Opposite of Always(46)

“I see.”

“He’ll be back for dinner. Did you need something?”

“No,” I say. “Not really.”

Mom slips her glasses off, but keeps them in her hand, which is something she does when she’s about to say something important. “With all that Franny’s going through, Dad and I thought it might be nice if Dad offered Franny help with prom stuff. Franny seemed really excited.”

“I bet he did.” I know I shouldn’t be jealous. I mean, my parents have been asking me to spend more time with them, but I’ve spent most of my free time with Kate. That’s not their fault, or Franny’s, for that matter, but still— “What does that mean, Jack?”

“Nothing.”

She stares at me. “How’s Kate?”

“She’s good.”

“Yeah? You two going strong?”

“Strong enough.”

“Prom’s coming up fast. You gonna be ready?”

“I was thinking you might wanna go with me to the florist? Help me pick out a corsage for her?”

“Aw, sweetie, I would love to,” Mom says. “Only things are really tight right now with the store and planning this anniversary party and . . . I really want to help you. Franny asked me to go with him. We can all go together. It’ll be fun.”

I wave her off. “No, it’s cool. You should probably just stick to your original plan. I don’t wanna mess you guys up.”

“Jackie, don’t be like that. How about you and I . . .”

I manage a smile. “Don’t sweat it, Mom. I totally understand. I should be able to pick out a silly flower by myself, anyway. No biggie.” I kiss her cheek, then quickly turn away and pretend I’m busy looking for something in the cabinets, because something weird is happening to my eyes, to my nasal passages. They’re getting wet.

“You sure something else isn’t bothering you?” Mom asks.

“Yeah,” I say. I discreetly wipe my eyes, my nose, before turning around to face her again. “I’m sure.”

She opens her mouth to say something, but I’m already hurtling out the kitchen for upstairs.

So, let’s recap: everything not named Kate has changed for the worse, and I’m to blame.

All this time I thought I was supposed to save Kate. Maybe it’s me who needs saving.

Franny’s dad gets ninety days in county for disturbing the peace.

Which is utter BS.

Evidently, the Quickie Mart store owner was under the impression that The Coupon had no intention of paying for his rocky road ice cream.

Told The Coupon he wasn’t welcome in the store.

To which The Coupon did not take kindly.

The Coupon decided to take his time browsing, looking at stuff he had no intention of buying, because that was his right, same as anyone else’s.

Finally set his ice cream atop the counter, waited for the man to ring him up.

The owner wasn’t having it. Ordered him out.

What’s your problem, The Coupon said.

You’re the problem, and people like you, the owner shouted. Now get out of my store!

People like me, The Coupon repeated. People. Like. Me. Felt a whoop-ass rage bound through his body. He’d never been the Let Things Slide type. But he thought of his mom, his son, waiting for ice cream. Somewhat composed himself. Picked up the register scanner, aimed it at the barcode on the side of the carton, looked at the price, rounded up for tax. Tossed his money, snatched a plastic grocery bag from the counter, plunked his ice cream into it, and headed for the door.

Only he wouldn’t get far.

The store owner’s wife had already called the police.

And as luck would have it, there was a cruiser not a block away from the store.

And, well—

You’ve seen this scene before.

You write the rest if you want.





How to Come Home


What’s scary is that you can drift and not realize it. The oncoming car feverishly flashing its lights, blaring its horn, as you float dangerously left of center. The thing you hope for is that when you finally open your eyes, it’s not too late.

“Jackie, dinner,” Mom calls up the stairs.

When I get to the table, there are two extra place settings, and Dad’s ushering in Franny and Jillian.

I look at Mom and she nods, as if to say, It’s time, Jackie.

Dinner is awkward at first. Namely, because Franny’s playing Avoid Eye Contact with Jack at All Costs, and he’s awesome at it.

“How’s French?” I ask Jillian.

She laughs. “Hate to say it, but not the same without you.”

My heart swells. “I hate that you hate to say it, but I totally get it. I lost myself for a while.”

“Yeah, you did,” Franny agrees.

“Well, I’m sorry. You guys deserve better. Have always given me better. I owe everyone here an apology. I think it’s just that I’d finally gotten what I’d always wanted, what I saw my two best friends have, and what my parents have, being so wonderfully intertwined with someone else, so cosmically tangled that you have no idea where they start and you end.”

Jillian bites her lip. “That’s beautiful, J. And that’s what we’ve always wanted for you, too. Franny and I wanna see you happy. You deserve to feel loved, to be loved. Which is why we have tried to be understanding. Why we’ve tried to give you your space.”