“Nothing’s wrong, sweetie. Not a thing in the world.”
“Oh, my God,” he said, looking at me. “What’s all that blood?” He pointed to the back of my neck. I’d totally forgotten about having hit my head. As he pointed it out though, the pain rose.
“No big deal,” I said. “I fell outside. It doesn’t matter. I have huge news.”
He pointed at my hand and arm. “Mom, you have blood all over you.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I grabbed his wrist with my bandaged hand. “How would you feel about moving to Washington State?”
“Mom, you need to go to the hospital.”
“I’m okay. Seriously. I’m the best I’ve ever been.” I let go of his wrist. “And I’m asking you for real. Do you want to move to Washington?”
“It’s too wet there,” he said, still shocked over my injuries.
“I’m talking about eastern Washington. The dry part of the state. I found a stunning house on a gorgeous piece of property where I could build the bed-and-breakfast of my dreams. Surrounded by vineyards. And there’s a great piano teacher nearby. Not to mention Seattle and its music scene only a few hours away.”
“You’re serious?”
“Look at me. Does anything about me right now make it look like I’m joking? Let’s get out of here.”
He offered me a handsome smile. “Why not? Maybe the newsof the Simpson family breakdown hasn’t made it that far.” Concern filled his eyes. “What about him?”
He didn’t sayDad.
“I’m going to leave your dad, honey. I know I’ve been so wishy-washy, but I made a mistake last night. I can’t stay with him. I’m so sorry.”
He put his arm on my shoulder. “You’re for real? You haven’t just hit your head and gone wonky, have you?”
“I’ve never been more for real. Likefo real.” It didn’t come out sounding quite as hip as I’d intended.
“I’m proud of you, Mom.”
“For what?”
“For finding courage.”
I pinched my chin as chill bumps rose on my arms. “I lost it there for a minute, didn’t I?”
“A minute or two. Now, seriously, let me look at your head.”
“Oh, it’s just a little thing.”
He pulled my hair apart searching for the gash. “You might need stitches, Mom. It’s not good.”
“I’ll have it checked out.”
The back door opened and closed. Jasper and I looked at each other, and he took a seat next to me. It was time.
Rory found us in the kitchen and announced, “You are now looking at the ex-mayor of Burlington, Vermont.”
“Congratulations,” I muttered, wondering how I would break the next piece of news.You are now unemployed and on your way to a divorce, Mr. Rory Simpson.Perhaps if he hadn’t stomped on my heart, I might have felt more pity for needlessly forcing him to resign; it didn’t matter what he did now.
“Oh, God!” Rory exclaimed, realizing what he was looking at. “What happened to you?” My soon-to-be ex rushed toward me.
I put up my hand to stop him. “I’m fine. I fell outside. It’s okay.”Never again would he come to my rescue, and I was beyond okay with that.
He reached out to touch my arm, but I pushed him away. “Stop, Rory. Just…stop.”
