I was still sitting in a wheelchair during rehab.
“You still need to heal! It was a big injury.”
I agreed.
Being taken care of was a feeling.
Now I know why Greg didn’t want me to
leave.
Ten years of caring was hard to replace.
I didn’t need him.
I was getting ready to go back to the lab
when Greg was at my door.
He brought Tyler, who was crying.
I opened the door, and Tyler hugged me.
L
“You’re the bad guy! Why did you leave?”
“Your dad and I looked everywhere for you!”
I pushed Tyler away. “Don’t do that. I don’t
like kids.”
Tyler was shocked.
I never refused anything before.
Tyler started crying.
“You’re not the same.”
I didn’t even look at him. “You said it, that
was before.”
Greg didn’t yell.
“Amy, you’re still mad. Just yell at him.”
“Tyler hurt you. Punish him. Then come
home.”
I got colder.
“You guys are deaf. I didn’t say I wanted to
go back.”
I went to walk away, but Greg held me.
“I’m sorry. I messed up. I didn’t react in time.”
Yeah. ten vears of being mean to me had
く
become a habit.
Greg was finally apologetic.
A guy like Greg never said sorry to anyone.
Not even to Ashley.
I shrugged him off. “Don’t waste your time.”
“Ashley is already home. Why would you bring
me back?”
I guess Ashley and Greg fixed their marriage.
Tyler got his real mom back.
Greg was silent.
Tyler started crying.
“She’s gone. She stole dad’s money and ran
away.”
“She abused me.”
“I’m a bastard. I was worthless to her and she
left.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I messed up.”
“I know getting hurt is bad. I shouldn’t have
pushed you.”
Greg pulled out a ring and knelt down.
く
“Amy, now I know who loves me.”
“Come back. I’ll give you a big marriage and
you’ll be my wife.”
Everything I had wanted was offered to me.
It didn’t mean anything.
I turned around and walked away.
“I’m not taking leftovers.”
Greg tried to follow me, but the security
guard stopped him.
I was a little late to the lab.
Everyone was okay with it.
They said something about a crazy ex, David
frowned. “The security isn’t good here.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll help you move so no one
bothers you.”
Before I answered, Greg was here.
“I’m her husband!”
Greg was angry.
He glared at David. “You’re sleeping with my
wife.”
<
Greg wasn’t able to answer.
He said, “I’ll change.”
“I’ll treat Amy better.”
I said, “I don’t want to.”
“Greg, I wasted ten years on you.”
Greg wobbled. “You have to give me another
chance.”
“Like I gave you.”
I was confused. “You gave me a chance?”
Greg looked at me.
“You ran away. If Ashley didn’t show up, I
would have been a joke.”
I frowned, and David said, “You grew up with.
her. Don’t you know what she’s like?”
“She wanted to find you, so she left the
project and her family locked her in a
basement.”
“Find out who ruined you.”
Greg was silent. “Are you saying Amy didn’t
leave me?”
く
I didn’t answer, but said, “That was a long
time ago.”
“I want you to stop coming to me.”
Tyler started crying.
“Mom, don’t leave me.”
I knelt and dried his tears.
“This is my last lesson.”
“You need to deal with the consequences.‘
I went into the lab.
I didn’t look at the two people behind me.
11
They sent an apology video from my parents.
I turned it off.
The lab got funding for me.
I took it.
That was their debt.
We started the project.
On the day of the presentation, I spoke on
behalf of the lab.
Greg and Tvler were in the audience.
rey an
fter the show, they sent flowers.
There was a card from Tyler.
Mom, congratulations. You said you don’t
belong with us.”
I smiled and put the card away.
The ten years had ended.
Now, I have a brand new life.
