But I’d love to hear from you, Maeve. I want to know how you’re doing. I want to make sure you’re okay. I hope you’re enjoying your stay back home. How is your mother? How is Mandy? Marilyn and Tim? And the kids?
I’d love to get together when you get back. We could start over, just see each other casually.
Well, bye for now. Looking forward to your message.
Love,
Peter
I draw in a long breath and resist the urge to fling my phone.How is Mandy?What a fake. He never cared for Mandy much. He used to always say she was beneath me. No one is beneath me. And no one is beneath him. Unlike him, I don’t judge a person by their jobs, education, marital status, income, or interests.
…just see each other casually.
So he wants to have his way with me, with no strings attached, no responsibility, and no commitment. He wants me to give away the milk for free, which is what I’ve been doing all these years. Does he want to sleep with other women too?
Ugh…
I hop off my bed and jump to my feet. Blake is crouched low on the floor, digging into the pantry cabinet where he keeps the drinks. I grab his arm and pull him up to me. “I need you.”
He studies me curiously, wide-eyed. “Okkkaay.”
“I need a picture,” I explain as I drag him over to my bed. “It’s for the plan.”
He smiles wide. “Oh… the plan.”
I sit him on the edge of the bed, and snuggle close to him. “Wrap your arm around me,” I command. “Pretend you like me.”
He laughs. “Okay… I’ll try.”
I snap a selfie of the both of us smiling, genuine wide grins. I quickly check the picture – it’s actually a really nice photo of us. “Okay, get lost.”
He laughs. “I’m not sure if I like being a pawn in your little game. I should start charging,” he quips. “Twenty bucks a photo.”
I smile up at him. “You seem to forget that I’m unemployed at the moment.”
He grins. “Okay, I’ll let you use me for free.” He smacks his lips. “Maybe you could give me a foot massage later.”
“Ewwww.” I pull a face. “I’m not going anywhere near those big dirty feet.”
“Well…” He bites his lip. “I could think of other options.”
I smirk at him and say nothing.
“Maybe you could tease me some more,” he says, all smiles.
I know he’s joking around. “You enjoyed that?”
“Very much so.”
Jake suddenly swoops in with a big jug. “I got the water, uncle Blake.”
Blake smiles down at him. “Good job. You’re a good sidekick.”
I pull my gaze away from them and focus on my phone. I select a few pics, including one of the s’mores I took last night, the selfie with Blake, and a sunset photo of the lake. I post them on Instagram and Facebook under the caption,Having a blast camping… just like old times!
There you go, Peter. Take that.
