I nodded. “You’re right.”
I couldn’t believe the woman I used to see as a major helicopter parent and parents’ association mogul was giving me comforting advice. I had no clue where her understanding and compassion were coming from, or this unusual friendship. All of it caught me off guard.
“Thank you, Sheila.” Uncomfortable with the sex conversation, I changed the subject. “How is Penny? I hope she didn’t get into too much trouble. They were being kids, and she was the brave one who asked for help.”
“She’s okay. Three days of afterschool detention, and a week of no phone after seven o’clock at night at home. Peter thinks we shouldn’t punish her at all, but I needed to back up the school.”
“Oh God. Peter. Your husband, right? I think I’ve only met him once or twice. Did you tell him?”
All of a sudden, the reality of what she’d witnessed crashed down around me. Everyone would know and look at me differently.
“I didn’t go into detail. I mentioned that Tommy wasn’t who he seemed to be. A little rough around the edges, and not the kind person he projected.”
“Please, Sheila. I don’t want the gossip hounds to have any fresh meat. It wouldn’t be good for Priss.”
She shook her head. “I would never. In fact, I feel so bad about it. Had I known, I wouldn’t have told Tommy. I’m the reason he was there, and you got hurt.”
My wrist ached, still red and swollen but not broken, although it was nothing compared to my daughter’s physical and emotional injuries. She’d heard the whole battle in the hall, and then made her preferences known when she asked for Mick—a man she’d met once—over her own father.
“I’m not pressing charges,” I blurted. “The police said I could, and encouraged me to. But Tommy called late last night and said he’d provide me with the house, a good-size settlement, and will continue to pay for Priscilla’s schooling through college if I don’t make waves. I agreed. Of course, I need a lawyer ... to make sure everything I sign is kosher.”
“Are you sure?” Sheila asked.
“Yes. I want all this to be over. I want the sun to set on this chapter and rise on the next one. Does that make sense?”
“It does, but I want to be sure you don’t regret this later.”
“He needs his income to pay for Priscilla. And let’s be honest, I had my indiscretions.”
Sheila frowned. “Those don’t compare to what he did. Plus, he’s giving in so easily.”
“He is, and who the heck knows why. I don’t even care. Plus, you can’t say my indiscretion doesn’t count. It does.” I stared at my coffee mug, guilt eating me from the inside out. “I wasn’t born to be a bad person.”
“Anyone who talks to you for two seconds can tell that. Take Peter, he said you’re so kind. And me ... Jesus. I was ready to suck every bit of work you would give me on the event.”
This made us both laugh.
“Oh, we needed that,” I said, still chuckling.
“Tell me about Priscilla,” Sheila said, turning serious again. “The girls all want to visit. I hope that’s okay.”
“Well, it’ll be a big recovery for her. She’ll be out the rest of the soccer season, but back for next. I know it. As for her heart, she seems more resilient than me. She never felt close to Tommy, and didn’t even ask for him last night.”
Sheila’s face crumpled. “God, I never should have told him.”
“It’s okay, you didn’t know. To be honest, I’m shocked he even showed up.”
We both sipped at our coffee. Then Sheila opened the box and said, “Have one.”
One look at the cranberry-orange scone, and I gave in. She didn’t need to say anything more.
My phone rang as I took my first bite, and I held a finger in the air, excusing myself for a minute.
I swiped my finger over the screen to answer. “Hello?”
“Margo,” Mick said, his voice soft yet rough around the edges.
“Sheila is here,” I told him.
