The moment this afternoon when Henry corrected Quinn for calling a grasshopper a ladybug flashes through my mind. Julia’s right. Henry’s quick to tell it like it is. How did he not blurt this out at Quinn’s birthday party?
I gasp.
“What now?”
“No, that’s it! Henry asked me to take that picture of him in the box fort for you at the same moment Quinn’s grandmother, Caroline, showed up. She must have overheard Henry and told Rhett.”
“This Caroline gal sounds like a real meddler.”
You have no idea. After she arrived, she told me I wasno longer needed today. Like a maid she could dismiss as she pleased. I left without a scene because I didn’t want to ruin my chance of spending more time with Quinn.
I know I made up the nanny job on the spot, and then questioned what I was thinking after it spilled out of my mouth, but today was the best day I’ve had in a long time. I think Julia might be right. I’d be a good fit as Quinn’s nanny if Rhett ever offered me the job. But I’m pretty certain any potential in that scenario just launched into the sky and combusted upon atmospheric impact.
I perch on the edge of the couch, leaning on my knees and staring at the screen. “What do I say back?”
She tosses another handful of popcorn in her mouth. “The truth.”
“Right.”It felt nice to pretend for a whileis honest. I type the reply and watch the bubbles appear and disappear and reappear again while chewing on my bottom lip.
What if he’s mad?
I should have made a joke instead. That’s the kind of relationship Rhett and I have. He dishes out blunt honesty, and I make light of the situation.
EVERETT: Whose kid is it?
SUMMER: My best friend, Julia’s. The one I live with.
EVERETT: Did you borrow her wedding ring too?
My eyes flare and then flash to the gold band on my finger.
I never tookit off.
And he noticed it. How haveInot noticed it?
It’s been there since the day Brian put it on my hand. His BSU fraternity hosted a Halloween party off campus. I was invited to attend by a coworker I waited tables with. Some people might have been turned off by the last-minute notice or the costume dress code. I’d never been one to say no to a good time or a challenge. With scissors and a hot glue gun, I transformed a tea-length white dress, tulle skirt, and headband into a runaway bride situation. My outfit turned half a dozen heads at the party. It wasn’t until Brian saidYou’re missing something, that I paid attention. He unfastened a gold chain from around his neck and looped my finger with it several times.
Now you’re taken, he said.
How often has that worked on a girl?I asked.
You tell me.
The way he looked at me… I felt like the only person in the room. Iwantedto be the only person in every room he was in.
It didn’t matter that it wound well past my knuckle and made it impossible to bend my finger. When you’re young and infatuated with someone, you do stupid things. All that mattered was that he wanted me to have it. And that after six inseparable weeks, he had it melted down and asked me to wear it for the rest of my life.
Why, after everything he wanted in our divorce, did he never ask for it back?
“My ring is still on.” My thumb and pointer finger remain touching it as I look up at Julia.
“I thought you’d take it off when you were ready.” The sad look on her face is something I don’t feel. I don’tletmyself feel it. My marriage is over. If Everett wants honesty,that’sthe truth. Forgetting a ring on my finger won’t change that. I jerk it off and throw it across the room. It bounces off the stone fireplace, landingon the carpet.
I hate this gray cloud that looms over me whenever I think about Brian, so I go back to what feels comfortable.
SUMMER: No need to borrow it from her when we’re in a polyamorous relationship.
EVERETT: Do you ever take anything seriously?
