“He’s fine. His gout’s been acting up, but otherwise fine. Still working.”
My dad had worked in a pharmacy the last few decades. He was in charge of non-pharmaceutical inventory and dealt with deliveries.
“That’s good. Working, I mean.”
“Uh-huh,” my mom grumbled.
I wasn’t sure how this woman was the daughter of my grandmother who I’d loved so much, or my own mother. The kindness fairy had skipped over her or something.
“Anyway, I wanted to call because I’m getting a divorce. It all just happened, but Tommy is helping to push things along. Since neither of us are contesting, it may be over soon.”
I didn’t mention how Tommy and I had talked on the phone late Saturday night, and he’d been willing to overlook my fault—the adultery I hadn’t admitted to—for my silence on his fault. In other words, if I kept quiet on his abusive behavior, he wouldn’t contest a no-fault divorce with everything I needed in the settlement. I’d agreed because I wanted out. I needed to put this sunset behind me and look forward to the sun coming up on a new day.
Mom sniffed. “Sounds like you rushed into this whole thing. You know, God is looking down at you and disappointed. I told you a vow is a vow, no matter how difficult it became.”
Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. “I know, but this is what we both want. The marriage is broken and can’t be fixed. It’s what’s best for Priscilla.”
“If you want to tell yourself that. Anyway, you know how I feel, and that’s it. I’ll tell your father. ’Bye, Margaret.”
And just like that, my own mother hung up, dismissing me.
Sliding my phone over in my lap, I breathed deeply. I guessed shorter was better when it came to the call with my mom, and now it was over. With ten minutes to spare until the meeting started, I decided a drink was in order.
Once I had a glass of wine in hand, I texted Priscilla to check in. Her response came back quickly.
Mom, I’m fine. Promise. Xo
Her response was short and sweet, but thexomade my heart ache. At least I’d taught my daughter to be caring and affectionate, despite my marrying the male equivalent of my mom.
I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. A therapist would have a field day with me. Lucky them, I didn’t have time right now.
The meeting went well enough.
No one asked me anything personal, which meant the gossip network hadn’t picked up anything yet on me. With Sheila as my guard dog and Tommy on lockdown for fear of his own reputation, I felt pretty settled in my status.
I got home in time to see Penny putting her coat on downstairs before Peter picked her up, and thanked her about twelve times.
“We watchedMean Girls,” she told me, laughing. “It’s funny for an old movie.”
This made me roll my eyes.
“We love Priss,” she added. “All of us. I’m sorry about what happened.”
“It was an accident,” I told her, and realized by the confused look on her face that wasn’t what she meant.
“Oh,” I said, gathering my thoughts. “I’m sorry that you girls have to know about this,” I said honestly.
If I knew one thing, it was that Priscilla needed her friends, so she could feel free to confide and share her feelings with who she wanted. She’d bottled up enough as it was.
“Priss seems okay,” Penny said with a shrug. “I mean, she seems like she’s processing it all okay. My mom asked me to check in, so I hope you don’t mind.”
I leaned over and gave her a squeeze. “You know what a silver lining is, Pen?”
She nodded. “A lucky circumstance from something terrible or hard.”
“Exactly. Priscilla and I didn’t have many good friends before this, and finding out how lucky we are to have you and your mom is a silver lining to this tragedy.”
She smiled. “I hope so.”
