Chapter 12: Chapter 12

The conversation between June and the woman grew more flirtatious. June trailed an arm down the woman’s wrist, examining her watch. She laughed at all of June’s jokes as June continued to order her drink after drink. I glanced over at Young June, who appeared emotional and uncomfortable by all of this. Gone was the rage. I saw pain. But this is pain that I’ve caused her, and it didn’t feel right to comfort her in this moment.

Although I couldn’t see it, my phone buzzed repeatedly as call after call came in. That night, as time passed and it became clear I wasn’t coming home, Eloise began to panic. June ignored all of them. Charlie was the one who tipped Eloise off as to where I was that night. Around midnight, Eloise arrived at the exact same bar to see June brazenly flirting with this other woman. June was gathering her things and getting ready to head home with her.