Page 68 of Malliko
“Look, I’m not here to talk about Shanice. It’s about the boys.”
“What about the boys?”
“The reason they haven’t been eager to talk to you is that none of them want to tell you something rather big that’s happening.”
I felt my neck and face heat up. Not only was Jeremy keeping secrets from me, but apparently now my sons were as well.
“The thing is that I’ve been offered a position in Hong Kong.”
I stared at him.
“It’s in China,” he said and that truly offended me.
“I know where Hong Kong is. Unlike you, I got a hundred percent on my geography test, remember?”
He clearly didn’t remember because he shrugged. “The money is unbelievable and it’s a great opportunity for the boys to experience a foreign culture.”
Blinking my eyes, I tried to digest what he was telling me. Traveling had always beenmydream. I had talked about living abroad for as long as I could remember, and Jeremy had never wanted to even entertain the idea. Now they were going to do it without me.
“You told the boys before you told me? Why? What if I say no? You can’t take them out of the country without my permission.”
He looked to the side and I knew exactly what he was thinking. He had chosen a restaurant hoping to avoid a scene. Not a fancy restaurant where he might meet business clients or associates. No, he had chosen a cheap place that he would normally never step foot in. Now he was about to say somethingthat would upset me, so he was checking to see how many people were close.
“Actually, I can. They’ll be sixteen before we leave and that makes them old enough to decide for themselves. They are excited for a new experience. Besides, can you even afford to fight me in court? An opportunity like this will look amazing on their résumés and you know the boys will be angry with you if you try to stop them.”
“This isn’t about our boys,” I said with an angry stare. “It’s about you, your career, and your money. It was always about you, Jeremy. I would ask if you have a shred of empathy and could try and see it from my side, but I already know the answer.”
“Don’t be dramatic,” he said. “It’s not like I see them a whole lot either. They’re teenagers and prefer to spend their time with their friends.”
“The reason you don’t see your sons is because you’re either traveling or have your nose in your phone. You took them away from me.”
Rolling his eyes, Jeremy held up his palms. “I’m not going to sit and listen to another round of your pity party. People grow apart and that’s what happened to us. I married you because that was the right thing to do, but we both know that it wasn’t a happy marriage. But I guess you don’t have it in your heart to be pleased for others. Finally, I’ve found a woman who excites me. Shanice loves cooking and taking care of me and the boys. You were never home.”
I felt like I had been physically punched in the throat and it was hard to speak. “I worked three jobs to support us and put you through school,” I said, but as always Jeremy didn’t hear me.
“Now, you’re doing the same to our boys. Why would you fight them going on an exciting adventure when you never come to see them anyway?”
“I moved here to make it easier for them to spend time with both of us.” While talking I spoke harshly to myself.Don’t cry. Don’t cry.The unfairness of my giving up closeness to my family and friends because Jeremy had decided to move to Los Angeles boiled right under my skin.
“Anyway, I told you what I needed to tell you and now you know.” Standing up, he threw a bit of money on the table to cover the cup of coffee he hadn’t touched. “Do yourself a favor and be supportive when you talk to the boys. Nobody likes a Debbie Downer.”
When he pulled out a white car key, I saw that it was a different brand than his fancy sports car. A suspicion hit me and made me ask, “Did you get a new car?”
“Mine is in the shop, so I had to take Shanice’s car this morning.”
I got up from my seat and stared at him. “You gave her that white one?” My finger pointed out the window to the large white SUV.
“Yes.”
“Mydream car. The one I mentioned a million times when we talked about future dreams. Why couldn’t you buy her a car thatshewanted? Did she even want a white car or were you too lazy to figure out what Shanice likes?”
Jeremy gave a dismissive shrug. “I figured if you liked it, then maybe all women liked it, and Shanice actually loves her car.”
“No shit!”
Taking a step back, Jeremy turned his body, clearly eager to leave. “We’re relocating on the fifteenth.”
“That’s next week.”
