Jeannie's ringing cell phone roused her from the deepest sleep she'd had in months. At first she forgot where she was as her eyes fixed on the glowing screen and the name Rebecca. "Hello?" She sniffled, and wondered if she'd been crying in her sleep.
"Where are you––I'll come pick you up!" Rebecca sounded freaked.
Not sensing any danger, Jeannie sat upright and stared around the darkened room. Jimmy's place. The sight of the car crash flashed into her mind and she shuddered. She'd come within inches of death earlier this afternoon and she recalled some of the terror she'd felt, though it was more distant now, as if she'd seen it on a screen or happening to somebody else. The smell of his hoodie soothed her, though worry gnawed at her insides. He was probably safe at work or out with Frank someplace. This was the usual time for his shift, now that she thought about it. He often left his phone behind. She could call the restaurant, but he was probably busy. And he might slam the phone down on her. Hanging up on someone's a lot easier than slamming a door in a person's face.
"Honey. You okay?"
"I'm fine." She didn't want to admit she was here, but she didn't want to find her way home on her own, either. "I'm at Jimmy's. Alone. But please, don't ask why right now."
"I'll be there in five," Rebecca said.
Jeannie sank back down into the easy chair, the velvet soft on her cheek. She cradled the phone to her chest, feeling the heartache of Jimmy's absence right when she needed him more than anything else in the world. They'd been so close once upon a time. Maybe, just maybe, they could be once more. So long as she learned to be less stupid around him.