Jess ignored the voice the first time he heard it. Well, half ignored, half wasn’t paying attention.
He’d woken up that morning in an uncomfortable position on the floor, his upper body resting on Lindsay’s bed, one hand twined in hers. Remembering the previous night, he quickly disengaged himself from her grasp and slipped out of the room, where he collided with Jimmy.
“Oomph!”
Jimmy raised his eyebrows. “My, aren’t we up early.”
“Shut it, Jimmy.”
“Touchy.” Jimmy followed him out into the kitchen. “Is there a fire?”
“Go to hell.”
Jess grabbed the coffee pot and began filling it with water. He hadn’t touched a drop of liquor since the day Lindsay came home. Instead, he was becoming a regular Lorelai Gilmore, drinking large cups of black coffee as often as he could.
“Sasha needs you to pick up some things for her.”
Jess paused. He wanted to lash out again, but it really wasn’t Jimmy’s fault that he was in such a foul mood. “What?”
“She left a list.” Jimmy handed it to him. “She promised me there wasn’t anything girly on it. I was supposed to get to the grocery store for her, but there’s a problem down at the stand and I really have to get down there.”
Jess nodded. “Fine,” he grunted, watching the coffee pot slowly fill with dark liquid.
Glancing at the pot, Jimmy grimaced. “Did you put any water in that?”
Jess scowled at him.
“Okay, okay, I’m leaving.” Jimmy held up his hands in surrender. “Lily’s at the day camp today, make sure Lindsay’s going to be around when the bus drops her off if you aren’t.” With that, Jimmy exited the house.
Jess poured himself a cup of the thick liquid. He didn’t even like coffee that much, but he needed something, and it was the only thing he was willing to do for a buzz of some sort. He wasn’t sleeping much these days, just lying there on the couch, wondering if Lindsay was going to be okay.
“Jess?”
He looked up to find Lindsay hovering in the doorway, outfitted in a pair of baggy jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt, both of which had been confiscated from his suitcase several weeks ago. He wasn’t sure why she wanted to wear his old clothes, but at the same time, he wasn’t about to mention it. Instead, he borrowed some cash from Jimmy and bought a few new things from a cheap vendor on the boardwalk.
It was easier not to question her eccentricities, the last thing he wanted to do was upset her.
“Yeah?”
“Can you get some goat cheese at the store?”
Jess nodded.
“And chocolate milk.”
Okie-dokey. He wasn’t going to question that one either. Heck, at least she was eating.
***
“I heard about your friend.”
Jess continued piling items on the conveyer belt. He had absolutely no desire to talk to her, and hoped that if he ignored her, she’d take the hint and go away.
Astrid wasn’t that smart. “I’m really sorry.”
Gritting his teeth, Jess set the carton of chocolate milk down and pulled out his wallet, retrieving the money Sasha had left for the groceries.
He knew he should have gone to the store in Marina Del Rey.
“Jess, I-“ She made the mistake of reaching out to touch Jess’ sleeve.
He snatched his arm away. “Get the hell away from me.”
Astrid blinked. “I’m so sorry, Jess,” she whispered. “I didn’t know any of those people. They were all my cousin’s friends. I swear, if I’d thought there was any danger…”
“In case you hadn’t noticed, I don’t want to talk to you.” Jess took a step closer to her, his voice rising with each word. He gritted his teeth, trying not to lose what little control over his temper he had left.
“I wish I’d-“
Jess handed the cashier the entire stack of bills in his hand. “Keep the change,” he muttered, grabbing his bags and making a hasty exit.
***
When Jess got back to the house, grocery bags in hand, he heard a very strange noise coming from inside.
Laughter.
He sighed, wondering how many of Lily’s friends she had talked Lindsay into letting her have over. He pushed the screen door open and went into the kitchen to put the perishables in the fridge.
More laughter.
Jess put the remaining items on the counter and prepared to have to shoo away several of Lily’s day camp friends as he stepped into the living room.
Where he froze.
Lily hadn’t invited any friends over. Instead, she was sitting on the couch next to Lindsay. The two of them were watching some ridiculously unrealistic movie starring the Olsen Twins.
And Lindsay was laughing.
Smiling.
He hadn’t seen her smile since the party.
Later that night, he pulled Lily aside and hugged her spontaneously.
She frowned. “What the heck was that about?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?” Lily still looked suspicious and confused.
“For this afternoon.”
“Oh.” Lily smiled. “I just wanted Lindsay to be happy again. I missed seeing her smile.”
Jess closed his eyes.
So had he.