“Yeah. That part really sucks, but let’s not let it rain on our parade.”
“Oh, for real. After this past week, I almost kissed my car when I saw it.”
I hear her microwave beep. “What happened?”
“I told you about grocery shopping with Slade.” My stomach stirs, reliving it.
“Sarah, people understand money can be tight, especially when you’re working and attending school while being the best mom ever. It’s a lot. You should be so damn proud of yourself.”
I open the oven door to peek at the nuggets, thinking about reminding her that she’s never known what it’s like to hide your lunch at school because there’s hardly anything in it, or had to choose between seeing the dentist and buying groceries. Some things others will never understand, and I’m glad for that.
“I had to ride with my boss to the courthouse.”
“You got to go to court?” she asks with her mouth full. “How was it?”
I peek around the doorway at the kids. Ollie lies on his stomach, surrounded by airplanes, and Frankie is standing at the couch, bobbing up and down to the music. I smile.
“It was. . .ok.”
“That doesn’t sound very enthusiastic.”
“I helped gather information on our client’s assets, and I imagine she’ll be awarded half of everything, including her ex’s business investments and equity.”
“Look at you already kicking ass and taking names.”
“But then I found out she cheated with his best friend.”
“It’s like daytime drama. Tell me more.”
“That’s it really. It was eye-opening. Helped me see that maybe this lawyer stuff isn’t always about justice or equality, but more. . .who’s better prepared and makes a stronger argument.”
I’m still sorting through that revelation and what it means.
“Then Griffin dropped me off to get my car, and it was the strangest thing. I think he and Slade have some kind of issue with each other.”
“Sounds like two egos having trouble fitting into the same room. We should have thrown my dad in there to see who’d suffocate first.”
The oven timer goes off, and I hit the button, grabbing a mitt. “I don’t know. Slade is really blunt and. . .guarded, but not arrogant.”
“Maybe your boss screwed him over or something.”
I pull the nuggets out. “Maybe. All I know is, I’m happy to come and go of my own free will now.”
“Have you heard from Miles?” Her water runs and shuts off.
It’s the dreaded question.
“He’s moving to New York and told me it’s up to me how this goes.”
“That narcissistic dick.” The accuracy of her words makes me smile. “What do you think that means?”
I put three nuggets on Ollie’s plate and two on Frankie’s, cutting hers into little pieces.
“It means what it always means with him. It’s a tactic to get me toreconsider things.” I set the plates on the table. “He’ll continue to withhold child support and issue some crazy demand I’ll have to meet in order for him to actually pay it.” I fill my cheeks with air and blow it out. “He said he’s visiting in a few weeks. I guess I’ll find out then.”
“Ugh. Can I be there? I’ll punch him in the throat and then take a sickle to his lying, cheating balls. I’d like to see him go on air after that.”
“At this point, I don’t want anything from him. We’re getting by, but I have to know what this move means for Ollie and Frankie. I owe it to them.”
