Page 35 of Slayer Mom
“For my family, not myself. If something does happen to me, you will be well-taken care of financially. I took care of all the paperwork in case of my death.”
I bared my teeth at him before I realized what I was doing then took a step back instead of biting him, which was my irrational instinct. I wanted to bite him like the Grand Master had bitten me. I licked my lips and tried to channel calm instead of thinking about the horrific and enraging possibility of himdying. “I’m leaving. You can take the meatloaf out of the oven. It should be enough to last you a few weeks.”
“All right. If you need me, call. I’ll keep my phone with me until I hear that you’ve found somewhere to stay and that you’re safe.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I can’t help it.” He gently brushed my hair away from my cheek. “You have taught me more about love, sacrifice, and joy than I ever expected to know. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to sit around eating meatloaf and missing you. It’s almost like you left me because I don’t have a job, but we still have enough money. You can pay for a house right now, in cash, if it’s under a million.”
I swallowed. “I’m not taking any more money from you.”
He sighed heavily. “Right. Okay. But you’re keeping your car, and I’m going to keep paying insurance on it, and you’re going to stay safe. Please? Lucy, please stay safe. Also, your gas card, credit cards, they’re for you to use. If you ever get bored with things, come home. I don’t care what you’ve tried, drugs, prostitution, murder, it doesn’t change anything.” Had anyone ever said anything so sweet?
It was the safest SUV you could buy, with all the extra safety features. “If it will make you feel better.”
“It will.”
“Until I get the divorce papers.”
“And afterwards. You aren’t alone in this world. Whether you want to be married to me or not, we’ll always be connected through our children. We will be on good terms. I will respect you no matter what happens.”
I stared into those soft brown eyes and almost leaned into that strong chest and closed my eyes. I was so tired. “Okay.”
“And it smells like the meatloaf is done. Let’s go eat so you aren’t hungry after your big exit.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll go get plates. You sit down and enjoy the sunset.”
I sat feeling the most bewildering conflict of misery and confusion with a relief that I really shouldn’t feel at his adamant refusal to take charge of our divorce. There was a group of moms that I’d used to get together with, like Marj and Jenny for a book club and lunches, but none of them felt like people I could talk to about this. Would my husband be terribly embarrassed? He’d lost his job, and his wife, and his kid was lighting people on fire. This would be a rough patch for him, but he’d get through it, as long as he wasn’t devoured by zombies or vampires.
I considered leaping over the balcony and running into the bushes, but that wouldn’t help. He wanted to feel like I was being reasonable, so he wouldn’t have to worry about me. I was leaving him. He shouldn’t have to worry about me, but he did anyway.
“Here you are.” He handed me a plate and another glass of wine then pulled up a chair beside me and kicked back, relaxing with me like we hadn’t done for ages.
I shouldn’t have drunk that second glass of wine or eaten the meatloaf, but I was starving, and he’d given me a lot, much more than I usually served myself, but he’d given himself healthy portions as well. He loved my meatloaf. I have no idea why, since it was the most boring thing imaginable. It was the first thing I’d ever made for him. In those days, I’d had no idea how to cook, so I’d started simple. I’d forgotten the salt, and overcooked the edges while the middle was maybe on the raw side, but he’d just eaten and eaten until there was nothing left, then looked at me like I was the most amazing cook in the world.
His hand brushed mine and my pinkie wrapped around his. After we’d eaten, and the sky had faded of color, and the first stars were twinkling on the horizon, he stretched out and brushed my foot. “If I’m not wrong, on your current hygiene schedule, it’s time for you to take a bath.”
“Oh.” It was time for my Epson salt soak. “I really should.” I felt so comfortable, content, peaceful, but I wouldn’t once the zombies started coming. I got up and took his plate.
“Let me do the dishes. You take your soak,” he said, taking the plates and glasses then winking at me and heading inside, leaving me on the balcony, sighing after him.
I shook off the mood and headed to my bath. I fell asleep in the tub and woke up in cold water somewhere in the middle of the night.
Feeling like a sneak thief, I packed up my suitcase and headed out, barely not taking a detour to the bedroom to tell him goodbye for the last time, and maybe a few more things. I was thoroughly salty, therefore safe, but no. I couldn’t tell him goodbye again. Instead, I got into my car and drove to the gate.
“Mrs. Darnell, where are you going this time of night?” Tim asked cheerfully.
“To the airport. I’m going to see some European sites and stop by the school. I miss my boys too much.”
He smiled brightly. “I miss them too. Wat always used to have the best jokes.” He laughed and something about that laugh seemed almost delicious. Were his pudgy cheeks looking rosy and juicy this evening?
I slammed on the gas, barely missing the gate as it opened. That had been very weird. I suppose that made some sense that the antidote that gave me abilities would also give me some cravings for freshblood. I was definitely looking forward to losing ties to the Grand Master.
Maybe something would happen, something strange and magical, and I’d be free to be with Hazen again. Weirder things had to have happened. The Grand Master studied things like this all the time. Maybe he would be interested enough to make removing zombie markings a priority before Hazen and I died of hopefully natural causes.
ten
