Jacob’s Girl

Eventful Day

“Rough day’” Ashley asked, giving me a once-over as I in, looking like a zombie in need of caffeine.

“You have no idea,” I groaned, unloading my bag and collapsing onto the bed like a deflated balloon.

“Believe me, I do,” Ashley chimed in, her voice muffled by the bedspread. She was in full zombie mode too, but her fingers were on a marathon race across her phone screen.

“This i********: guy I’ve been chatting with? Total jerk. He’s got a girlfriend. I was like one foot in the romantic pit and now I have to backflip out of it.”

I decided to share my disaster. “Ethan made a surprise appearance.”

“Wait, wait, wait. Ethan? Your Ethan? The Ethan who should’ve been naked ‘The Ghost’? That Ethan?”

I had her full attention now. Her phone was abandoned like last season’s fashion as she stared at me with wide, shocked eyes.

“Yep, that Ethan,” I confirmed, half-expecting Ashley’s eyes to pop out like in cartoons.

“How in the world? How did he track you down? Did he learn black magic?”

Ashley was on a roll with her theories, her voice rising with every question. I could practically hear the wheels spinning in her head.

“I don’t know, he just… appeared,” I stammered feeling like I was the lead actress in a telenovela.

And then it hit me. My mother. She has a knack for playing Cupid when I least expect it.

I jumped off the bed like I’d been stung by a bee, grabbed my phone, and dialed my mom’s number with a fury.

Ringing, ringing, and just when I was about to lose hope, she picked up, probably hearing the urgency in my dial tone.

“Eliza,” her voice came through like a tiny mouse whispering.

“Hey Mom”

“I’m juggling dinner here, dear.”

“No worries, just a quick question. Any calls for me?”

A clatter of dishes created a symphony in the background, followed by a pause. “Hmm, actually, your boyfriend Ethan called. He claimed he lost your number and I gave it to him.”

Aha! I had my suspicions confirmed.

“Mom, we’ve been over this. Ethan and I broke up. It’s not happening again. How many times must I repeat that?”

“Eliza, dear, he’s a good man. He explained things to me. I thought you two worked things out. You should be grateful he wants to make things right. He loves you.”

I rolled my eyes, mentally wishing I had a rewind button for this conversation. My mom had this whole “men are kings” perspective. She believed women should serve them even if they’re as shady as Ethan. She bought into his manipulation tactics, his sweet talk that’s as genuine as a plastic coin.

‘A half bread is better than none, ‘she’d say.

And every time, I’d nod in agreement, ending up stuck with Ethan till I couldn’t take it anymore. But I was so done.

“June!” an angry voice erupted from her end, almost blasting my eardrums. If I didn’t know better…

It was Steve, my stepdad, a man I’d rather send to a deserted Island. His voice was like a volcano, always ready to explode. I never liked him - abusive and bossy - a true package Joy, not.

“I’m starving here, and you’re yapping on the phone!”

“It’s Ellie. I’m… sorry,” she stammered.

“Eli I have to go.” A resigned sigh escaped my lips. “Sure, Mom.”

And some things never change.

“Ugh!” I groaned theatrically, flopping backward onto my bed with all the energy of a sloth on vacation. Could life be any more entertaining?

The issues I sprinted away from, hoping for a fresh start and some semblance of sanity, seemed to have an uncanny ability to boomerang right back into my life. I had a grand plan to redefine my life, separate from my mom’s drama, but it seemed like destiny was having a field day toying with me.

“Did she?” Ashely asked, not expecting a different answer.

I let out a sigh and let my phone drop onto my lap.

“Who else but my dear mom? What’s her deal? I’ve said a million times - I’m done with Ethan.”

My wrist ached, and I rubbed it absentmindedly, I was mad - mad at my mom, mad at Ethan, and mad at myself for being caught in this endless loop of nonsense.

“Well, Eli, you seriously need to stand up to this guy. Seriously, who does he think he is?” Ashley’s voice was all righteous indignation.

I looked at her with a mix of helplessness and frustration. “What am I supposed to do? I told him it was over, but here he is, showing up at my work and almost getting me fired.”

“I’m sorry, but you really should consider reporting him and getting a restraining order.”

As I replayed the events of today in my head, my thoughts drifted to the mystery man who swooped in to save me from Ethan’s insanity. The silver lining in today’s cloud.

“Speaking of which, there was this really attractive guy who stepped in and rescued me.”

Ashley sat up and leaned in, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “ Ooooh, an attractive knight in shining armor, you say? Spill the details, lady!”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Unfortunately, I don’t know his name. He confronted Ethan, and that’s when He took off.”

“So you didn’t talk to him?”

“No, he left before I could thank him.”

“From the way you’re talking about him, it sounds like you kinda like him.”

I shook my head firmly. “Nope, not even close.”

Ashley’s teasing persisted. “Yup, you do.”

“No, Ash, seriously, he’s tall and handsome, but I’m not his type. Besides, he probably looked at me and thought, ‘Wow, what a train wreck of a dating history.”

“Oh, come on, Eli! You’re gorgeous! Stop selling yourself short.”

I sighed. “Honestly, Ash, you should see him. Trust me, I’m not even on his radar.”

“Tell me about him! What does he look like? And, wait, is he a regular at the restaurant?”

“ Well, I’ve only been working at Mike’s for a short time, so I can’t say if he’s a regular. I’ve never noticed him there before.”

“Do you want to see him again?”

My heart stuttered at the thought. See him? If he appears, I’ll probably morph into thin air on the spot. But do I want to see him again?

Not. I’d be mortified.

But… there’s this tiny part of me that wants to bump into him again.

I grinned. “Girl, you have no idea.”