Page 37 of Up In Flames
Motherfucker.
It’s her.
Before I really think through what I’m doing, I end the call and fire off another message saying we need to crawl before we walk, and we should start with a text. I’m fully invested in the conversation, and it isn’t until Knox leans forward to look at his phone screen that I realize what I’ve done, and the choices I’ve just made for him.
“Fuck, Knox. I’m so sorry.” My first message to Karenliterallysaid Knox wasn’t comfortable speaking on the phone yet and couldn’t agree to the meeting, and could she please provide more details. My second message wasn’t quite so nice.
Knox
I just said no to a phone call. That didn’t change in the last 30 seconds.
Knox’s lips twitch.
“She probably deserved that. Never did care much for my opinion, even when we were married,” he says.
“How did you end up with her?” I ask, genuinely curious.
He shrugs. “I’m a traditionalist. Wanted to settle down, have a family, and work my fingers to the bone doing something I loved. Times were different when we started dating. Thought she wanted the same shit I did. By twenty-six, she still wasn’t interested in having kids. Would shut me down every time I brought it up. Slowly, I began to let go of my dreams and focus on keeping her happy, but that didn’t work either.”
I place my hands on his knees. “Knox, you can’t light yourself on fire to keep someone else warm. Other people’s happiness isn’t your responsibility.”
Learned that one the fuckin’ hard way, didn’t we?my brain chides.
The phone goes off again.
Karen
It’s too much to type.
I raise a brow at Knox,silently asking if he wants me to continue. He shakes his head, grabs the phone, and hits the call button followed by the speakerphone button.
“Knox, what are you do?—”
“Hi,” the feminine voice breathes, cutting me off. I watch as ten different expressions of pain paint Knox’s features, and I can’t stay away from him any longer. I’m not sure why he thought this was the best plan. Perhaps more of the alcohol remains in his veins than I thought.
Wanting to pour my strength into him, I climb back into Knox’s lap, straddling his thighs this time.
“Karen,” he grits out.
“H-How are you?” she asks, making me want to vomit. Knox pinches the bridge of his nose, already at his limit.
“What do you want?”
She sighs, but takes the hint and dives in. “Do you remember the cabin on my parents’ property?”
“Yes.”
“Well, when my father died, he left it to us…bothof us,” she says.
“Your dad passed away six years ago,” Knox answers. “Wasn’t this accounted for in the divorce?” His voice is softening now.
I shake my head, wanting him to stay strong.
“Apparently not,” she says. “I have some papers I need you to sign to have your name taken off the deed.”
“Can’t you mail them to me?” Knox asks.
“I really need them signed by the time I leave. I have a deadline to get this sorted out,” Karen explains.
