Broken but Breathing (Jinx Tattoos 2)

“How could it be worse?”

“He could ask me for a divorce, or tell me he’s cheating.”

“Do you think he’s messing around?” Estelle whispered, stunned. How the hell could I be so blind? She’s been going through hell, and lending me her shoulder like a boss while I continued to take without giving.

“I don’t know what I think. I’m desperate for an explanation of how we got here, and it’s a logical conclusion.”

“Don’t even put that into the universe. Todd loves you. You’re a strong, thoughtful, smoking hot wife. He’d be a fool to throw that away.”

“And yet how many people who have everything do just that?” Jolene asked.

“I think you’re playing a guessing game. You need to sit down and talk with him. I know you’re afraid, but the things you’re imagining right now are probably a million times worse than the truth. You’ve been through a lot, too, in the past couple of years. Give yourself a break. Your mom took Ev’s death hard. You were going back and forth between the two of us. Your father had that stroke last year. In a lot of ways, you’re just getting back to a place of normalcy. I think that’s why it’s hitting you so hard.”

“You think?” she asked, wiping away her tears. “When did you get so wise, little sister?”

“When you gaze into the face of hell, you either go insane or get your shit together. I did the crazy thing, so I guess I’m on the upswing.”

Jolene laughed, and Estelle cherished the ability to brighten her day.

“Let’s talk about how we’re going to make this better, Jole.”

“Yeah, I’m down for that,” Jolene said, taking a deep breath as she tucked her brown strands behind her ears and put on her game face.

They spent the better part of an hour going back and forth with ideas on how to spice things up.

“You know what I think?” Estelle asked.

“What?”

“Enough talking. It’s time for action.”

“What do you mean?”

“Two words, Jole. Naughty and store,” Estelle said.

Jolene laughed. “What?”

“Come on, the good kind, not one in a department store.”

“I wouldn’t know where to start,” Jolene replied.

“All the more reason for us to go.”

“I’m not going to be the only one who buys something.”

“Oh no, today is not about me.”

“I’m not going it alone. You get something, too, or it’s a no-go,” Jolene said.

“Crafty wench. Fine, I’ll pick up a few things, too.”

“Awesome, let’s get rid of our garbage and go.”

Played like a fiddle.

§

The two-story red brick building had a row of dildos in the front window, a scantily clad blonde on a poster, and a sea of shelves stocked with who knew what. Well, this is something I don’t do every day. They linked arms and walked inside.