“Perhaps we can revisit numbers. Gerard, would you consider twelve months?”
Gerard exhales slowly, as if deeply inconvenienced.
“I’ll think about it.”
My lawyer nods too quickly. “That’s a positive step.”
A swallow a bitter laugh. One year after I gave him twenty.
Gerard smiles thinly. “Fine. One year. Final offer. Take it or leave it.”
My mouth falls open. Is that it? That’s all I get for everything I’ve done, and for everything he’s done to me? Memories of the last few months slam into me like a tidal wave and my mouth snaps shut.
I realize I don’t want any more from him. It’s going to be hard, possibly miserable, definitely character-building, but the sooner we no longer have to rely on Gerard Applebaum, the better.
Erin
A stroll around Central Park does a little to clear my head, but the dark sense of helplessness still lingers like a bad smell.
A year is hardly anything. I can’t move Paige and me into a place of our own on the promise of just one year. Who knows if I’ll find a job that can sustain me after that money runs out?
It’s clear. We have to stay put at my mother’s until I can retrain and find a job that pays decent.
My heart sinks. I have no experience to speak of—my resume is non-existent. Who on God’s earth is going to employ a middle-aged single mom who’s hardly worked a day in her life?
My tear ducts swell but I blink them into submission. I refuse to cry. Gerard doesn’t deserve my tears, and I need to be strong for my daughter.
I remember Mallorie’s text. I’ve been putting off meeting her because I don’t know how to be around myself and my familyanymore, let alone my best friend since kindergarten. But, after that shitshow of a mediation I need someone to talk to who isn’t going to judge me or hate me for dragging her away from everything she knows.
I pull out my phone and see the missed calls—Gerard isn’t the only one who’s pissed that I left. His eldest aunt whom I probably spent more time with than my husband is finding my departure difficult. I press play and hold the hand at arm’s length. A wall of sound comes at me from the tiny device. None of it in English.
I locate the translate button for convenience and listen to the interpretation.
“Erin, when are you going to stop this nonsense and come home? Gerard misses you…”
I snort.
“Imiss you. I don’t know how to operate the dishwasher and the plates are all piling up. I had an accident in the bed, Erin. It is embarrassing. Where are the clean sheets? And the woman you organized to do my groceries, she is terrible. She shows up too early when I am not awake, and she leaves the groceries outside the door and my ice cream melts…”
Sighing, I end the message. As tempting as it is to hate myself for leaving her alone, Gerard’s aunt Katerina is not my responsibility. I have cared for her on and off for years, and though she won’t admit it, she’s perfectly capable of looking after herself.
And she knows exactly where the clean sheets are.
Still, I fire off a quick text to Gerard’s neighbor to ask if she would kindly check in on Katerina for me. It’s about time Gerard realized I did a lot more for him than laundry and raising a child.
The house feels warm when I step through the door. Laughter comes from the TV room, making my heart flutter. Ifthere’s one thing to be grateful for, it’s the fact Paige really likes my mom, and the feeling is mutual.
I place my jacket and shoes in the closet.
“Hey Mom.” Paige looks up as I enter, her usual scowl replaced by a smile.
“Hi love.” I walk across the room and give my daughter a kiss on the cheek.
“How did it go?” Mom’s bored tone gives me pause but I push it to the back of my mind.
“As well as to be expected.”
I don’t want to give her the details because whether it went well or badly, it would all be my fault. It’s for the best that I keep some information to myself.
