“Aren’t you going to ask about Chris?”
“No. We are no longer married. What he does is his business.” She reached down and petted Phoenix on top of the head and secretly wished the dog could turn into a dragon and chase her ex-mother-in-law out of the house.
“It’s almost eleven at night there. I’m surprised he’s still up that late. But I guess with a younger woman he feels younger too. He said they went to the Louvre today. I went to Paris a few years ago with some friends. Had a wonderful time. Have you ever been?”
“You know I haven’t.” She stated.
“He sounded tired when we spoke.” Janice said as she walked over to the fireplace.
“Probably because he’s trying to keep up with a twenty-two year-old.” She muttered under her breath.
“He said they are planning on going to Greece after Paris.”
“Do you want peppers in your chili?” She didn’t have any peppers but desperately wanted to change the subject.
“You know I can’t tolerate them.” Janice pressed her lips into a thin line. “He said the weather is wonderful over there. And I could tell he was sad about missing my trip to his house.”
She snorted. Chris Johnson was the most self-entitled man she’d ever met. He was probably glad he missed the visit with his mom. Whenever she visited, he made sure to take calls so he wouldn’t have to be around her.
“Dinner will be ready in about an hour.” She put the lid on the pot and let the ingredients simmer. “I’m going to have a hot tea and sit outside. Would you like one?”
“I’ll take a tea but I refuse to sit out there in this cold weather.”
Carolina bit back a sharp reply and instead fixed two cups of hot tea and handed one to Janice. She took hers and gathered her jacket. Phoenix was on her heels following her to the back door.
Once outside she sat down in the chair and enjoyed her tea in peace with Phoenix at her feet.
The door swung open and her heart sank.
“Aren’t you going to ask about Chris and his new wife?”
Carolina set her cup down on the table. “Janice why are you here? I mean you have made it abundantly clear that you have never liked me or thought I was good enough for your son. Now that I’m out of his life and yours, you are still here? Have you not tormented me enough?”
Chapter 30
Carolina stared as Janice blinked and then opened her mouth to say something. When she couldn’t find the words she slammed her lips shut and stormed back inside.
Carolina sat there unmoving. Her heart was beating like a rabbit in her chest.
She couldn’t believe she’d just spoken to her ex-mother-in-law like that, not when she’d been taught better by her mother. Carolina had always treated Janice with kindness even when Janice had been emotionally cruel.
All those years of shoving down her emotions had come out when she fell victim to Janice’s verbal attack.
With trembling hands she reached for her tea.
Phoenix laid his head on her thigh as if sensing her emotions.
She smiled and rubbed his head, glad for his compassion.
Guilt suddenly seeped into her chest. Her mother wouldn’t have approved of what she’d said.
“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you. ~Matthew 5:44 ”
She could almost hear her mother’s voice as she read the Bible scripture.
No matter what had happened between her and Chris, she shouldn’t have spoken to Janice that way. Even if Janice deserved it.
She stood and gathered her teacup. As much as she hated to go inside she knew she must.
