Page 60 of 10,000 Hours With A Rich Menace

“You took her to a cemetery to visit your dead parents and she didn’t call me screaming. She matches your crazy, Mav.”

“Whatever.”

“Apologize to her… I know you have it in you, so make it right. We need to be focused on planning this wedding. So, that is both of you guys’ tasks for the next week… okay?”

“Yeah, if she talks to me.”

“Figure it out.” I smiled.

I downedmy glass of wine while Skyler stared at me. “Want the whole bottle?”

“I’ve had a day today… Menace apparently went to handle some unresolved issues that Stevie had with some boyfriend from high school.”

“Tony?” she raised her eyebrow, as she combed a sleeping Estella’s hair.

They were staying the night over tonight since neither of them had school. “You know about him?”

“Honestly, it’s the reason that Stevie is so scared to let someone in. One night when we were getting drunk, she broke down and told me. I don’t even think she remembers telling me. I know it may sound silly since it was high?—”

“Not silly at all. They sexually assaulted her, and then she had to live with that. I would never think it sounds silly.” I smiled at her.

“She always says she feels silly for being upset about it years later. Though, she doesn’t think I have context on the situation. All she thinks I know is that she had a bad breakup. I have to remind her that her feelings are valid, and they deserved whatever Menace did to them.”

I refilled my wine glass. “You don’t even want to know, but he likes her. Skyler, he really likes her.”

She eyed me suspiciously. “Stevie sat on the phone with me for an hour talking about how she can’t stand him, and how she doesn’t even want to marry him.”

“He yelled at her. The fight is very much juvenile, and he doesn’t like her giving him the silent treatment,” I laughed.

It was funny watching Mr. Silent Treatment dislike someone giving him the same treatment that he often gave. “Do you think these two will work? I’m trying very hard not to interfere with them… it’s hard not trying to fix things for her.”

“She’s grown and you cannot fix everything for her. If she really wanted out, I know Menace would allow her to go… he likes her that much where he would want her happy.”

“When is the wedding?”

“Girl, I put them on that duty… so we shall see where that goes.”

Skyler continued to comb her daughter’s hair and looked up at me. “How are you doing? You never take any down time for you… want to make sure you are alright.”

“I am taking it day by day… Jean Delgato really helped me more than she knows. God, Capri is lucky.”

“You and Core’s trip together will allow you to recenter and get both of you on the same page. I know that’s the reason Corleon is overworking himself. That man cried in my arms, Jeffie… he’s just as hurt as you are.”

“I’ve been selfish… only focused on me.”

“No, you were trying to heal yourself in three to five business days. You have to allow it to happen naturally, and this trip is perfect for both of you. You’ve been going crazy planning this ball.”

She reached her hand and held mine. “You being there for him probably meant everything to him.”

“I know it did… held onto me like he never wanted to let go.”

“Neither of us do, Skyler.”

“What do you want me to do? I can’t risk him ever getting my daughter, Jeffie… I’m always here for the both of you.”

“Wish you were coming, too.”

She smiled. “All I’m thinking about is the day that we see that positive pregnancy test and then can plan a whole string of parties.”

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