“I’ve been struggling with how to tell you,” he said. “Mobility is a condition of the job, and I think I always knew I’d be transferred away from here, but I’ve just been having so much fun hanging out with you, I didn’t want to think about it.” He took a step closer to me and reached for my hands, which now hung limp by my sides. He then lifted them to his mouth and kissed them one by one.
“DC is only a couple of hours away . . . we can still see each other on weekends?”
It was the kind of thing you say because you want it to be true, but I think we both knew we weren’t going to take our relationship long distance. We’d only been together for a few months, and as busy as we both were with our jobs, it’d never work. Plus, what was the endgame? I wasn’t planning on moving to DC and he wasn’t likely to move back here.
I looked up at him, my bleary eyes saying what neither of us wanted to admit. This meant it was over. It had to be.
Jay lowered his head and said in a near-whisper, “I’m so sorry.”
I think I was almost too tired to feel anything at that point. I nodded silently and took a step closer to him and let him wrap his arms around me. It was my way of saying “I understand,” even though I didn’t want to. I let him hug me tight and kiss my neck and then eventually take me into my room where he tucked me into bed. I lay on his chest while he ran his hands through my hair and we talked until I fell asleep.
When I woke up the next morning, he was gone.
Dear Jenna,
Turns out, my guy wasn’t dating other people after all. But he just told me he’s moving away. I’m heartbroken and I could really use a little advice, or maybe just a (virtual) shoulder to cry on.
All best,
Riley
Dear Jenna,
Haven’t heard back from you yet. Usually you respond so quickly. Anyway, still feeling bummed about things and could really use some words of wisdom. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’ve actually really grown to rely on our little “talks.” I think I may even spring for the $89.99/month after the free trial runs out!
All best,
Riley
Dear Jenna,
I was looking for some wisdom, but I’ll take anything at this point. Do you have any “wise words” from celebrities for me, or can you tell me WWBD (What Would Beyoncé Do)? I’d even consider downloading one of your apps—haha, lol. I’m only kidding—kind of.
But seriously, I’m starting to get worried about you. Are you okay?
All best,
Riley
Dear Riley,
My name is Dylanne M and I am a supervisor at Bestmillenniallife.com. I’m sorry to report that Jenna B is no longer with the company. She left very suddenly when she was offered the role of “Woman Eating Bagel” in the next Eddie Redmayne film. One of the perks of working at Bestmillenniallife.com is that we encourage our Personal Success Concierges™ to FOLLOW THEIR BLISS, just as we encourage our clients to do the same. We like to think this breeds CONSISTENCY OF MESSAGE, though I don’t mind telling you it can create some staffing challenges!
As a gesture of goodwill for your understanding of this unforeseen circumstance, we would like to offer you 50% off your first full month of Bestmillenniallife.com. And we will immediately get you set up with Kenny R, one of our highest-rated Personal Success Concierges.™
We apologize for this speedbump on your road toward PERSONAL FULFILLMENT. We hope you’ll decide to continue on this journey with us (at half off!).
Warmest regards,
Dylanne M
Supervisor, Level II
Bestmillenniallife.com
Dear Dylanne,
Is there any chance that you can apply the 50% off to Click.com? I think I’m in need of Regina H’s services again.
PS: If you can get a message to Jenna B, please tell her I said, “In the wise words of Adele, ‘I wish nothing but the best for you.’ Haha lol.”
All best,
Riley
CHAPTER 43
My parents insisted on taking me out to dinner Sunday night to celebrate my big professional success. They came over to pick me up wearing matching T-shirts they’d made that read We Read Riley in huge block letters on the front and Proud Parents of a Newspaper Reporter on the back. I was at once mortified and touched, and as soon as I saw them I started bawling like a three-year-old who just lost her binky.
My dad, who suffers from sympathetic crying syndrome, immediately started crying too. “I told you it was too much, Jeannie.”
“Hey, hey,” my mom said, pulling me into a tight hug. “What’s all this about?”
So unfortunately, instead of celebrating my success, we ended up spending most of the evening talking about my broken heart. I explained to my parents about Jay’s job offer and how he’d already accepted it and would be moving soon. I told them how we’d decided to end things before it got weird or ugly with the distance, and how it felt like the emotional equivalent of dancing to a song you love and then having some jackass DJ stop it suddenly partway through.
“You never know, honey,” my dad said. “Maybe another big drug lord will move down to Tuttle and Jay can come back?”
“Cheers to that!” My mom laughed and lifted her drink.
“Yes, cheers to an increase in the Tuttle Corner drug trade—” My dad fell silent mid-toast. We followed his eyes to see Hal Flick walking up to our table. My mom set her glass down without taking a sip.
I had yet to fill my
