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I was wrong.
“You know that guy that Calvin hates?”
“There are many.”
“Everyone likes Calvin.”
“I’m sure that’s what he thinks,” she said. I would never know why Calvin didn’t have the same relationship with Gram that I did. We were all close when we were younger, but Gram had gotten this way once he pulled away from me and excelled at everything. “So what did this guy do?”
“He made a move on me to piss off Calvin.”
“Hewhat?”Her eyes narrowed and her brow pulled low. “I should go back there and?—”
“No,” I said quickly. “I don’t wanna be anywhere near the party. I just want to spend what’s left of my birthday trying to feel better. I didn’t even get a cake that I liked.”
“Did they get chocolate again?”
“Yes.” I sighed.
“All right, then. I know our next stop.”
She took me to the store where she let me pick out whatever cake I wanted. We drove back to her house in the historical part of Nashville where we got into comfy pajamas and lounged on the couch. I wanted to enjoy my cake, especially since Gram had found a vanilla one with cream cheese icing, but I picked at it sullenly.
“Should I go get Emma?” she asked. “She can hang out with us too.”
“No, she’s probably in her room on the phone with her friends.”
“What can I do to help?”
“I just feel so stupid,” I said. “How long do I have to feel this way?”
“You’re not dumb.Heis for doing this to you. It took me a long time to learn that lesson.”
“From Mom’s dad?”
“No,” she said. “From Albert. My first love.”
Her eyes drifted to the nearby window, going vacant like they always did when she mentioned the past.
“We don’t have to talk about it.”
“We should,” she replied. “Because it would help you.”
“I don’t know if anything would help.”
“Amy, I need you to know you’re not alone in this.” She reached over to pat my hand. “Women, time and time again, have been hurt by those they love. Especially ones they trusted.”
“Like you have?”
“Unfortunately, yes. In many ways.”
“At least this wasn’t as big of a deal. It was just a kiss.”
“But it hit you where it hurts. I know you like to pretend Calvin doesn’t bother you, but it’s okay if he does.”
“Everyone loves him. I’m just ... different.”
“And that’s what I love about you,” she said. “You’re like me when I was your age. And I don’t want to see you lose your spark because of some man’srevenge tactic.”