Yeah, because I was taking the kids potty while you played Candy Crush.Did you forget to mention that?
“And don’t let his good looks fool you; he eats like a pig and snores like one, too.”
This was after I’d gotten over a miserable cold that made breathing and sleeping an impossible combo. Forget the TLC I gave her every time she sneezed; I was on my own.
I think I stayed for the kids. I fell in love with Gabrielle because she was ambitious, serious minded, and witty with that sharp tongue of hers. I just didn’t realize I’d soon become her number-one target.
Not that she was ever sweet and adoring the way Ashley was. Curt and condescending was more like it, but I probably wasn’t worthy of that type of love anyway. And maybe I didn't trust myself to call the shots in another relationship after I obliterated the first one. Or, at the very least, if things did go awry, I didn't want to be the person responsible for it.
I hit the shower as soon as I get home and, since I'm too riled to sleep, grab the food-stained book off the coffee table and head straight to the den. With our faithful collie Fifi (you can guess who lost that coin toss) anxiously circling my feet, I pour myself a modest shot of whiskey; I deserve it for putting up with whatever’s in this book.
The moment I plop into my lounge chair, Fifi leaps like a lemur onto my lap and makes herself comfy by curling into her favorite form—the kidney bean.
I flip open the page to read the intro:
Hello there, Hurt, I’m Healed. It's nice to meet you.
I used to be you. That is to say that, though my name has always been Barry Brown, I went through a season where I wasn’t myself anymore.
I wasn't Barry with the incredible wife and the great job in finances.
I wasn’t Barry, happy father of three rowdy girls and two doting dogs.
No, I became Barry-and-his-hurt-heart. Some men go off to war, come back, and wear pins or badges of honor. They’ve been in the trenches, and they deserve due respect.
I was in a different sort of trench, which left me with a broken heart I wore like a badge of honor. I wanted everyone I encountered to know just what I had endured.
I take a pause, open the flap of the hardcover’s slip, and fold it over to mark my page. I was going to get through the intro before rewarding myself with a sip, but I grasp the glass early, bring it to my lips, and tip it back short and fast. I gulp, smear away a drip with the back of my hand, and smile ruefully as I notice new splotches on the cover.
I flip open the book and yank the recline lever on the side of my chair. Fifi readjusts, digging her small claws into my legs as punishment for disrupting her.
“Me and my hurt heart, huh?" I set my eyes on the spot where I left off and shake my head. “That's rich."
CHAPTER EIGHT
Ashley
“You are not going to believe what happened to me,” I tell my sister on the phone while I drive to work.
“You got struck by Nini’s wheelchair?” Annica guesses.
“I’m becoming ayesgirl!”
It goes cricket quiet. “Hello?” I prompt. “Did you hear me?”
“Ash, I hate to break this to you, but you’vebeena yes girl for a while now. You agree with everything Ross says whether you want to or not.”
My brow furrows. “Hmm.” Maybe that was the wrong term. I check the rear and side views and flick on my blinker. “Not yes tohim,Annica. Yes to me and all the things I haven’t let myself do.”
I switch lanes and accelerate to pass the slow van in front of me.
“Oooh, I like it. What are you going to say yes to?”
“I’m glad you asked. I’m saying yes to selling the Camry, yes to getting a new job, and yes to moving into the city.” I go on to tell her about the video clip Lucy showed me last night and howit spoke to my very soul. By the time I pull into the office parking lot, I realize Annica hasn’t said a whole lot back.
“So?” I say. “Aren’t you proud of me?”
“I will be,” Annica says plainly.
