Page 27 of The One I Love
“I’m going to be in town on Tuesday. I was wondering if I could see the kids.”
Well, that’s a first. “Wow. An unexpected visit? What do we owe the pleasure?”
“Sarcastic isn’t a good look on you Mel,” he says. “You always get like this when I ask for one little thing.”
I bite my lip so hard that I might break skin. “I wasn’t being sarcastic. You haven’t seen the kids in months. And now suddenly you want to come visit? Sorry for being shocked.”
“Yes. And I shouldn’t need a reason to see my kids.”
You shouldn’t but you usually do…
“Well, Tuesday might be hard,” I say. “Mariah has a trackmeet, and Luke has a game. They are both at home, so you could theoretically come and watch both.”
“That sounds like a pain. What about after if I just take them dinner?”
I swallow a scream. Too hard? Too hard is the weeks where Luke is playing an hour away and Mariah has something at home. Too hard is when I work and I have to beg to switch with someone so I can be there. But yes, going to two events that are in the same complex is just too difficult. But this is classic Paul; things needing to be on his terms or his way.
“It’s unexpected, Paul. They are young adults with their own lives and schoolwork. I’ll talk to them and we’ll let you know. Or, you know, you could come watch them do things they enjoy doing. I’m sure they’d like that.”
He lets out a frustrated breath, but doesn’t say anything else. Somewhere in his narcissistic body, he knows I’m right. “I’ll try. Also, since when does Mariah run track? Or do anything athletic?”
I could answer simply and politely. I would have done that when we were married. Now I don’t give a fuck.
“If you ever called your children, you’d know that she wanted to try it this year and she’s doing great. She won her race last week and really seems to be enjoying it.”
“I don’t appreciate the sass.”
“I really don’t care. In fact, I couldn’t give two shits.”
“I can’t with you.”
I bite my tongue, wanting to end this conversation immediately. “Anything else?”
“That’s it.” His words are clipped. “I’ll see you Tuesday.”
“Can’t wait.”
I hang up the phone quickly, needing to have the last word as I let out a big breath. Over the years I’ve finally built up the confidence to take control of the conversations. I never didthat when we were married. Looking back, I hate that mousy, unsure woman I was. The one who fell into the trap of believing the words coming from his mouth. The one who didn’t stand up for herself.
But not anymore. At least, I do my best to not be that person. Some days and conversations are harder than others, but I know who I am now, and I know the person I don’t want to be again.
“What did Dad want?”
I look up to see Mariah with a concerned look on her beautiful face. Is she a teenage drama queen? Yes. Do I hate that she’s out of the boys-are-gross stage? Yes. Am I worried that one day she’s going to require bail money? Also yes. But my baby girl has a heart of gold and is a fierce of a protector to those she loves.
“He’s going to be in town Tuesday,” I say as I straighten myself out. “He says he’s coming to your track meet and Luke’s game.”
She huffs. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
“Believe what?” Luke asks as he grabs his keys off the kitchen table.
“Apparently Dad’s coming Tuesday to watch us.”
“Ha! That’s a good one.” Luke grabs his bat bag before looking back to me. “Considering I’m still waiting for him to show up to a football game, I won’t hold my breath.”
“If he does come, do you think this visit will be one where he ignores us or buys us stuff? I could use a new eye shadow palette.”
“Let’s see if he shows up before you send him your Amazon wish list.”
