The next morning, I saw Liam’s message.
“I have a fever. Can you come down? I’m
downstairs.”
I texted, “You should buy some medicine.”
I was working on a new project, and I wanted
to make a good start.
I was working until someone asked, “Where’s
the guy who drives you?”
Liam didn’t pick me up.
He was probably done.
Dave called and told me that Liam had a
fever, crashed his car into a light pole, and
was at the hospital.
L
“You can take care of him. No one else can.”
“He’s a grownup. He can hire a nurse.”
Dave was surprised. “You weren’t like this
before!”
Before, I would’ve been checking on Liam all
day.
I would call him to remind him to take his
medicine.
He said, “I’m not a kid. I don’t need you to
remind me.”
Then I heard Chloe in the background.
“You’re so clingy!”
Liam said, “Stop texting me. I don’t have time
to read them.”
I sighed. “I have to work. Gotta go.”
Liam called me.
His voice was weak. “Can you visit me?”
“We’re divorced,” I said.
“Can’t you visit me as a friend?”
“We’re not that close.”
He didn’t say anything. I hung up.
A few days later, Liam was at my office. He
had a bruise on his face.
<
“Want to have dinner?”
I said, “I thought I made myself clear.”
He grabbed me. “It’s my birthday! Did you
forget?”
I had forgotten.
I never forgot before.
Last year was his 30th birthday. I planned it
all out.
I invited some friends.
He said he would be home early.
I waited by the elevator with confetti.
<
When he got upstairs, I yelled “Happy
birthday!” and set off the confetti.
Liam frowned and shielded Chloe, making
sure no confetti touched her.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m celebrating your birthday.”
“I don’t like this stuff.”
Liam invited everyone inside and left me
standing there.
I pushed Liam away. “I have plans with
friends.”
“You don’t care about my birthday?”
<
“I have a new life. You should move on.”
He hugged me.
“Please forgive me. I sent Chloe away, and I
haven’t contacted her.”
I laughed. “I don’t care anymore.‘
He let go and looked confused.
He realized that I wasn’t playing a game.
I said goodbye.
“I have to move on.”
