Sailor
“I’m impressed. You brought Jake here, and you’re talking about staying with your parents,” Carrie says with a grin.
“How are you this happy after losing everything you own?”
Pulling her purse up over her shoulder, she shrugs.
“I feel it’s a sign that I’m supposed to start a new chapter in my life.”
“Ah, a life in Hawaii.” I look down at the sidewalk.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t plan for this to happen so soon.”
“I know, and I see how now’s a good time for you to go.”
“I imagine I’ll be staying with my parents for at least a week or two if you change your mind and want to come.”
“I’m sure I can crash at my parents. If not, I’ll stay at a hotel until I find housing.”
“Do you want me to give you a ride to their building?”
“No. I think I’ll go back to school. My kids are probably stressed out since I up and left.”
“I think you’ll stress them out more if you go back today. No offense, but you’re looking rough.”
“Great. Just what I want to hear when the cute guy who brought me here is walking back toward us.” I wipe under my eyes, trying to remove my smeared mascara. “He probably wonders if I’m always a basket case.”
“I think you have a right to be sad today.”
“Hi,” I say to him as he strolls up. “Would you mind driving me back to the school? Carrie’s leaving for Boston to stay with her family.”
“Not at all. Carrie, I’m sorry again about your place and your belongings. It looks like it was a total loss.”
“Thank you, and I figured as much. I believe this was a sign to help me with a decision I’ve been trying to make. I would’ve preferred to keep my fine handbags and shoes while making that decision, but everything happens for a reason, right?”
“I don’t know about that, but I’ll go along with you for today.” He flashes her a smile, but this one doesn’t reach his eyes, which display a touch of sadness.
I give Carrie one last hug before I walk with Jake back to his car.
“A penguin, huh? Of all the things she could’ve grabbed for you, she thought that was the most important item?”
“It is the most important item.”
“Look, maybe it’s not my place to give advice, but I don’t think you should go back to work today.”
“That’s what Carrie said, too. I guess I could go to my parents’ home, but I still need my vehicle from the school.”
We’re quiet the rest of the way to his car. Once we’re inside, I set my penguin in my lap and pull my phone out of my purse to call my mom.
God, I can’t believe I’m doing this, but maybe the fire was a sign for me, too. I mean, it’s weird how it happened right after the talk Carrie and I had yesterday.
I don’t have to bring up the past with my parents. I could simply try to get comfortable around them first. Here goes…
“Sailor, is that you?” my mother asks after answering on the second ring. She sounds shocked by my call, and I never know if her surprised responses are sincere or to guilt me.
“Yes, Mom, it’s me.”
“How are you?”
“Not well. My apartment burned down this morning.”
“Oh, my god. Are you all right?”
“Yes, I wasn’t home at the time, and Carrie’s OK, too. I was wondering if you’d mind if I came to stay with you for a few days.”
“Oh, it figures you’d finally want to stay with us.”
“What does that mean?” I glance to Jake, worried he might’ve heard her irritated tone.
“Your father and I arrived in Paris yesterday. We’ll be in Europe for a month.”
“Oh, OK.”
“You’re welcome to stay at the penthouse, though. Ramona’s only coming over twice while we’re gone, so you’ll have to fend for yourself with meals and cleaning.”
“I’ve been doing that for years now, but since you’re away, I’ll probably go to a hotel. There’s no sense in staying in your enormous place alone.”
“Well, in case you change your mind, I’ll text you the code to the alarm system, and I’ll notify the doormen.”
“Thank you, Mom. Tell Dad hello for me.”
“I will, sweetheart, and you know, Sailor, this might be a perfect time for you to move back where you belong, on the Upper East Side. Think about it, and I love you, dear.”
I roll my eyes. “I love you, too.”
Ending the call, I lean my head back against the seat.
“I couldn’t help but hear the hotel part. You don’t have anyone else you can stay with?”
“No. I don’t have any close friends besides Carrie, and I have little to do with my family. My parents left for Europe for a month, but I don’t want to stay at their place alone.”
Jake rubs the back of his neck before he white-knuckles the steering wheel. I make note of the traffic, but it’s not too bad mid-morning, so I’m not sure what’s up with him.
“Come stay at my place for the weekend, and once you’ve got a clear head, you can decide what to do next. I have an extra bedroom. I do have a roommate, but he’s working until Sunday.”
Each time he glances over at me, I try to gauge from his expression if he’s serious.
“I have plenty of money for a hotel, but thank you for offering.”
“I didn’t assume money was an issue, but from what you said about your parents’ home, and after seeing how you clung to your friend back there, I get the impression you don’t want to be alone.”
Turning my head away from him, I stare out the passenger window.
“I’m used to it.”
“There’s a difference between being used to it and wanting to be.”
“Did your detective skills make you this perceptive and persistent?”
“Probably. I will say you’re the first chick to ever call me perceptive. That was a compliment, considering how bad my ADD is.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, why did you stop taking medication?”
“I didn’t like the way it made me feel in every other way. So, are you going to stay at my place?”
“I don’t know. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Nope. I have no plans unless someone bites the dust. I’m a homicide detective for the sixth precinct.”
“Interesting.”
“I’m sorry. That was insensitive of me to say. I guess I’m a bit desensitized from the job.”
“I imagine you’d have to detach so as not to lose your mind.”
“You nailed it. Look, I promise to give you space, but if that’s not what you want, I’ve been told I’m a lot of fun.”
“Um … OK.”
“Wait, no, I wasn’t talking about that kind of fun. I mean, I have been told I’m good at that, too, but it’s not what I meant. What I was trying to say is I’m good at lifting people’s spirits.
“I even have alcohol, Lucky Charms and a hot tub.” Glancing over, he gives me one of his boyish grins. “I’m that damn cool. Maddie thinks so, anyway.”
“Yes, I sense how fond she is of her Uncle Jake.”
“What do you say?”
“Today’s proving to be about change, so why not? What could a little more hurt?”