Page 330 of Safe With You

“What did you tell him?”

“That if he wanted to know how you were doing, he should’ve cared more about that when he had you.”

I stopped.

“Mama.”

“What?”

Despite myself, a laugh slipped out.

“You really said that?”

“I did.”

“Oh my God.”

“He asked me a question. I answered.”

“That was not an answer.”

“It was mine.”

I shook my head, but some of the tightness in my chest eased.

“What else did you say?”

“That you’re doing well.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

I waited.

Something in her pause caught my attention.

“Mama.”

“What?”

“What else did he ask?”

She sighed.

I closed my eyes.

“Mama.”

“He asked if you were seeing anybody.”

My eyes opened.

For some reason, that landed differently.

“What did you tell him?”

“Nothing.”