dinner.”
“I’m not talking about that.” Jenny gets up and gets her own bottle of water. “He makes sure Daisy eats first, before he feeds himself and is always checking to make sure she’s eaten if he’s not with her. He called me today to have me make sure she eats while he’s gone.”
“That’s completely different then.” Hailey tilts her head thoughtfully. “Most guys I know wouldn’t do that. My own boyfriend doesn’t do that.”
Nana always told me if I found a man who cared enough to make sure I ate, then he was a keeper. Joseph never did that. Gran always disliked my high school boyfriend. Maybe she saw his selfishness when I was too blinded by love. Hutch appears to be anything but selfish. But I don’t think I’m ready to risk another relationship so soon after the disaster of my last breakup. I’m too raw, especially after losing Nana and having to sell the house to pay off debts and hospital bills Medicare didn’t cover.
“Are we going out to eat or what?” Hailey asks.
“Well, there’s that new soul food place…”
“What?” Christa asks at Hailey’s skeptical expression.
“I don’t think it’s any good.”
“Why not?”
“Because,” Hailey flips her long hair over her shoulder, “the online reviews are awful.”
At least one of them had enough sense to check out the reviews.
“But Manny…”
“Is an idiot without taste buds,” Hailey cuts Jenny off.
“How about I cook and we just stay in and watch a movie.”
Now that got their attention.
“Do you feel well enough to cook?” Jenny doesn’t look like she believes me.
“I will once I get a nap.”
“Oh, nap…I’m all in on a nap.”
“Tell you what, let me nap and you girls go get the groceries I need to make fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and I’ll do a tomato salad with a fresh apple cobbler for desert.”
“I’ve never had a tomato salad.” Hailey looks intrigued. Lots of people don’t eat the same foods I grew up on.
“I’ll make list of what we need and you can try it when it’s done. Deal?”
“You want to cook, I’ll eat all day.” Christa yawns and then goes over to where her purse is. “Twenty each should cover everything, yeah?”
“Should be more than enough,” I agree and go upstairs to fetch money out of my backpack. Going out is something I’m not up for, but cooking a very simple meal and watching Netflix? I can do that.
