Page 10 of See You at the Sunset

“In Staten Island?” She tried to cover up her disdain. Beggars couldn’t be choosers, and Jia was most definitely the beggar in this scenario. But still—Staten Island? “Don’t worry, I’ll figure something out.”

“Or, don’t hate me for suggesting it, but you could take your parents up on their offer and maybe go home for a little bit? Just until you get on your feet,” Lizzy suggested. Lizzy’s shoulders were up to her ears, and she’d forced out every premature wrinkle on her face as she grimaced. It pained her to even say it, Jia could tell.

“Florida is not my home,” she said. “And that’s just not an option. It’s signing away my freedom.”

Lizzy nodded in understanding. She’d met Jia’s parents. She knew what a lifetime of their disapproval and disappointment had done to Jia.

“Well, let’s not worry about it tonight. I have the coupon for the half-off pizza at Joey’s. Pepperoni and jalapeños sound good?” Lizzy suggested, changing the subject. “It’s on me.”

“Sounds perfect,” Jia said, trying not to let the stress and sudden concern for where she was going to live in the near future overwhelm her. Not tonight when she wanted to be celebrating her best friend’s good news. “But I can cover my half. That way we don’t have to fight over who gets the leftover cold pizza in the morning.” Jia tried to smile. Her life had beenreduced to wondering if she could afford half-price pizza split between two.

As Lizzy went to the other room to order the pizza, Jia pulled the covers over her head and blocked out the rest of the world. She hated feeling low and desperate like this.

When was the last time that Jia had actually felt like herself? Free? Truly happy?

A memory of her first two-piece swimsuit, a grape Popsicle in hand, palm trees in the skyline, laughter with a loving face with tiny, beautiful crow’s-feet around her eyes accentuating the joy. Mimi.

There wasn’t one memory tied to her grandmother in Palm Springs that didn’t make Jia smile. Her grandmother loved and accepted Jia for who she was. Never tried to squeeze her into any box to contain her. Always wanted her to explore, be loud, question, enjoy.

Jia quickly sat up in her bed and scrolled down her Contacts list. She hadn’t been back to Palm Springs in years. Holidays and family gatherings happened mostly in Florida now. She missed it so much. And maybe this was the exact sign she needed.

She could either stay here in New York and wallow in her failures, paralyzed over what to do next as the clock ticked down, or... she could escape to the desert. She could go and regroup, breathe, relax. She was too emotionally constipated right now. She needed to get away.

Jia pictured herself sitting by the pool, the smell of coconut sunscreen filling her nose, the vitamin D of the sun’s rays energizing her, inviting all the good juju to come her way. A full inbox with job offers once she let go of the pressure and stress of needing one. Make it so!

She pressed the Call button before she could chicken out.She needed to ask before she could tell herself she shouldn’t be burdening her grandmother. She’d burdened enough people as of late.

Mimi’s voice answered after only one ring.

“Jia, how’s my best girl doing?” Mimi asked.

“Mimi, I’m sorry to bother you. But I was wondering if I could ask a favor?” Jia said.

“Well, okay then, right down to business. Lay it on me. Anything for you. You know that.”

“I was wondering—is that spare bedroom of yours free? And if so, how’d you like some company for the next few weeks out there at The Sunset?”

4

Henry rubbed his chest where the sharp pain had awakened him.

The panic attacks had been rare enough up to this point that he avoided taking the anxiety medication that had been prescribed to him. He loathed the side effects and found that if he managed his stress levels and caffeine intake, it helped keep them at bay. But this was the third one he’d had this summer.

Why now? There was nothing stressing him out more than usual. Work was... work. But he was making moves. In Henry’s mind, that was a good thing. And, well, there wasn’t anything else happening in Henry’s life other than that. He couldn’t figure out what could possibly be triggering this. And this, apparently, made the pain even worse.

The doctor assured him that he wasn’t having a heart attack. But it always felt like one. Henry actually wished it was one because at least he could get something for the pain. A panic attack? Opioids actually increased the anxiety. So the only hopewas that he could calm himself down and wait for the pain to subside.

Henry was not the type to be calm, at least not on the inside.

As the waves of pain increased, he curled up into a fetal position on his bed trying to breathe through them. It never worked. It was, unfortunately, just a waiting game. And after what felt like hours but was likely mere minutes, the piercing had subsided. He got up and shakily walked to his kitchen to get a glass of water.

Henry looked down at his phone on his kitchen counter. He always had his phone within arm’s length. Had he forgotten to bring it to bed with him? On the screen was a Missed Call notification and a voice mail. A work emergency. They were the only ones that would call him. Unless...

The screen readDennis. His grandfather. Shit. He didn’t often call in the evenings, and though he was three hours behind, by the time Henry had gone to bed, it would have been late for his granddad.

Henry’s heart rate quickened as he fumbled to check the message.

“Hey, Hank, it’s your gramps. How you doing, kiddo? I miss you. It’s been too long. Anywho, not a big thing, but... well, I think I might’ve gotten myself in a pickle. I’m selling the house and just get a weird feeling about the real estate guy. Gimme a call when you get a chance. Tomorrow’s fine. I just drank my warm milk and will be asleep in a few. Love you, kiddo.”