Page 51 of Bae

I hadn’t forgotten a single thing she’d put me through. She was just more than that now.

It made me feel like maybe I could have more, without forgetting about Evie.

“I should have come here sooner,” I finally said.

Valerie laughed. “I never thought I’d hear you say that.”

I snorted. “I never thought I’d say it.”

“You came when you were ready, and I’m glad you did.”

“Me, too,” I whispered.

“Talk to Romeo,” she said, calling him by his nickname for like the first time ever. “Really talk. Don’t be afraid to tell him the things you worry about the most. I think you may realize you have more in common than you think.”

“I think I may be ready now.”

“And if I may suggest something?”

I nodded.

“Go see your doctor, talk to her. Maybe have an exam. Even an ultrasound, if it gives you peace of mind. Then you’ll know everything is as it should be in case you and Roman decide to try again.”

I hadn’t thought of that. I’d been so lost inside my own worst thoughts; I’d forgotten I had some control.

“I think I will.” I nodded.

After that, the conversation went to lighter things. Mostly talk about Romeo and his father. She asked me again to come to the home game and sit in their box, and I agreed. Getting out would be good for me, and any excuse to see my husband was a good one.

A few hours after I walked in, I was shrugging back into the boyfriend blazer to walk out. But on the way out, I felt a little less heavy, a little more unburdened.

As I was stepping out the door, I stopped and turned back. “Thank you, Valerie. I truly mean it. You’re a good mother.”

Her face softened, and she pulled me in for a hug. “Thank you for trusting me enough to talk to me.”

I pulled back and smiled.

“Tell Romeo I said hello!” she called after me. “And Rimmel?”

I glanced over my shoulder as I pulled open the door to my car.

“You may be half the size of my son, but your strength matches his.”

That was probably the nicest thing she’d ever said to me.

It was also the first time I’d ever felt grateful she was in my life.

Romeo

The familiar sound of my cell caused my arm to fling out in my sleep. The ringing didn’t quit when I flipped it over.

It was then I realized it wasn’t the alarm.

“Yeah,” I said into the phone, my eyes still closed.

Rimmel’s voice filled my ear. “Are you still in bed?”

I jolted upright, the sheet falling around my waist, and blinked open my eyes. “Fuck, what time is it?”

---