“How are my girls today?”
I smile. “Good. Caroline finally fell asleep.”
“Long morning?”
“Yeah, we just got home from the park. We had lunch with Rachel and Miss Priss threw a fit when we left so she ended up crying herself to sleep on the way home. She wears me out.”
Linc chuckles. “I can’t wait to see her. I bet she’s grown so much since Easter. You need to bring me some recent pictures when you come visit.”
My heart races as dread settles like an anchor in my stomach. I knew it was coming. I’ve even planned out exactly what I am going to say, but now that I can hear the hope in his voice, my courage falters.
“How’s your day been?” I ask, sidestepping his comment.
He exhales a long breath. One I can feel all the way down to my bones. “Tired as hell. They got me on the dozer so it’s not too bad but it’s hot as hell here and I’m workin’ twelve-hour days. The damn humidity is gonna kill me.”
“You better stay hydrated,” I tell him with a nervous laugh.
“You better pack light clothes when you come see me in two weeks.” The sound of hope in his voice crushes my soul. “I can’t wait to show you around and introduce you to my band. They are so sick of me talkin’ about you and Caroline.”
Silence fills the line and he lets go of a long sigh. “You didn’t talk to him, did you?” The weight of his disappointment is not spared with this question.
“I was going to but…”
“But what? I haven’t seen you in months. Your mom already said she’d help out with Caroline. I don’t see what the problem is.”
“Linc, please.”
“I need you here. I’m not sure I can do this without you. This is the biggest night of my life.”
My heart aches. I want to be there for him. I know how important this is to him. He’s snagged a coveted spot on open mic night at the Bluebird Café, which is huge for a singer and songwriter. It is his first real chance at being discovered.
“Linc, of course you can do it without me. You’re gonna blow them all away. Trust me, you don’t need me to be there to accomplish that.”
“Yeah, but it won’t mean shit if you’re not here.” Another long sigh and his pained voice grows harder. “Why can’t you just tell him you’re going and that’s it?”
“Because he’s not going to let me come.”
“Why?”
“Linc.”
“Goddamn it, Syl. Why?” he barks.
I tense at his demanding tone. He’s never spoken to me this way and it pisses me off.
“Because he doesn’t want us to be friends anymore,” I toss out carelessly.
And the second I say the words, I immediately want to take them back.
I hate that I’m hurting him but I need to start being honest with myself, even if that means upsetting him. The dynamics of our relationship has changed and we must start accepting that.
“You were mine first, damn it!” I hear a loud crack in the background, and I squeeze my eyes shut against it, trying not to think about what he just hit.
Might as well have been my heart though, because Lord knows it’s in a million pieces right now.
“He’s my husband. I chose this, Linc.”
“No, you didn’t choose anything. Youacceptedit. There’s a big fuckin’ difference. I gave you an out. You wouldn’t take it.”
