Becca's POV
A vacation is exactly what I need.
A sigh escapes my mouth as I think about simpler times with my parents. Just then, a message popped on my phone.
It was from Jenna.
Jenna: Girl, where are you?
She was probably searching for me to have lunch together. Fuck. Thursdays.
I reply to her immediately.
Me: At home.
Jenna: Doing what?
Me: Long story, I'll explain when I get there.
Jenna and I always had lunch breaks together on Thursdays at our favorite restaurant. It literally was my only indulgence ever, since I spend all my time working for my toddler boss.
In no time I arrived and saw Jenna sitting at a table near the window reading the menu.
"Hey… I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting," I apologized as I sat down.
"It's fine." She replied, dropping the menu. "Now what I really want to know is why you were at home?"
I chuckled at this question, but Jenna's face held a mysterious smile. "I quit my job."
The smile on her face fell off. "You what?"
"I quit my job, Jenna."
"Wh—what? How?! Why?!" she asked in a tone too loud for the restaurant, causing the other patrons to look in our direction.
My cheeks burned in embarrassment. "Keep your voice down," I say, leaning in and covering her mouth while mouthing apologies to them.
"I quit my job this morning, and I called my boss a toddler before leaving."
Jenna opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
"I also just decided on a vacation too."
Jenna knew me too well and knew how out of character it was for me to just up and leave my job. The job she once told me if ever a choice came, between the both of them, she would be scared to know what my answer would be.
Which, in simpler words, meant I would choose the job. And I don't blame her.
I never had any boundaries or knew when to stop, so I kept working and working.
Something wet flowed down my face, and Jenna wiped it off. "You're crying, Becca."
"It's allergies," I reply with a chuckle.
Jenna sighed and held my hands over the table.
I swallowed hard, staring at where Jenna's hands covered mine. The warmth was grounding, but it also made my throat tighten. I wasn't sure if I wanted comfort or if I just wanted to forget this entire conversation.
"You don't have to do this alone, you know," Jenna said softly.
I exhaled through my nose, forcing a laugh. "Do what?"
"This." She gestured vaguely between us. "Acting like everything is fine when it's clearly not."
My instinct was to argue—to say I was fine, to push it all down like I always did—but the words wouldn't come. Maybe because, for once, I wasn't sure if I believed them.
Jenna squeezed my hands. "Just let yourself breathe, Becca."
I closed my eyes and took a deep breathe in. When was the last time I really did that?
"Now tell me where you're planning to go?"
My lips formed a grin. "California babes!" I exclaimed feeling giddy.
Jenna squealed with me. "Palm Springs?"
"Yes!"
"I'm so happy..."