Will: I will talk to her. Let’s not make this a thing.
I thought about texting her about having the kids meet her boyfriend before running it by me. I decided Kelly would then definitely escalate things and I didn’t need the headache.
When Madison woke up, I threw some frozen waffles in the toaster and laid out some orange juice and strawberries for her.
“Hey, so your mom wants you home today. It’s going to get me in trouble if you don’t go back.”
She looked at me, narrowing her eyes. “Didn’t you talk to her and tell her I have no interest in meeting this guy, Jeff?”
I wasn’t sure how to respond. “I’m really just the messenger,” I managed.
Kelly kept calling both our phones until Madison finally called her back. I heard her voice grow whiny and mad and then a final loud, “Fine!” from her end.
After that, she gave me a quick hug and gathered her things. “Dad, I know I’ve been hard on you, but you’re not all bad.”
I chuckled. “Not all bad, huh? You can talk to me anytime. I know this is hard on you guys, especially you, and I’m always here for you.”
I opened the door of her little white Audi A3, the one I’d bought for her birthday. I stood there with a brief wave and watched until her car disappeared.
Just like that, I was alone again.
I metmy parents for dinner at the club. The food was good, the conversation less so.
“Look at Jessica,” my mom said, sliding a folded piece of paper toward me. “Suzanna and Robert Chote’s daughter. Recently divorced. No kids. Very put together.”
“Nice family,” my dad added, as if reading from a cue card.
I took the little paper with her number on it and nodded like I was interested. I wasn’t planning on calling her. Not when I couldn’t stop thinking about Natalie. The way everything shifted when she was near.
I was starting to wonder if I would hear from her again. There was the possibility that she decided she was better off staying in her marriage. Maybe almost getting caught byMadison was a wake-up call to her. Maybe she was hitting the emergency brake.
And then a few days later, I finally heard from her. Not a text. A formal email.
Subject: Kids Room Install-Friday
Hi Will,
I found a few more pieces I think will work well in your children’s rooms. I’ll have everything delivered this week. Would Friday around noon work for me to come by to install everything? You don’t need to be there, I just need access.
Also, I will be dropping off some additional samples later today, if that’s okay with you.
Best,
Natalie
I wrote back immediately.
Hi Natalie,
Thanks for the update. Everything sounds good. I will be home on Friday and would like to be there when you come by if that works. Noon is perfect.
And yes, feel free to drop off the samples later today. I’ll be around.
Will
This felt like we were playing a game and neither of us knew the rules.
I wondered if she would show up as business Natalie… or the version of her that had nearly undone me in the kitchen.
