Mom’s waiting in the park downstairs. She smiles when I pull in, giving both boys kisses before letting them run to the swings.
I drop their overnight bags at her feet and lean in to kiss her cheek.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, baby,” she says, squishing my cheek.
I could easily stand to my full height to stop her, but right now… it feels good. So I let her.
“Everything okay, baby?” she asks, smoothing my hair back.
I step back and look at her face. I know she’s aged since I was a kid, but to me she’s always been this, pretty and sharp and somehow always seeing more than she says.
Hesitantly, I say, “I get why you and Dad waited until Darren turned eighteen to split.”
Her expression shifts immediately.
“So you and Jessica are…?”
“She’s offered to move out,” I admit, my tone bordering on hysterics.
Mom sighs. “Well. I can’t say I’m not relieved.”
“Mom.”
“What? I never liked her,” she says bluntly. “I like her even less now. To cheat on my son and then lie about it.”
“Mom,” I say louder. “Can you not talk like that in front of the boys? We haven’t told them yet.”
“Of course I know that,” she says.
“Do you?” I ask.
“Yes,” she snaps lightly. Then, calmer, “Now, do you have a lawyer? Mine was great. I can get you her number.”
“Ma,” I sigh.
“What?” she says. “Oh, don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts.”
“I…” I trail off.
She straightens. “Logan. If you haven’t forgiven her yet, you’re not going to. Just accept it and… move on.”
“Move on?” I scoff.
“Well, obviously that’ll take time,” she says briskly. “First you have to hash out custody and lawyers but once this is behind you, and you no longer have to look at her 24/7, you’ll see-.”
“Okay, Ma,” I cut in, not wanting to hear her map out the end of my marriage. “I’m gonna head home.”
Before getting in my car, I turn back.
“You know Manuel told me to cut my losses too.”
Her jaw goes slack.
I don’t stick around to hear how dare I bring up that man in her presence.
I’m usually not that mean.
