Can You Mend It? Part 2: Torn

By Billy Wood-Smith

How does Joe handle what D told him? Will D take the job in London? Can Sarah just accept that Jack might be in love with someone and she doesn‘t know who it is? What is Joe going to do about his Liz-problem? Or is he just going to let her get away with what she did?

Join D, Sarah, Joe and Jack once again as they face the difficulties of love, job decisions, breakups and getting along with nosy siblings. For Joe and D, of course, the main question is: Is this actually love and could it work this time?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Billy Wood-Smith
• Release date: Mar 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311577047

Book preview

CAN YOU

MEND IT?

Part 2 - TORN

by Billy Wood-Smith

Copyright © Billy Wood-Smith

2021 Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this to publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any from or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior permission of the author.

This novel is a work of fiction.

Names, characters, events and even some locations are purely fictitious and a work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

While this story is taking place in Innsbruck, a beautiful city in Austria, it could happen almost anywhere around the world.

For more on this book check

www.billywoodsmith.com

Table of Contents

Stay out of it!

PJ or BJ

Returning

Pete’s Party

At the Pub

Drawer Contents

Jealousy Approach Backfiring

It’ll be okay/ Relax/ Can I still come over?

After Midnight

Saturday Morning Breakfasts

Evening with Jack

Hope you know what you’re doing…

Off to London/ Off to See Mom

First Night in London

Aren’t you going to take this?

Monday in London/ at the Cabin

Tuesday in London/ at the Cabin

Wednesday in London /at the Cabin

…calling you anyway

Dripping Bathroom Faucet…

Can I come by?

An Irresistible Dinner Invitation

An Equation

Stay

Crumbs and Kisses

The things that we don’t say…

Breakfast noises

See you tonight

Note from the author

Stay out of it!

Hey Joe, I got a text message from Jack, asking if we wanted to meet him at the Irish pub tomorrow," Sarah said as she sat down on the ottoman.

Across from her, her brother was sitting on the sofa, his legs resting on the coffee table, his computer on his lap, some sports program running on TV. He glanced over at her.

That band Rick told us about is playing, Sarah babbled on.

Yeah, I know, Joe said with little enthusiasm. He reached for the remote control to turn down the volume on the TV. I got Jack’s message too. Don’t think I’m gonna be able to make it, though. Already sent him a response.

What other grand plans do you have for tomorrow night? Sarah asked.

His expression turned into an annoyed, clenched-jaw kind of look that told her that he didn’t like her question – probably because now he had to quickly make up some viable answer.

It was Thursday evening. Sarah had just come home from work. Almost exactly 24 hours had passed since the very bizarre scene in her kitchen Wednesday evening – a scene like out of some dramatic play. It had starred Joe, Liz and D as protagonists and Jack and herself as supporting cast. It still made her cringe every time she thought about it.

I’m not in the mood for the pub and unplugged love music, okay? Joe grumbled, putting an extra dark emphasis on love.

Fine, Sarah said, rolling her eyes at his tone.

Sarah, I just really don’t feel like–

Fine, she cut him off. That’s fine! Then don’t! With that she rose from the ottoman and turned around to leave. She was hungry and she was tired and she wasn’t going to deal with his bad vibes here!

Don’t be mad, okay? Joe said behind her, his tone suddenly more conciliatory. I know you guys probably want to cheer me up or something, but really – I don’t need cheering up! I’m perfectly fine!

Yeah, sure! Sarah scoffed. Good for you!

Sarah– Joe started, sounding slightly exasperated, but then he just stopped and changed the topic. I called the insurance company today, by the way.

Oh, you did? Sarah stopped under the archway that connected the living room to the kitchen.

Yeah. I reported the damage, and they confirmed that it’s covered. I still have a free claim, so the premium won’t shoot up. I made an appointment at the Volvo dealer here to have it fixed but couldn’t get anything until next Thursday.

Sarah nodded. Good that you’ve got that arranged. She felt relieved to hear that he had taken action to have any reminder of Liz’s last insane, evil deed erased from his Volvo. It was too bad it would have to wait for another week.

And I’m glad it’s all covered, she said.

Yep, Joe nodded, his eyes trailing off towards the window. Otherwise I may have had to kill her after all…

I wouldn’t blame you if you did, Sarah said drily.

He let out a little laugh, his eyes returning to her. I thought you might feel that way. It’s kind of comforting that I’m not the only one.

Oh, you’re not! Sarah assured him.

Across from her, Joe was rubbing his chin. Hey, but about tomorrow night – you should really go. I mean – just because I’m not… You and Jack should definitely go!

A little baffled at this sudden shift back to the initial topic, Sarah nodded. Yeah, sure. We’ll still go. We don’t need you!

No, you definitely don’t, Joe agreed. And you sure shouldn’t let Jack go all by himself! There was a mischievous little twist to his smile now.

Well, who knows, Sarah said in a joking tone that didn’t quite sound real, "if both of us cancelled, he might just ask his… mysterious whoever she is. Maybe he’d actually welcome that."

Joe shrugged, trying to keep a straight face. The way Sarah had just phrased it and her tone clearly showed that she wasn’t cool about her good friend Jack possibly being in love with someone else.

Joe shrugged. Well, he asked you and me though, right? And who knows, you might actually be able to find out some more details from him than I did… He gave her his best innocent smile. Because I think we do have to watch out for Jack a bit. Just so he doesn’t make any silly mistakes.

Sarah looked back at him undecidedly and was just opening her mouth to say something when he quickly said: Oh, by the way, if you’re hungry, there’s some chili con carne in the fridge…

She raised her eyebrows. You made chili?

He let out a little laugh. "I can cook some things, okay? Kind of had to, over the last three years. Liz sure couldn’t cook at all! He grimaced at the memory. Anyway, I kind of had a craving for chili, and enough time, so – help yourself."

Wow. Thanks. Sarah looked impressed.

~~~

While she warmed up some of the chili, Sarah checked her phone.

There was a text from D.

Thanks. Need to prepare and pack for London.

D

Sarah put the phone aside, took the chili out of the microwave and then sat down at the kitchen table to eat.

She had sent D a text message this morning:

Hope you’re okay. Let me know if you wanna meet or talk.

Sarah

The very delayed response showed that D neither wanted to meet nor talk but was caught up in preparations for London (or pretended to be…)

Sarah wasn’t sure what exactly had happened between her brother and D, but she had this nagging feeling that it wasn’t anything good. (Whatever good meant in this particular context.) All she did know was that D had – after her absolutely terrific confrontation with Liz – walked out, and Joe had gone after her. Five minutes later he had returned with a grim face, had wordlessly pulled out the chair beside Jack and sat down, his arms crossed, his eyes on Jack’s water glass. Sarah had excused herself at this point and taken her food upstairs to her room to eat it there while trying to come to terms with the crazy developments that had just occurred in her kitchen.

Fifteen minutes later she had heard the doorbell, and Liz’s brother, Steve, had arrived to pick the evil witch up. Shortly afterwards Jack had left and she had heard Joe walk up to his room.

Sarah finished the rest of her chili and leaned back in her chair for a moment. She couldn’t deny that she liked having Joe around and cook for her, but at the same time it worried her.

She got up from the table, put the dishes into the dishwasher and peeked into the living room where he was typing something into his computer.

Sarah leaned against the archway. The chili was really good, she told him.

Did my best, he said with a half-smile over at her.

"You can cook for me anytime! she grinned. I can put out the recipes of the dishes I would like to have prepared… And, of course, if you’re bored, you can always mow the lawn, change my car’s oil or – I’ll find something for you to do besides playing on your computer–"

"I wasn’t exactly playing on my computer! There was irritation in his voice now. I actually work on this thing, okay? It’s what I do."

Yeah, well, sorry, Sarah said. Don’t be so touchy! You didn’t exactly look like you were working…

I’m not touchy at all, he retorted. And okay, for the last half an hour I wasn’t working as in ‘doing something for R&D’. I’ve been trying to change my postal address on every freaking thing to the address here. I hope that’s okay.

Sure, Sarah nodded. Probably a good idea.

Yeah. I really need to stop my mail from going to Liz. Because who knows what could come out of that.

Mhmm. Sarah nodded, eying him warily. His eyes had already returned to the computer screen.

But about tomorrow night… Sarah started again, then paused for a moment, weighing if she should really say what had just crossed her mind. I could even see if D also wants to–

"Don’t even think about it! he interrupted her sharply. Stay out of it! He pointed his finger at her as he spoke. And this time I really mean it!"

Surprised and a little annoyed by the tone, Sarah gave him a provocatively wide-eyed look.

Then she shrugged, Whatever you say…

Thank you! He dropped his gaze back to his computer. Besides, she’s already got some really important plans for tomorrow night. Don’t you know that?

Sarah frowned. No. What do you mean?

Obviously going for maximum suspense, he clicked around with his mouse a few more times and tapped on some keys before he answered.

She’s going to a party, he finally announced, looking straight at her now. She’s going to a party with Peeete.

As the message was sinking in, Sarah had a hard time keeping her face from slipping. She hadn’t had any idea. D had never mentioned it. Probably for very good reasons, as she would have gotten an earful! She must have mentioned it to Joe, however. Or he had found out about it by himself. Whatever it was, this was absolutely idiotic!

You didn’t know about it? Joe seemed surprised.

Sarah decided not to comment. This was a lot more screwed up than she had feared.

Joe turned the TV off.

But even if she didn’t have that lovely party going on, he said darkly, while taking his feet off the coffee table. She doesn’t want to see me, okay? And quite honestly, I don’t really want to see her either.

Sarah undecidedly rubbed the bridge of her nose.

What happened? she asked, halfway expecting him to tell her again that she should stay out of his business.

Surprisingly he didn’t do that.

Well, you know… he said with a sneer while closing his laptop, she put on a really good show last night in your kitchen – we have to give her that! – but at the same time– He paused for a moment, his eyes narrow now. "It’s kind of absurd, but anyway: Sounds like seeing Liz there suddenly made her realize… I mean really realize that I’d been living with Liz for the past few years and not in some fucking monastery. He sucked in a sharp breath before he continued in the same angry tone as before. And that’s a serious problem for her now. And suddenly she isn’t even sure – how did she put it? – that she knows who I am anymore…" He shrugged and placed his hands on the closed lid of the computer.

Watching him, Sarah wished that she had been prepared for all this in some way (preferably by D). Maybe then she would have had a good and helpful response up her sleeve. But with all this being brand new information (and not exactly the comforting, heart-warming kind) she was still trying to process it.

Well, D isn’t always rational, she finally said in lack of anything better to contribute. Especially when she’s suddenly standing right in front of your precious ex, who’s dressed like a hooker. I’m surprised she pulled it off as well as she did. Some kind of breakdown had to be expected, though.

I know that, Joe said, tracing the edges of his laptop with his fingers. But even taking that into account – I mean, what am I supposed to do, huh? She explicitly told me to back off. So…

Sarah looked back at him, scrambling for something to say, but then it didn’t seem as if he really expected a response.

"She told me to back off and, honestly, I think that’s exactly what I’m going to do. At least until she gets back from that seminar thing in London."

Sarah faltered. Judging from what he had just said, D must have told him about her trip to London, but omitted the fact that attending some seminars wasn’t the sole purpose of this trip. She hadn’t mentioned the job.

So, that’s where we are, Joe concluded. Then he got up, the laptop clutched under his arm and headed for the door. I think I’ll go for a run, he said. I really need some fresh air…

PJ or BJ

(Friday, August 23rd)

Sarah parked in the parking lot outside the apartment building where Jack lived. The Irish pub they were going to was a few minutes away and had hardly any parking. So they would just walk from here.

She climbed out of the car, grabbed her purse and her sweater from the passenger seat and walked through the hedge to the main door. She rang Jack’s bell. A few seconds passed, then she heard the intercom click.

Hi Sarah, come on up, she heard Jack say. The door opener buzzed and she pushed the door open.

Climbing the stairs to the second floor, Sarah could hear Jack’s voice and laughter from upstairs. She figured that he must be out in the stairway talking to someone – a woman judging from the second voice and the flirtatious giggle that was audible now. Sarah couldn’t help feeling a mild flash of irritation.

Hi, Sarah! Jack called as she reached the landing on the second floor. He was standing in the open door to his apartment; Sam, his golden retriever beside him, and a dark-haired woman standing just outside his door.

Hello, Sarah said with a quick glance at the woman who was now turning around to her. She was holding a half empty bottle of red wine vinegar in her hands.

Sarah, this is Wendy, my new neighbor from upstairs, Jack said politely. Wendy, this is Sarah, a good friend.

Hi, Wendy smiled a big but somewhat forced smile. She was pretty, tall and probably four or five years older than Jack. And she didn’t seem too pleased that her chat with her handsome neighbor had just been cut short.

Wendy’s borrowing some red wine vinegar, Jack explained the obvious.

Sarah nodded and smiled and thought to herself that borrowing vinegar had obviously only been an excuse to ring Jack’s bell.

Anyway, Wendy said with a sweet smile back at Jack. Thank you. Now I can continue my cooking. Maybe next week I can actually have you over for something. If you have time…

Yeah, sure, Jack nodded with a non-committal smile.

Wendy reached out and gave Sam a quick pat. And you can come too, she said in a voice that people use to talk to babies and puppies. Sam gave her a bored look, turned around and trotted back into the flat where he shook himself before he disappeared from sight.

Well, thanks again, Wendy said and – in Sarah’s direction – she chirped a quick, Nice to meet you. Then she headed upstairs.

Jack ushered Sarah inside, gave her a quick peck on the cheek and closed the door behind her.

I still need a few minutes, he told her apologetically. Started a download on the computer a while ago that has been taking forever. It’s almost done though. So, if you don’t mind, I’d like to wait a few more minutes until it’s finished.

Sure, no problem. Sarah followed him to the living room where Sam had laid down on his blanket beside the sofa and was watching her sleepily as she stepped around him to sit down. She reached out and massaged his head for a moment. Obviously not very impressed, Sam