Page 6 of Billion Dollar Dispute

“Well, Molly, here’s the scoop!” Mom announces with an over-the-top sweep of her hand, like she’s a game show host. “Jemima’s the new boss! I’m finally retiring to sip mimosas and collect postcards. Isn’t it fabulous?”

Molly’s eyes light up, her lips parting wider. “This is great news.”

Her positive energy is contagious, and I can’t help the way it ignites within me.

“Let’s give Jemima the grand tour, and then you girls can bond over all the juicy office gossip,” Mom says, then struts ahead.

As we walk, Mom explains what everything is or what used to be where. So much has changed since my dad died.

The space feels familiar yet foreign. We pause in the hallway, and Molly’s hands lace together in front of her as she speaks, her fingers twisting. “I do have to explain my situation because sometimes my life is a little chaotic.”

Mom’s eyes shine with understanding, her gaze firmly on Molly. “I’m a single mom,” Molly announces.

My eyes widen, and I shift my gaze at Mom before looking back at Molly.

“What's the look for?” Molly asks, her blue eyes narrowing at me.

“I’m a single mom too.”

Her face softens, and she steps closer as her eyes search mine. “Did your husband cheat too?”

I shake my head. Her putting herself on the line in such an innocent way makes it easy to confess. “I don’t know if mine is better or worse,” I snort. “But he was arrested for drug trafficking.”

“Well, fuck,” she says, her eyes flaring wide before she quickly covers her mouth and mumbles, “Sorry.”

I laugh, a genuine, hearty laugh that feels good to do. I haven’t laughed much in the last few months…if not longer. There’s something about Molly that makes me excited about working here. “It’s okay, I was as shocked as you.”

Dropping her hand from her mouth, she asks, “How old is your kid?”

“Chad is six. How about yours?”

“Mine’s a boy too. Hugo, and he’s four.”

Talking about Chad makes my chest swell with pride. I never had a mother’s group or friends when I had Chad. We moved when he was two, and I found it harder than I had been expecting. Butch was not a very present father because he worked a lot, and I felt lonely and defeated, never really having the time to actually focus on myself.

“This is going to be fun.” Molly rubs her hands together.

I smile. “It is.”

The sound of a door opening catches my attention. Turning, I see a man in his early fifties confidently walking in.

“Here’s Danny. You remember him, don’t you, Jemima,” Mom says, and Molly mumbles something I don’t catch before returning to her seat.

Danny strides over.

“Hi, Danny. It’s been a long time,” I say, remembering his face from years ago, only he’s rougher now. Thinning slicked-back hair, deep wrinkles etched into his skin, and much slimmer, the suit seeming to swallow him up.

“Sure has, Jem,” Danny replies with a warm smile. “You’ve grown up.”

Mom takes a step forward, her bangles jingling softly as she places a hand on Danny’s shoulder. “Danny here has been my rock since your dad passed,” she says, her voice warm and full of gratitude. “I don’t know how I’d have managed without him.”

Danny waves a hand modestly. “Just doing my part.”

“I appreciate that,” I say. “Dad always spoke very highly of you.”

Danny’s expression softens at the mention of Dad, but there’s a flicker of something else… disappointment, maybe?

“Your mom keeps telling me about Chord.” Danny smiles.

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