Page 123 of Butterfly Effect

“Oh, no. I couldn’t impose.”

“You wouldn’t be. We have reservations, but I’m sure they can add a chair?—”

“No, please. Thank you, but no. I came from brunch. And I should be preparing some things for work.”

“Ah, that’s too bad.”

“So, what brings you to town? Wade mentioned you live in Lac St. Anne.”

“I travel often, mostly consulting for coach training. This time I’m going to the English countryside. Devon.”

“What’s there?”

“Mom’s been coaching world-class rowers for the past ten years,” Wade explains, straightening his shoulders. “I’ve been trying to get her to slow down after her knee surgery?—”

“Ouf, you’re not my boss.”

“See what I mean?” He looks to me, then the ceiling, as if addressing the universe. “What have I done to deserve being surrounded by stubborn women?”

“Anyway.” Naomie intones, ignoring his dramatics. “I’m upset you won’t be joining us for lunch. I don’t know if I’ll survive two hours alone with this one.”

I hum my agreement. “It’s a shame, really. Maybe next time you’re in town, we can have dinner without him?”

Wade rolls his eyes.

“Sounds perfect.”

When I get home, he texts me.

Pretty Boy

Can I take you on a date tomorrow?

Pretty Boy

And do filthy, unspeakable things to you afterward?

The second message unleashes a witchy cackle from deep within me.

Me

Can’t wait.

Grief is a strange animal.

One day I’m fine, happily distracted by Wade’s phenomenal dick, and proud of myself for not being jealous of his relationship with his mother, and the next, the most precious picture of them posted on his Instagram serves as a trigger and sends me swiftly spiraling.

I can’t stop crying. Running a hot bath to calm down presents a new problem. Now that I’m in, I can’t find the will to get out.

The mentally stable would contact their therapist, but I haven’t seen one since I was sixteen. Mel understood andsupported the need for a mental health day, luckily, and got Adrienne to cover the game.

I hesitated to text Indi, not wanting to have her shoulder my burden while in anticipation of motherhood. A simple message does the trick.

Me

Feeling super down today.

Indi

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