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When Ruby decides to take Jenna to grab some sodas from the convenience store around the corner, I decline to go with them. I want to use the time to do a thorough wipe down of the place before we start to move things in tomorrow. My phone rings from my purse that’s lying on the floor in the living room. I rush over, pushing the junk around my purse until I see the light of my phone. I feel my heart race when I see Heath’s name is flashing on the screen.

“Hey.”

“Hey back,” he says. “How are things going?”

“Good.” Ruby and Jenna walk through the front door. I mouth Heath’s name and point the phone which gets me a smile in return.

“I know you said you were supposed to be getting the keys to the condo today. I wanted to see if that happened?”

“It did.” I swallow then clear my throat. “I’m here now.”

He hesitates. “How is it?”

We haven’t talked a lot about my moving into my own place. I don’t feel comfortable doing it. I don’t think it’s not a topic that will help our marriage get back on track. He knows why I feel that I need to do this and I believe he understands. “It’s a place.”

“But not your place?”

His question throws me off.

I sigh. “Heath.”

“Whitney,” he says back. I stay silent. “I’m sorry. This isn’t the way I wanted this to go. It’s still surreal to me, that’s all. Even now with you being out of the house, for what? A little over a month? This is making this separation real.”

I look up and see both Ruby and Jenna watching me so I think better than to have this conversation in front of my daughter and head towards the room that will soon be my bedroom.

“It’s been real from the beginning,” I say as I shut the door.

“I understand, Whit. I’m trying to tell you my feelings.” He plays the feeling card. The one thing I want him to share more.

“I appreciate that. You talking to me about it.”

“I’m trying.”

“I know.”

“Listen, I wanted to know if you needed any help.”

“Oh…” I eye Ruby. “You want to help move us in?”

He sighs. “Actually, I already have to be out of town to look at a job. But even if I weren’t I’m not sure I’d be able to help. I don’t know if I can help you move into a place that isn’t our home.”

I hear a click of the door behind me. When I turn I see Ruby, leaning against the wall, staring at me.

“Yeah, I understand that.” I understand, but it doesn’t settle well with me.

“If you need help, I’ll see if some of my guys can come by tomorrow and help move the heavy things.”

“No, thanks,” I say in a snarky tone. “I’ve got it handled. The furniture store has movers, and my brother, Tony, and the kids will be here to help. Oh, and of course Steve too.”

Ruby’s head snaps at this announcement.

“All right then. Let me know if you change your mind.”

“I’m certain I won’t. Thanks, though.” I end the call before he can say anything else.

I’m mad at myself for being mad at him for not helping. Why would he help his wife move into another house? Lord knows I wouldn’t be offering to help him.

“Steve has plans tomorrow, Ms. Bossy.”

“Yeah, what?”

She shrugs. “He’s headed out of town with Heath.”

I roll my eyes. “Christ on a cracker, tell him his plans have changed. He can be Team Whitney for a few hours, at least.”