Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“I know, and I pushed back, but the lawyer was firm. We plan the wedding, run everything through her, and don’t ask too many questions.”
“Shady.”
“But the budget. Aren’t you trying to buy a new car? And Hattie’s still in daycare.”
“Preschool.” I scrape my nails through my hair. “They call it preschool at her age. And it’s obscenely expensive.”
“I’ll forward you what I have and you can make the call, okay? Personally, if it were up to me, we’d go for it. What’s there to lose? We piss off some fancy people? That’s on them for not getting involved.”
“Alright, I’ll take a look, but no promises. We’re already stretched thin.”
She looks at me seriously, reaching out to take my hands, gripping them hard. “June, I love you. I couldn’t have done this without you. You’re the logistics and I’m the artistic flair.”
I squirm in my seat. “I like to think I have a good eye too.”
“You don’t. Seriously. Listen to me. I need you, and love you, and you have to consider the budget, okay?”
“I said I’d look at it. And I love you too.”
We finish up, leave a generous tip, and part ways outside. I opt to walk fifteen minutes home which is enough time to skim what Beth sent on my phone.
She’s right: the budget is obscene and our percentage would be enormous. It’ll be a fair bit of work, but the end of summer isn’t too busy yet and I could fit it in. By the time I reach my front stoop, I’ve already started spending the extra money: a bike for Hattie, school supplies, a better water heater, new shoes for everyone.
I’m distracted and almost don’t notice them. At my stoop, I pause and spot a car parked a few doors down. I wouldn’t look twice normally, but it’s a fancy black BMW, not the sort of vehicle for this neighborhood.
Two men are sitting inside.
Strange, but it’s the city. People do things.
Ignoring the creeping feeling, I push inside and find Marnie sitting in my living room, tears streaming down her face.
“Marn! What’s going on?!”
“Oh, shit.” She laughs, wiping at herself with her sleeve. She’s in sweats, her hair in a messy bun. “No, it’s fine, don’t freak out. It’s just this movie.”
“What the heck are you watching?”
“Hallmark. Don’t judge me. Hattie’s asleep, by the way, she was a gem as always.”
“Oh, honey.” I sit down next to Marnie and throw my arms around her, hugging her tight. “Thanks for coming over. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I am completely, totally, absolutely fine.” That’s not remotely true and we both know it. She hugs me back briefly but gets to her feet. “Sorry, I should get going. I have to talk to my lawyer early.”
“That’s not done with yet?”
“Dennis is being a fucking asshole. There are these stupid retirement accounts—but whatever, I don’t want to bore you. Don’t look at me like that.”
“You can stay here tonight if you want?”
“Stop it, June. I love you. Hattie’s a dream.”
“Fuck Dennis. You have a place here whenever you want it.”
Marnie kisses my cheek. “Love you. Talk tomorrow.”
“Thanks again. Beth sends her regards, by the way.”
“Bitch better.” Marnie gathers her stuff and exits. I watch my friend hurry down the block, that bad feeling still heavy in my guts. The BMW hasn’t moved, idling now, brake lights bright red.
She’s in a bad place. Terrible, actually. I lock up and go check on Hattie, thinking about how fast Marnie’s marriage fell apart. The fights, the tears, the cheating. And now this, six years later. Lawyers, assets, the works.
Divorce. Poor Marnie.
I brush Hattie’s mess of brown curls back. Her room’s rainbow and pony themed. Lots of pink, purple, and green. Dozens of stuffies are piled all around her as she drools onto a cupcake pillowcase. I kiss her forehead and she stirs.
“I love you, Harriet.”
Back in the hall, I pause outside my daughter’s door, still thinking about Marnie. Guilt hits me, but I can’t help feeling like it’s better Marnie’s going through this now, before she has kids.
No way she would survive life as a single mother. Not even as a divorced mother with custody agreements. Bless her heart and soul.
Before I go to sleep, I peer out the front windows, not sure why I do it.
The car’s gone. The two men with it.
Just me being stupid and paranoid.
I climb into bed and stare at that budget Beth sent again, dreaming of how it might change my life.
5
JUNE
“Mommy!” Hattie comes running through the classroom and hurls herself into my arms.
“Hi, bubbles, you had a good day?”
“Grrrreat! Look at what I made. Mom? Look!”
Hattie parades drawings in my face as I gather her stuff. I tell her they’re all amazing and she’s incredible but she’s not listening to anything I’m saying. She gushes on about this new pony she made up with purple glowing skin and magic orb powers or something, I can’t follow, and it doesn’t matter. She jabbers away as I thank her teacher and lead her out into the late afternoon.