John sank into one of the chairs, staring at the key. It hurt, being alone in this house again. First Lisa then Wilbur and now Joel. It seemed everyone he brought into it left for one reason or another.

The phone rang. John contemplated ignoring it, but a small, secret part of him hoped it was Joel saying he had changed his mind. He stood and headed over to pick up the phone. “MacNamara residence, John speaking.”

“Hey, John!” His mother's cheerful voice came through the speaker.

“Hi, Ma.” His fingers tangled in the phone cord as something in his chest began to knot.

“Just checking when you and Joel are going to come visit next!”

Swallowing thickly, John forced himself to find his voice. “It… it's just going to be me next time.”

“Oh? Is Joel busy with work?” Cece asked curiously.

Fingers tightening in the cord, John fought to keep his voice level as he replied, “No. It's… we broke up last night.”

A loud gasp came through the speaker. “What happened? Are you okay? Are you still on good terms-”

“Ma,” John interrupted her, “It's… it's complicated. And a bit too fresh to really talk about. But…” He hesitated. “No, it wasn't on good terms.”

“Oh, John,” Cece sighed, “I'm so sorry to hear that. Let me know if there's anything I can do.”

He knew he wouldn't ask and he knew she knew that as well. Yet he still replied, “Okay. I'm going to get dinner. I love you.”

“I love you too, sweetheart. Bye.”

“Bye.” John hung up the phone before rubbing at his eyes. He walked over to the fridge, eyes scanning the containers of leftovers. All food Joel had made.

The refrigerator slammed closed as John turned to slump over the counter, head in his hands.

The next day at lunch, John picked at his food as he sat opposite of Xander.

“-to come over for dinner tonight?” Xander offered, “Denise is making pot roast.” He glanced around, lowering his voice before adding, “You can bring Joel.”

God, why did he introduce Joel to so many people in his life? Shaking his head, he quietly informed Xander, “We broke up. He's already moved out.”

“What?!” Xander whisper-shouted. He quickly regained composure. “What happened?”

John shook his head as he stabbed his fork into the meatloaf on his plate. “It's complicated.”

“...well, you're still welcome to dinner tonight,” Xander said as his dark eyes studied John closely. “Might do you some good to get out of the house.”

“Yeah, maybe,” John muttered as his stomach twisted, making him nauseous.

That weekend, as John sipped his coffee, the phone rang. Sighing, he stood and answered it. “MacNamara residence, John speaking.”

“Heya, Johnny!” Lisa's excited voice came through the phone. “Robin and I just wanted to thank you again for hostin’ us last week! We really needed it!”

Chuckling softly, John replied, “Not a problem. It's always good to see you two.”

Lisa gave a small giggle before asking, “How's Joel?”

His heart plummeted into his stomach. “...we broke up,” he admitted, “Right after you and Robin left, actually.”

“Wha- why?!” Lisa exclaimed. “Oh, Johnny, I'm so sorry.”

“It's not your fault,” John sighed. “It… We just had some issues we couldn't reconcile.”

A sympathetic hum came from Lisa. “If you need anythin’, don't hesitate to call,” she said seriously. “I'm so sorry, John. Breakups are never fun.”

“No, they're not,” he agreed wearily. “I'll call you tomorrow, Lisa. I'm not really in a talking mood right now.”

“Alright. Don't be a stranger, Johnny. Bye-bye.”

“Bye.”

He hung up the phone. He made it exactly two steps toward the table before a knock came at the door.

Groaning, he went to answer the door.

Victoria stood on the porch, holding a box of donuts from a local bakery. She beamed at him, though her smile faltered when she saw his expression. “Is now a bad time?” She asked hesitantly.

“No, you're fine,” John assured her, waving her in.

They settled at the table, the box flipped open to reveal six huge glazed donuts. John took one, dipping it in his coffee before taking a bite.

“Where's Mr. Joel?” Victoria asked, hands fidgeting, “I made sure to get enough for the three of us-”

John's heart seized in his chest. “Vic… Joel and I broke up this past Sunday,” he told her gently.

Her eyes widened as she stared at him. “What?” Her voice was small. “Why?”

“You don't need to worry about that, Vic,” he assured her. He couldn't tell her the truth. He didn't want her blaming herself. “Sometimes things just don't work out.”

“...are you at least still friends?” She asked hopefully.

John shook his head. “I'm afraid not. I'll be alright though. I'm tough.”

A sad expression crossed Victoria's face as she plucked a donut from the box. “That sucks,” she mumbles as she takes a bite.

“Sadly, life sucks sometimes,” John agreed. “But hey, this means I'm available to date that space princess from the cupcake planet now.”

Victoria rolled her eyes even as she giggled. “Are you ever going to let that go?”