Page 81 of Mic Drop

Taking the stairs, I sneak into the back of the clinic. No one’s in the waiting room and only a couple of patients are with therapists. I need to right this ship. Again.

“Hey, Court,” I announce myself. “I’d love to put our heads together and get through this, ah, slump.”

“From your mouth,” she replies, tossing some paperwork from the sofa onto the floor. “Here, have a seat. Let’s talk.”

I get comfortable while Court gets us a couple of cups of water from the dispenser. “Should I scale back on the water delivery?”

“No way. This is only a minor setback. Keep the water flowing.” She grins.

My head bows. “I really thought we’d be over this hump when we shut Michelle down the first time. I was wrong.”

She places her hand over mine. “No one could’ve anticipated this newest, ah, allegation.”

“Still, I need to fix it. At least we have a few patients who didn’t abandon us.”

“We do.” She flips through the appointment book. “A core group refuse to leave.”

“That’s something,” I muse. “Not enough, though. Look, Bennetttold me Michelle and Lissa have teamed up. I figured out Michelle’s using the fake avatar ‘Thaine Jasper’ on Lissa’s socials.”

“Thaine was your boyfriend in high school that she poached, right?”

“Good memory. Michelle evidently put his name together with her middle name, thinking no one would figure it out.” I blow on my fingers. “She was wrong.”

Court asks the question that’s been rolling around my brain all morning. “How are you going to out her to the world?”

“That’s the million-dollar question. I’m one hundred percent sure Thaine has no clue what’s going on.”

“Where is he now?”

I shrug. “Haven’t kept in touch with the guy who dumped me for Michelle.”

Court pulls out her phone. “Let’s see if he’s still around. Thaine Bell, right?” She punches a few things into her phone. “Looky here. Mr. High School Ex-Boyfriend lives two towns over.” She clicks a few more times. “Divorced with three kids.” She turns her phone around to show me.

“He still has all his hair,” I remark dispassionately.

Court studies his photo. “He’s not a bad looking guy. I mean, he’s no Bennett Hardy or anything.”

I wave my naked left hand. “He sent me flowers this morning. Gerbera daisies.”

Court’s mouth drops open. “What did the card say?”

“It had the lyrics from Darren’s last big hit on it. ‘Crushing Blow.’” I pause. “At least he went out on top.”

She pulls me toward her and gives me a hug I didn’t know I needed. Releasing me, Court cleans her glasses on her shirt. “What’s the best way to put them in their places?” At least she didn’t mention Bennett.

In the ensuing silence, my mind races. What would Ma counsel me to do? Probably choose the lowest hanging fruit. Which, in this instance, is a who.

Thaine.

I bet he’d be pissed to hear she’s using his name without his permission. He and Michelle broke up before he left for college, never to be seen together again. How can I use this to my advantage?

“I might have something,” I venture. Her eyes descend on me, and I swallow. “Michelle’s using Thaine Jasper as her avatar. I say I give my ex-boyfriend a little visit and tell him what she’s been up to.”

“Devious,” she nods. “I like it. Want me to come with?”

“No. I think this is something I need to do by myself.” I stand. “I’ll let you know what happens.”

“You better.” She gives me another hug for the road, and I set out to correct some of the wrongs Michelle has rained down on me. Doesn’t hurt it gives me a purpose besides dwelling on the end of my marriage.

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