“And you thought I was gross for staying with a man who treated me like that,” I guessed. No wonder my relationship with my son had been distant. He had lost respect for me, but I hadn’t known why. Now I did. I didn’t know if our relationship could be repaired, but I wanted to try.
“I’m so sorry, Mom. I hated living in a family full of lies. I didn’t know the lies were only coming from Dad. I guess I judged you wrong all these years.”
“That’s my fault. I shouldn’t have been so stupid, and I’m sorry I didn’t protect you, Jamie. A mother is supposed to protect her child. Can we start fresh? Is that possible?”
“I’d love that. How about I come visit for Fourth of July weekend?”
“Wait until you see my bungalow. You’re going to love it! I’ll make you meatloaf and macaroni and cheese and ambrosia for dessert.”
Jamie laughed. It had been a long time since he had laughed with me, and it felt good. Maybe we really could heal our relationship and grow closer. “I’m actually on a diet. I only eat clean. Lots of chicken breasts and egg whites.”
Oh, geez.
“Well, I can make that, too, if you want.”
“Hey, Mom,” Jamie started, his voice turned serious. “Do you have a lawyer?”
“No. Your father drew up divorce papers, though. I’m supposed to sign them. I don’t have a choice because he put everything in his name during our marriage.”
“Oh, Mom. None of that matters. Don’t worry. You’re in luck. I happen to know a very good lawyer, and he only charges a meatloaf and macaroni and cheese dinner.”
“Does that mean you’re going to be my lawyer and you’re going to eat my cooking?”
“Nothing would make me happier.”
After I got off the phone with my son, I was on cloud nine. I danced around the house for twenty minutes. I was overjoyed that I had had a real heart-to-heart with him and that I was going to see him on the Fourth of July.
After I finally stopped dancing, I called my best friend Destiny.
“Aloha, girl!” she sang into the phone. “I’m back from paradise and need a girl session. I don’t want to go back to work! I want to live in a Hawaiian Resort! Being an adult is so unfair.”
“Steve left me, he took my house, I filled Tight Tammy’s house with poop, I made out with a Marine, I rented a bungalow, and I made two chairs,” I told her in one breath.
“Holy shit. Text me your address. I’ll be right there. Should I bring pajamas? I have a feeling we’re going to have to talk about this for at least twelve hours.”
“Yes. Bring your pajamas. You might even want to bring two pairs and a toothbrush. This is a pretty long story.”
“I’m so sorry, honey. That bastard Steve.”
“Spoiler alert,” I said. “The long story has a happy ending.”
CHAPTER 16
“A Very Happy Beginning”
Joe came into the studio with some papers in his hand. “Three more orders for chairs,” he announced.
I got up from my work making a chair. Since moving in, I had taken up a large portion of the art studio bungalow with my crafting. But ever since I sold a couple at the local outdoor market a week ago, I had gotten a lot of orders, and I was running out of room.
“How will I get it all done?” I worried.
“Jenny told me yesterday that she’d like to help you and get in on the business. She’s very good with the admin side of things. You know, like with social media and Excel spreadsheets,” Joe said.
“Really? That would be a lifesaver.” Having a business partner would make me feel much more confident, and I liked Jenny. In the two weeks that I lived there, we had become good friends.
“And I was thinking you could move into the barn on the far side of the property for chair production,” Joe added. “The barn needs some cleaning up, but the roof is solid. Let’s go over there, and you can check it out.”
I dusted myself off, and we went outside. A warm breeze blew the scent of wildflowers, and I inhaled it happily. Besides a cup of coffee, I had forgotten to eat this morning, and when we passed Paul’s kitchen, my stomach growled.
