Page 119 of Broken Grump

“Plus, it won’t take you that long to get a good job. You’ve got your degree now.”

“And I can add the modifications I made on Ivory Shores to my portfolio.”

“Exactly.” I’m not sure if she fully understands what I’m saying, but I still appreciate her confidence.

After that, we’re both quiet for a bit, and I start sobbing again.

“I’m sorry.” As much as I tried to stop crying over him, I can’t seem to stop.

“What are you apologizing for? You did nothing wrong here. Go ahead, let it out.”

“I know. I just feel bad for waking you up in the middle of the night and then just dumping all of this on you.”

She blows raspberries. “Don’t be silly. What else are friends for? I’m just sorry things didn’t work out like you wanted them to. You know, for both of you. It would’ve been pretty great to have your little family altogether.”

“. . . Yeah.” I take the sleeve of my jacket and blot it under my eyes. “I guess it really wasn’t meant to be.”

“Better to know now rather than waste God knows how much time. A year? Two years? And then find out he’s just the same guy you left almost an entire decade ago.”

I nod. “Fair point. But it still hurts pretty damn bad right now.”

“I’m not saying that it shouldn’t, Addie. Again, let all your emotions out. That’s healthy. However, I’m just trying to help you see that this was for the best in the long run.”

“Right.” I know she’s right, but it still feels like my heart is breaking into a million pieces.

“So, you’ll book two tickets on the first plane out to Arizona, right?”

I sniffle before answering, “Yeah. But I have to get everything settled here first.”

“Do you want me to fly out and help you?”

I swear, her kindness and generosity know no bounds.

“I think I should be okay. Thank you, though.”

“Of course.” I can hear it in her voice that she’s exhausted, so I bid her good night after that. But I also know there’s next to no chance of me getting any sleep.

Instead, I just hunker down with my emotional support bottle and continue to take tiny sips until I see the sun come shining through the large windows. After that, I stand up and start packing.

I figure the best place to start is my closet. So, after opening the biggest piece of luggage I have, I get my arms full of clothes, and push them, hangers and all, against the black, nylon material.

Ha!Due to my drinking, my eyes are a little blurry, but I’m nevertheless proud of myself for my work.

Next, I set my sights on the cheap costume jewelry that hangs where my grandfather’s most exquisite pieces from Tiffany, Cartier, and Hermes.

As I’m shoving my worthless, plastic earrings and necklaces into a side pouch of my suitcase, my stomach lurches for an instant. Although I’m not sure if it’s in the thought of my continued need to don such cheap accessories, or the alcohol coursing through my body, or both.

“Oh, God.” Stopping what I’m doing, I let everything in my hands fall onto the ground. “What have I done?”

But just like that, I change my mind again.

“No, no. I’m doing what’s best.”This is what’s best.

Chapter thirty-four

Hayden

The light beaming throughmy office window awakens me like an oncoming freight train—it’s fast, impending, and unavoidable.

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