Page 90 of Legal

“If that’s all you’re worried about, I suggest you make yourself scarce in five days. I have some pretty sharp knives in the kitchen. I’m liable to slice off your balls and feed them to you.”

“Fuck, Jillian. What the hell? You’re kinda scaring me here.”

I stormed back out to take another walk. Fucking ungrateful prick. I did him a favor, letting him stay in my house after he fucked up with his girlfriend, and how’d he show his appreciation? By taking over the place like he owned it again. By taking what was rightfully mine.

My steps hit the ground a little harder this time until I was practically running. I needed to do what I could to let off steam, to diffuse the pressure in my head.

I moved hard until I couldn’t anymore, then dragged myself back home. Mike was wisely in his room with the door closed. I quickly downed three full glasses of water before going into my office.

I didn’t speak to him for two days.

By the third morning, I’d come to my senses. I didn’t usually freak out so badly before my period, not since my twenties. I didn’t know what had taken control of me like that. Maybe I was going into early menopause.

Mike tiptoed around me as I poured myself a cup of coffee. “You want some?” I asked. He froze in his tracks, then took a step back. He obviously didn’t want to be in my vicinity. Poor guy. He had every right to be leery of me in the kitchen. Or anywhere. I’d been a little psychotic the other day.

“I can stop and pick some up on my way to the office,” he said.

“Don’t be silly.” I pulled a mug out of the cupboard and handed it to him. “I have plenty here.” He eyed me skeptically, and I laughed. “It’s not poisoned. Promise.” I took a big sip off mine. “See?”

He filled his cup. “Thanks.” Then he leaned back on the counter and watched me as he drank. Probably waiting to see if the other Jillian was going to come out and play.

“Listen, Mike. I’m really sorry. Of course, you’re going to help yourself while you’re staying here, and you don’t need my permission to eat or drink anything. I… I don’t know what came over me.” I smiled. “Maybe I was just really craving a beer that night.”

By talking about it, I realized just how absurd I’d been. I had that damned Spotted Cow sitting right out in the open. If I’d wanted the pleasure of dumping it in the sink myself, I should have at least hid it from sight. Mike actually did me a favor. Now I didn’t have to look at it anymore.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “Just glad to see you back.”

“Any word from Candace yet?” He was more than halfway through his week.

“No, she’s still playing hardball, but I’m working on it. She thinks I’ll cave and give her what she wants in exchange for being with her again.”

“Will you?”

“No, it doesn’t work that way. I’m betting on her being the first one to bend.”

Hmm… Either he was against a second marriage and family that adamantly or he just didn’t love her enough. Whatever the case, he couldn’t just hang out with me forever.

He went into the guest room and came out with a piece of paper. “I’ve been wanting to show you this. Look what I found. I think he was ten?”

I unfolded the paper, and my heart nearly burst. “He was eight,” I said. My eyes followed over the crayon drawings of me, Mike, and Daniel. We were all holding hands, a gazillion hearts around us. One big, happy family. At least in Daniel’s eyes, we were, and that was what mattered. That was what we were able to give him.

“I forgot to mention. He wants to hop over to Zurich next, after Rome. It’s pretty cool that he has the chance to see some of the world before real life sets in.”

“Yes, I’m the one who told you about that, remember?”

“So, I’ve been here several days now, and I haven’t heard anything about that… friend of yours. You still spending time with him?”

At least he put it nicely. I drank the rest of my coffee before responding. “No, Mike. I’m not.” He nodded. I suddenly had a panicked thought. “You didn’t mention anything to Daniel, did you?”

He shook his head. “Why would I? It’s not like anything was going to come of it, and what kid would want to hear about his mother being friendly with someone his own age?”

I exhaled slowly. Yes, good. “You’re right,” I said. “It’s all over with, and that’s a positive thing. Daniel didn’t need to hear about it.” I looked down at the drawing again. I couldn’t wait for him to get home so I could give him a big ole hug.

“We did good, Jillian. Lots of happy memories here.” I nodded and folded up the paper, setting it on the counter.

I rinsed out my cup and placed it in the dishwasher. “I’m jumping in the shower now. You leaving soon?” I asked.

“Yeah, I have an early appointment.”

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