Forgive for Joy's Sake (Part 24)

After a restless night, I got up early Sunday morning, packed an overnight bag, got dressed, and left the house. Sitting around the house waiting for Wes to show up at my door didn’t appeal to me at all. I knew he was scheduled to fly back early Monday morning, so I just needed to avoid him one day. Hopefully that would give me some time after that to work through my feelings and figure out exactly what it was I wanted. It dawned on me that I had cut myself off from the world after Jackson and I divorced. There weren’t any friends I could call because Mel and I pretty much shared them all.

When I got the opportunity to work from home, I took it and was able to keep human contact via phone and video calls. My parents had become my only constant human contact and now they were physically off limits because Mel was living with them. Had she not been there, and I’d gone through something as extreme as last night’s fiasco, I could have gone to their house and stayed a few days. Now I was left to deal with all the rational and irrational thoughts and feelings all on my own.

After a quick stop at a gas station to top off, I drove and drove until I hit a rural area. A roadside sign announced that a bed and breakfast was coming up in two miles. I followed the signs and found a large, inviting, yellow and cream house with a sign that read Welcome to Yaya’s Bed & Breakfast.

Inside, I walked up to the small desk area in the front room. I rang the little bell on the desk and waited. A petite woman that looked about sixty came out smiling. “Welcome dear. Can I interest you in a room?”

“Oh good, you have a room available. Yes, I’ll take one for tonight.” While registering me, she said, “I’m Yaya, and have been since my first grandchild arrived on the scene fifteen years ago. You just missed breakfast but if you are hungry, I can fix a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich.”

“I’m starving actually. Would it be possible to get some coffee with that too?”

“Sure can. Let me show you to your room and let you get settled in. You can come back down to the kitchen to eat, or I can have someone bring it to your room if you prefer.” She led me up to the second floor.

“If it could be brought to the room that would be perfect. I’m hungry and tired. I think I’ll be taking a nap.”

She led me to my room—a large, airy, pale yellow oasis. “This room comes with an ensuite bathroom. I kind of sense you needed some alone time.”

“Thank you,” I said as she handed me the room key.

“No problem. Make yourself at home. Your food will be ready soon.” She turned and walked out the door, closing it behind her. I locked the door and went to check out the bathroom. The sight of the clawfoot soaker tub made me smile. Tonight, I would be soaking my woes away.

***

“Have either of you heard from Joy?” Wes came into the family room and asked Joy’s parents.

“Yes, she called me last night and we talked until she got in,” Mr. D. responded.

“And she called me this morning telling me she was crashing for the day but would check in with us later,” Vivica responded.

“I think she is mad at me. She won’t respond to my text or calls.” Wes sat down on the couch feeling frustrated. “Maybe I should go over there so we can talk.”

Her parents exchanged a look. “What?” he asked them.

“She’s probably not there.” Vivica told him. “Our daughter tends to make space for herself when she is hurt.”

“Hurt?” The wheels started turning in his mind. “She wasn’t okay, was she?”

“Son, she had just been held at gun point and learned how her ex-husband had been murdered. Don’t you think she was just as affected as Mel?” Mr. D. turned off the television and focused his attention on Wes.

“I guess I wasn’t thinking at the time. Mel’s pain was so visible. Joy looked a bit shaken, but okay.” Wes thought back and realized she had been shaking and he had overlooked that fact. He felt bad and wanted to make amends, but it would be hard to do if she had cut him off.

“Do you know where I can find her? I need to talk to her.” Wes stood ready to head out as soon as he knew where to go.

“Sorry, Wes. She didn’t tell me.” Vivica gave him a sorry look.

Mr. D. looked away.

“Mr. D. do you know?” Wes asked him directly.

“I can’t help you, Wes,” he replied and turned the television back on. Wes looked over at Vivica with a silent plea.

“Wes, give us a minute,” she said, and he left the room to get his keys and wallet.

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