“Yeah, something like that.” I sighed, pushing my plate away. “He’s someone who enjoys a less than mainstream existence, which would be fine except that I have two little ones who need security and a steady life. I have to think of them first. And Grady’s not the guy for us.”
“He might step up. If you ask him,” Mark said.
“And what about this friend of yours? What’s so complicated about it?”
Pink crept up his neck. “She used to date my brother.”
“Your brother. Okay, yes, that does make it complicated. Why did they break up?”
“He died.”
“Oh my goodness, Mark, I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks. We got close after that—comforting each other. It’s been two years and, well, what kind of man falls for his dead brother’s girlfriend?”
“A human one.”
Madison came running back, climbing into the chair next to me. “Mommy, there’s a Nemo fish in that tank.”
An announcement came over the speaker. “Dr. Brenner, please report to pediatrics.”
“That’s me,” Mark said.
“Yes, go. We should get back too.” I stood, gathering our trash.
Mark stood too. “I’m glad we ran into each other. It helps to know what’s really going on.”
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out. I wish they could.”
“I wish that too.”
“But the heart wants what it wants,” I said, smiling despite the ache in my chest.
“Divine timing, right?” Mark crouched down to Madison’s level. “It’s nice to meet you, young lady. You take care of your mom, okay?”
“How?” Madison asked.
“Just by being you,” Mark said, standing. “Bye, Esme.” He held out his hand to squeeze mine. “You let me know if you ever need anything. Anything at all.”
“I will. And the same goes for you too.”
He gave me a sad smile and then hurried away, out of the cafeteria and into the hallway. When he reached the entryway, he turned back and gave me a little wave. And then he was gone.
“Mommy, what’s the matter?” Madison asked, looking up at me.
“Nothing. Let’s get out of here. I have a lot to do at the shop. You’re going to have to hang out with me there today.”
“Can I go back to school tomorrow?” Madison asked as we headed toward the exit.
“Yes. Now that we have the doctor’s approval,” I said.
We walked down the long hallway to the parking garage, my mind cluttered with too many thoughts and my heart with too many feelings. Regardless, I needed to set them aside and get back to the shop. I had bills to pay.
That night,I stood at the stove stirring pasta sauce while water boiled for spaghetti. Given everything, it was the best I could come up with. Fortunately, both my kids loved pasta.
Madison sat at the table with her Barbie coloring book, tongue poking out in concentration as she colored a mermaid’s tail bright purple. Robbie was across from her, chemistry textbook open, taking notes.
I added oregano to the sauce, tasted it and decided it needed salt. I reached for the shaker.
