Page 92 of Two Wrongs

I turn away from her and stare at the ceiling. “There was no other choice. He was having an affair with my best friend.”

Hattie gasps. “Oh, I’m so sorry. That’s pretty bad. I can see why you wouldn’t be able to get past that.”

“Yeah, well I figured it out because she’s showing.”

Her mouth falls open. “No,” she denies.

I shrug. “Yeah, she’s pregnant. About five months I think.”

“God, Wren. I’m so sorry I haven’t been around. No wonder you’ve locked yourself in here. But, honey, you can’t stop living. Especially considering how he’s treated you. Have you ever heard that living well is the best revenge? You need to get up and show Liam you don’t need him.”

Something about the idea of getting revenge strikes me as funny. I try hard to keep from laughing, but fail miserably. Through laughter, I say, “I don’t think that’s necessary. Have you been talking to Dolores? You both give the same advice.”

She purses her lips. “Mrs. Howell? I think a lot of people have been offered her advice at one point or another. Not everyone is smart enough to take it in. Anyway, have you heard about your car?” she asks, changing the subject.

I welcome an end to the discussion of my marriage. “There’s engine damage. It’s more expensive to fix than it’s worth, so I sold it to the mechanic I met at the gas station.”

“What are you going to do without a car?”

I shrug. “I guess I’ll get another one. I would like to find a job first.”

Hattie nods. “I can help with that. My friend, Patrick, owns a pub a few blocks away. I asked him if he had any openings, and as it turns out, he needs a waitress during the day. I know the tips aren’t as great as they might be at night, but he pays a decent hourly wage. If you’re not interested it’s no problem. Just let me know either way.”

“Can I walk to it?” I ask.

“Yeah, if you didn’t want to get another car right away, you’d be able to walk. If that’s what you’re asking.”

“I want to save as much money as I can. I’m thinking I’d like to finish my degree.”

Hattie smiles at me. “I think that sounds wonderful. What are you thinking of studying.”

I pick at the comforter. I’d told Liam about this before, and he laughed at me. I swallow. “I’d like to get a business degree. Maybe get my MBA.”

She cocks her head to the side. “Why did you fidget when you told me? It’s like you think there’s something weird about becoming a business woman.”

I shrug. “Liam used to tell me I was reaching too high. Harriston didn’t have a lot of use for a business degree, let alone a graduate degree.”

Her mouth pulls into a tight line. “Have you thought about moving ahead with your divorce?”

“I have been trying hard not to think about anything.”

“I can see that,” she mutters. “Look, I know you want to leave everything about your life in Harriston in the past. I know the last six months of your marriage was bad, but it sounds like you were overlooking a lot of shit long before that.”

I lick my lips. “Can you help me with getting a divorce?”

Hattie grabs my hand. “There’s a guy who’s been trying to get me to go out with him for a while who happens to be a lawyer. I’ll give him a call, but I thought you already filed?”

I shake my head. “Liam didn’t sign the papers, and now I’m not there to see that he does. But, I don’t want you to spend time with a guy you aren’t interested in just to help me out.”

She winks at me. “Who says I’m not interested? Sometimes it’s good to see how far they’ll go before going out with them. He’s suffered enough.”

37

Griffin

“When was the last time you shaved?” I look up and see Dolores shuffling her way into my kitchen.

“How did you get into my house?” I grumble.

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