He pushes off and falls on his butt at the bottom but jumps up and claps. “Mommy!”
“Way to go!” She smiles as the bubbly voice she used earlier returns for a second. “He’s been trying to gain the courage to do that for weeks.” She lifts the baby and places him on her shoulder. “My husband is everything I ever wanted, my end goal. Comes from a wealthy family, prestigious pedigree, great job, he’s handsome… but underneath that country club exterior is the sweetest person I’ve ever met. He knows my story and doesn’t judge me. He truly loves me for me and not the superficial girl he met at that frat party.”
I lean back on the bench. This is why I do this podcast, because I never would have thought this was her story. I was looking for a mom who looked like her life had always been on a perfect path to lend me some wisdom on how I’m to navigate this new path I find myself on.
“So you really did get your happily ever after.” I smile at her.
She laughs. “Believe me, I love my family and my life, but when I was younger and imagined it, there were no bad days. I imagined myself waking up refreshed and me being the patient mom who always explained things calmly to her kids. That’s not what my life is. But even when it’s crazy and the baby won’t calm down and the other two kids are fighting, or when I’m salty at my husband for coming home late, I would never trade it for anything. I’m not sure if that’s because I know what it’s like on the other side or if this is just what I was meant to do. I’m sure some women think I’m a sellout. That we could hire a nanny, and I could want more for myself. I feel their judgment sometimes. But in the end, I’m happier than I’ve ever been and isn’t that what life is about… being happy?”
I wipe a tear about to fall from my eyes. “Yes, absolutely. That’s the point of life for sure.”
“And I hope I’m making good humans too.” She glances at her toddler, who is still smiling, and I wonder if it’s because he conquered one of his fears.
“Thank you so much for talking to me.”
“Sorry about being so fake in the beginning. It’s an old habit sometimes, but you really got me to spill my guts, and now when—or if—this airs, people will know my past.”
“I won’t air it if you don’t want me to. Or I could keep you anonymous.”
She shakes her head. “Nah. It’s about time I tell my truth. For my sake and theirs. They need to learn that they’re enough no matter what they endure. Learn to survive and that there’s always something good coming after the bad.”
Lex lowers the camera, and even she is no longer giving me those this was a bad idea eyes.
“Thanks again.” I pull out my card and hand it to Amelia. “Here’s my card, and if you want to give Lex your info, we’ll be in touch when it airs. If you change your mind, just let me know.”
She takes my card and slips it into the pocket of the stroller. “I won’t. Man, when I woke up this morning, I thought I’d go get a coffee, head to the park, and have my usual day. I didn’t think I’d be divulging all of this to a complete stranger. But it feels freeing.” Amelia turns to me as she places the baby back in the stroller. “What a great job you have. Freeing people from the truth they keep chained down.”
“It only works with courageous people like you.”
We say goodbye to her, and on our way out of the park, neither of us says anything. I think we’re both reflecting on the story we just heard.
But then my phone vibrates.
I pull it out of my pocket and look at the screen. “It’s Jarrah.”
We both stop as I answer and put it on speaker phone. I’ve been waiting for her call for a week.
“Hey, Jarrah.”
“They’re biting…”
My shoulders sink, and Lex’s lips thin. “That’s all?”
“Hey, they’re the biggest streaming platform on the planet, give me a break. They’re willing to commit. They just need one more thing from you…”
My forehead wrinkles. “What is it?”
Lex perks up, staring at the phone.
“They want you to interview five celebrities. They think this everyday people thing won’t work?—”
“But—”
“I know, Callie. I told them, but they have a point. After the tour last year, people are more familiar with you, and if you can’t get an authentic story, then what’s the point? They think you need to up the caliber of your guests. Intersperse public figures with the general public. So they want proof you can get five people with a public persona to talk to you, which shouldn’t be a problem. You have an ace in your pocket.”
“Hayes,” Lex whispers.
I nod, already knowing who Jarrah is referring to. It’s been a constant in my life as Hayes’s younger sister—everyone sees a way I can use and abuse him to get what I want.
