“True. I married your son.”
Wow. I can’t believe I said that. When did I grow balls? Oh, right, the day I had my fill of Travis and his mother.
“Well, I never…” Celeste is surprised by my comeback, but I’m sure it’ll be short-lived.
My attention returns to Travis. “What do you want?”
“You won’t return my calls or text messages, so I took the time to drive all the way here to give you this.” It’s the payment book for my car.
I’ve already called my lawyer. She was supposed to deal with this, but this all takes time. “My attorney is handling this.”
“Yeah, well…” He smiles his smarmy smile. “I figured it best if we talked. Just the two of us.” He glares at Nate.
Funny how “Just the two of us” includes Barbie and his mother but not Nate. “It was. In the divorce decree I paid your tuition and supported you while you got your degree––” I nod at the payment book. “Now, you get to pay for my car.”
“Well, you see, Pru––” His mother has taken the steps needed to get in front of Travis. “He can’t afford that car payment.” She glances back at Barbie. “Now that he’s got a family to provide for.”
I look around Celeste to Travis, then at Barbie. Her palm is on her flat stomach. “She’s pregnant?” I’m asking Travis who, not surprisingly, looks a bit guilty.
“Yes.” Celeste beams. “And we couldn’t be more thrilled. Won’ttheyhave beautiful children?” God, the woman really knows how to twist the knife, doesn’t she? Deep down, I know having a child with Travis would have been the worst decision in the world, but it doesn’t mean those words don’t gut me.
I feel Nate’s hand squeeze my shoulder. Last night, after getting home from Nate’s, I regretted telling him about my marriage and subsequent divorce. But right now, I’m glad I did because I feel like I’ve got someone in my corner, even though I know there’s nothing between him and me.
The question that keeps rolling around in my head can’t stay there––even if I already know the answer. “Were you having an affair while we were married, Travis?”
“I––”
“He never loved you.” Why does Barbie have to be here? “He complained about you all the time. Your cooking and how you never cleaned.” She looks me up and down. “Hereallyhated how you let yourself go.”
My mouth is agape. I feel the burn of tears, but I refuse to show these jackholes any emotion. Ignoring the other digs, I focus on the one that chafes me the most. “You complained about howIcleaned our home?” I’m turning red, and I feel the heat rise up into my cheeks. “You never lifted a finger, Travis. I worked as much or more as you did. Why was that my sole responsibility in the first place? If the house wasn’t to your liking––King Travis…” I raise my hand and shake my head. “No. I’m not going there.” I glare at him. “How long were you screwing her before I asked for a divorce?” I point at the twit behind him.
“A year and a half,” Barbie answers. “He wanted to start sooner than that, but I wasn’t sure about having a relationship with a married man.”
“You know what…” Nate speaks and points at Barbie. “Youneed to shut the hell up. This conversation is between Prudence and that asshole.” His finger moves to the right and directs at Travis.
“I can’t believe you’re seeinghim.” Travis has changed the subject.
“This conversation is over.” I gesture toward the door. “You need to leave. If you have something you need to say, it’ll go through our attorneys. Do not darken my doorstep again.”
Taking the car payment book from Travis, Celeste says, “We’ll just leave this on the counter.”
“No.” Nate is the one to speak. “You do, and I’ll shove it up this prick’s ass.” There goes his big pointer finger again.
Celeste looks shocked. “Do not speak to my son in that way.”
“I wasn’t. I was talkin’ to you, mommy dearest.”
“Mo-Mommy dearest?”
I’ve never seen that color on a person’s face before. Magenta. Celeste is furious.
“Prudence’s attorney will contact yours. In the meantime, you keep right on paying for that car.” Nate points at the booklet. “You get me?”
The trio turn to go, but as usual, Celeste has the last word. “This isn’t over.”
I hear the bell chime and then the door shut, and that’s when I let the tears fall. I don’t even care that Nate can see them. Instead of telling me to stop crying, like Travis used to do, I feel his big arms wrap me up and pull me in close.
“I’m sorry” is all he says or so it seemed. “That guy is a fucking waste of space. And his mother is a piece of shit.”
