began to ring in my purse. I grabbed it. “It’s James.” I said.
“Don’t answer…” Austin said as I pressed the talk button.
“Hello?” I said.
“Jamie…? Where have you been? I’ve been calling.” He said.
“I’m with Austin. I left my purse in the car” I admitted.
“I’m at your house.” He said.
“Oh, Okay. I’m on my way.” I unenthusiastically said.
I hung up the phone.
“He’s at the house.” I admitted.
“Alright, so, I guess I have to take you to him?” Austin asked.
“Yes.” I said. In a way I was thankful.
He drove in direction to my house. We sat in silence. When we reached my house I kissed his cheek and climbed out of the car. He didn’t say anything. I could tell he was brokenhearted. I shut the door and turned toward the house. James was sitting on the porch. I heard the mustang drive off.
“Sorry to ruin your date.” James said sarcastically.
“No you’re not.” I said bitterly.
He laughed as I walked to the door and unlocked it. We walked in together. I put my keys and my purse down on the table beside the door and followed James into the kitchen.
“You’re early.” I stated.
“Yeah, I have a lot of things to do.” He said.
“Cool, Austin will be graduating soon. And he has a job now.” I said trying to small talk him.
“Well, I am here to give you this.” He placed a blue gift bag on the table.
“What’s this?” I inquired.
“We’re paying you up.” He announced.
“What do you mean?” I questioned.
“This is your last three payments of $1000. There is $3000 in this bag.” He declared.
“Paying me up?” I asked confused. “I thought this deal was supposed to last until I die?” I asked.
“Well, dad said that he sees no reason to take care of you anymore. Jesse has moved on and evidently you have too. You are no longer a risk to him.”
“This is bull shit James. I was supposed to be paid $1,000 every month until I died.” I was starting to get mad.
“I don’t make the rules Jamie, I just enforce them.” James admitted.
I rolled my eyes. “Fine” I said.
“I do have one more gift for you.” He laid an envelope on the table.
“Okay. I’ll open it later. I have to go look for a job.” I said sarcastically.
“I guess this is goodbye Jamie.” He said. He came over to me and kissed my cheek. “It’s been a pleasure.”
“Goodbye James.” I whispered. “Although I hate your guts, we’ve became close.” I admitted. “I’m going to miss you…a little.” I confessed.
“Me too… Take care of yourself Jamie.” He said.
He turned around and caressed Cody’s head. “Bye Mutt.” He said.
Cody licked his hand. I smiled at them. This was a bittersweet moment. James had kind of grown on me. He had become the only one who knew my secret and really knew “me”. I was going to miss him slightly. Undoubtedly because he reminded me of the face I so desperately desired to see again. James shook his head in a nod and walked out the back door, closing it behind him. He disappeared. My heart sank as I