I'm Not in Love

Tristan

Life has been turned upside downby Wendy’s constant illness. When I’m not working, I take the boys to school, soccer, and swimming lessons, make their meals, and do their laundry because Tara invests so much time caring for her. Money is tighter than ever—Tara hasn’t been able to find an online job. The kids are begging for Halloween costumes we can’t afford if we want to eat anything other than ramen noodles for the next month. I’m exhausted and feeling a little bit down. This could also be because Remi hasn’t reached out to me since last Sunday, after the incident with Professor Santini.

“Any word from that office assistant job you applied for at the end of last week?” I ask over bowls of cereal.

“Not yet, which isn’t a good sign,” Tara replies with a yawn. “Maybe I’ll dog sit instead.”

“Dog fur won’t help Wendy’s allergies,” I point out.

“Shit, you’re right.”

“Naughty language, Mommy!” Tommy exclaims. “Little Wenny’s gonna start sayin’ it now.”

“Shit… I mean, sorry,” she murmurs.

“Sheet!” Wendy blurts and breaks into a grin. It’s the first time she’s smiled since Monday. Five long days.

“Stop it, Little Wenny!” Tommy fully embraces the role of enforcer.

Tara’s mind is still on business. “Can you take Jared to his soccer game at five, Tris?”

“I can’t—I have an evening job at Garner Valley School of Design. And it’s a long one, so the money will be good. I can’t cancel.”

“I’m not missing my dang soccer game!” Jared shouts. “I’m, like, the best striker we got—the Bears need me to score!”

“Look, Jared—I can’t take Wendy to the field tonight because she’s sick. All I can do is call your friends’ moms to see if they can bring you over to the field.”

“Call Coach Remi. He’ll take me.”

Everybody at the table turns to gawk at me.

“That’s not a bad idea,” Tara says. “Will you ask him, Tris?”

“Uh…”

“That’s what friends are for,” she sings. “Come on…”

“Okay, I’ll call him and let you know what he says.” The worst he can say is no-can-do. And after I pick myself up off the floor from the humiliation of it, I’ll know Remi’s interest in me is casual, at most.

“Cool beans!” Jared exclaims.

“Cool beanies!” Wendy repeats.

* * *

Tristan

“Hi, Remi.”I so do not want to make this call. Remi has done way too much for our family already, and it’s hard to ask for more. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

“Tristan… hello.”

His tone gives no clue as to whether he’s happy to hear from me. “I, uh… I need to ask a favor.” I might as well go straight to the heart of the matter—there’s no use dragging out the torture. “Wendy’s sick, I’ve got a job… and we wondered if you could take Jared to soccer tonight.”

“Oh, um…” The silence makes my belly lurch.

“I mean, if you can’t do it, it’s fine. But Jared asked for you.”

A tiny gasp. “He asked for me?”

“Yeah.” This was Jared’s big idea. “He did.”

“Of… of course. I’d love to take Jared to soccer.”

“I really appreciate it.”

“I’m a… a decent friend.”

“That you are.” And a lifesaver of epic proportions.

“Same time and place as last game?”

“Uh-huh. You’ll need to pick him up at our apartment at quarter to five. And don’t be surprised if Tommy asks to come along. My nephews can’t get enough of you.” They’re not alone.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them too.”

“Thanks, Remi.”

“Anytime.”

* * *