2
He spoke, with a hint of awkward approval.
“It works. I’ll wear it to the dinner tonight.”
<
8:51
He hesitated, then added.
((
37
“Send me your address. I’ll have the anniversary jewelry sent over.”
1
I said, “No thanks. My taste isn’t the same as Heather’s.”
Heather was Jason’s high school sweetheart.
She’d come back into the picture, becoming Jason’s personal assistant.
She now decided everything from his travel schedule to gifts.
Jason’s tone turned icy when I mentioned Heather.
“What are you? Don’t compare yourself to
Heather.”
I chuckled to myself.
<
8:51
(
37
“You’re right. I’m not worthy. That’s why I don’t want you wasting good stuff on me.”
Jason didn’t know what to say.
I glanced at the clock, then said.
“Have Heather schedule a date for you to go to
the courthouse to finalize the divorce.
Text me the date when you know, no need to call.”
I hung up, but Jason changed the subject.
“Mikey’s right here, he wants to say something.”
I immediately ended the call before Mikey could open his mouth.
I hung up as quickly and decisively as Mikey
had blocked me.
<
8:51
I put the phone down, took Grandma Betty’s
hand, and watched her favorite old western.
When I was pregnant with Mikey, I always imagined having a daughter.
37
Even though that didn’t happen, I treated Mikey like gold and tried to be the best mom.
Before he turned six, Mikey planted a little tree
in the backyard for the cartoon cat that died.
When he was in kindergarten, he’d steal a red star and put it on my ear when I wasn’t looking after school.
Later, Jason started taking Mikey to the family mansion more often.
After he turned eight, Mikey stopped crying and
laughing.
He started saying Grandma Betty’s old house
<
8:51
was worse than the new buildings in the city.
He told me.
“Did you grow up in a place like this? That’s
why Grandma always thought you were
second–rate.”
37
My best friend, Amy’s, daughter was holding a
piece of cheesecake up to my mouth, which
brought me back to the present.
Amy grinned.
“Now you owe me. You have to go see my
daughter’s sports game now!”
