Page 95 of My Almost Ex

“I don’t have much of a choice, so I’ll go. Thank you so much.”

I hang up and go back to the bathroom to make sure I haven’t leaked through the toilet paper. There isn’t a ton of blood, so I get rid of it and put more in, hoping Ethel and Dori can take me to buy some pads.

As though they heard me, after I wash my hands and walk out of the bathroom, the doorbell rings. The sound of two arguing old ladies comes through the door.

I barely open the door before they shove in, Dori pushing a box in my stomach. “Here you go… oh, you were right, Ethel, this place is beautiful.”

“They did so much work. It was horrible when they first moved in. I tried to give Adam a loan, but he wouldn’t hear of it.”

I listen, hoping a memory triggers, but when it doesn’t, I look at the box they thrust at me. Super Plus Night Absorbency. Are these… bladder control pads?

I sigh, but I can’t very well complain.

“I told her you weren’t menopausal,” Dori says.

“What? Are they too big?” Ethel asks, clutching her purse. “You should’ve seen the look the guy gave us, so we felt we had to explain.”

“You told the guy at the drugstore that I needed pads and you selected these?” I hold them up, really hoping that when Nikki gets this news, she doesn’t share. The last thing I need is for all of Sunrise Bay to think I don’t have my memories or control of my bladder.

“We didn’t say names.” Ethel smiles.

I nod. “I’ll be right back,” I say through clenched teeth.

By the time I get the pad on, I understand what poor babies feel like. But it’s better than toilet paper.

I come out and they’re standing by the door with their hands in front of them like kids who were up to no good. I eye them suspiciously, but what could they have really done?

“Thank you for taking me.”

“No problem. My Stella is the best.” Dori walks out first.

I lock up and release a breath seeing the Cadillac in the driveway. “Do you want me to drive?”

Please say yes. Please say yes.

“Do you remember how to drive?” Dori asks.

“I do. Adam took me out already.”

Dori throws her hand in the air. “She remembers how to drive but not me. I don’t get it.”

“I’m sorry,” I say out of habit.

“Don’t be sorry.” Ethel rolls her eyes and pulls out the keys. “And I can drive. You relax in the back.”

I smile and feel as if I should send Adam an “I love you” text as I slide in just in case I never return from this adventure.

Having no other choice, I buckle my seat belt and keep my eyes closed for the majority of the ride to Lake Starlight.

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