Page 55 of Before We Were Us
“Naomi and I were out to dinner,” she explains. “A little girls’ night away from our husbands and she was in the bathroom of the restaurant.” She continues on like it's no big deal. “I walked in, Na was already talking to her, it was a little awkward at first. Not really a place to have a meet and greet. But we chatted.”
"About what?” I know how my sisters are. They are both pushy when they are seeking information.
“It was brief.” She nibbles on her lip and I know there is more. “However, I did make sure she knew just how amazing my brother truly is.”
“Jen.” It wouldn’t be like her if she didn’t give a little shove.
“What?” She fakes innocence. “I didn’t go over the top, just a little nudge is all.”
“I know what your nudges feel like.” Again she acts like she has no clue what I could be talking about. “You shove, kick, tackle, and push shit off the cliff.”
All Jenna gives me in return is a roll of her eyes, because she knows it's true.
“When was this little introduction?”
She wrinkles her nose like she’s thinking it through. “A week or more ago.”
It was before Brynn and I had our little talk. “Your nudge didn’t work, by the way.”
“What do you mean?” she asks.
“I mean she stopped by my place out of the blue a couple days ago, after she had an encounter with Chrissy. Finally, offering me a chance to explain everything."
“Yeah.” The little burst of excitement makes me chuckle.
“Yeah.” I love my sister, something fierce. I know she wants me to be happy.
“So?” She holds her hands out, waving them as if to say tell more.
“So nothing.” Her brows furrow and her eyes squint. “She left telling me that she thinks we both need to take a little time.”
I’m met with silence.
“So I figure that was her giving me the kindest brush-off she could offer.”
“You don’t know that.” Jenna is always looking for the good.
“No, I don’t know,” I tell her, forcing a smile. “But I felt it.”
Again she is silent and I lift my beer to take a drink. I can hear Naomi and my mother banging around in the kitchen. The aromas float through the house, and it smells amazing, but my appetite isn't there.
“Wait,” Jenna interrupts the silence. “What do you mean she had an encounter with Chrissy?” It took her this long for that detail to click.
“She didn’t give me too many details, just that Chrissy accosted her and called her a slut.”
My sister's eyes narrow with irritation. “You need to get a restraining order against her.”
"For what, because she went at someone I was seeing?” She’s been careful not to harass me. In fact every time she sees me she pretends to love me and miss me. It’s all a game. “Brynn would have to get one and she’s too stubborn, she’d rather stand up to her.”
“I really like this Brynn girl.”
“Me too, Jen,” I more than like her, “me too.”
“I hate seeing you like this.” Jenna watches me with sadness in her eyes.
“I’ll get through it.” I nudge her with my foot.
“But you shouldn’t have to, Jensen. I can’t stand the fact that Chrissy is doing this to you. I have half a mind to go over to your house and drag her out by her hair kicking and screaming.”