Page 24 of Fresh Canvas
I nodded, despite my tears still brimming.
“It’s over,” I whispered. “He signed it.”
“Oh, Amantha. I’m so sorry.” Her familiar scent of lavender fabric softener enveloped me in a hug. “But youdidit. You made it through. It’s a painful finish line, but a finish line all the same.”
She pulled back, her faint wrinkles lifting into a smile. “Give yourself time to process it all. But in the meantime, I want you to have this.” Mom lifted the beautiful plate. “A gift to represent your new beginning.”
“Oh, Mom, I couldn’t.” I shook my head even as I reached for it.
“I insist.” She winked. “Consider it a divorce gift.”
A choked laugh bubbled out. “To match my wedding gift?”
She responded with a cheeky grin. “A perfect set.”
I laughed.
“Life is about to get real good. I just know it,” she said.
I looked down at the plate. The smooth porcelain was cool against my fingers. A small piece of reason felt skeptical that this plate could hold so much promise. Like the idea of a new beginning was too good to be true.
But Iwantedto believe her.
To absorb even a fraction of that optimism. To soak it in like the warm sunshine outside. Smiling, I clutched the plate close to my chest and willed my future to comply.
My phone chimed with a text.
RYAN: But if Anthony’s home life changes in the slightest, I will file for custody again. And win.
The smile froze on my face, my palms growing sweaty. What didthatmean? A change in Anthony’s home life? Did he mean in the literal sense, like selling the house? I’d never take Anthony’s home away from him.
The knot in my stomach eased.
Or did he mean financial, like if I screwed up at work and couldn’t provide for Anthony’s life anymore?
The knot tightened.
seven
AMANTHA
Iheaved the suitcase onto the conveyor belt. Bending down to untie my sneakers, I tried not to gag thinking about the filthy airport floors. I placed my shoes in the provided plastic tote, emptied my pockets, and out of habit, reached to remove my wedding ring.
It wasn’t there.
Despite a year-long separation and finalized divorce, becoming a single woman again felt unreal. All of it still felt distant—including the foreign settlement numbers in my bank account. Maybe I needed more time to process it.
I shook off the unsettled feeling, trying to ignore the nakedness of my ring finger.
I shuffled forward in my white cotton socks to join the airport security line. My eyes stung as if they were bloodshot. The plane would leave right after dawn, which made for a very grumpy morning.
Kendra had decided to send the team to the nationwide Art Curator’s Conference for the weekend. This year, the annual event was in San Francisco. Despite my exhaustion, a tiny nudge of excitement thrummed in my stomach.
Ever since working with Barbara, I had been dying to go. I only wished I was more well rested to be able to fully absorb it all.
After the security scan, I grabbed my bags, tied my sneakers, and shrugged back into my black zippered hoodie. I walked in the direction of the gate, thankful to have a solid rubber barrier again between my socks and the gross airport floor. Kate and Blythe had promised to meet me there. Unfortunately, Val would be waiting at the gate as well.
Gag.
