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“That’s what you said, dear.”
I dart my gaze back to Fran. “That is not what I said.”
“More or less.” Grammy waves her hand, seated in Gramp’s recliner chair. “You said you’d never seen so many muscles on a man before and that his arms could be works of art.”
I clear my throat. “I said that he works out.”
“Mm-hmm,” Fran hums. She nibbles on her lip. “And you guys talk…”
“Mostly about books.” I shrug. I don’t know what she’s getting at.
“Does he know about your—”
“NO,” I bark. “And I’m not about to tell him.”
She sighs. “Okay. Well, does he know other things? Like that you’re a teacher?”
I scoff. “No. Why would I tell him that? I’m not.”
“Sweetie,” Fran says, wrapping one arm around me. “You are a teacher. A dang good one. You should be proud.”
“A teacher who doesn’t remember one day in the classroom. A teacher who switched from secondary to elementary with no clue as to why she would have done so. I have a degree—”
“You have a job,” Fran says.
“One I’m not even sure how to do. I’m going to tell them to consider my sick leave over. I won’t be back.”
“Rose!”
But I come right back at her with my own bark. “Fran! I don’t remember going to school. I don’t remember graduating.”
“Maybe if we talked about it more.”
I sit up, out of her hold, and glare at the woman. What is she suggesting?
Grammy claps, snatching our attention. “We’ve had a lot of excitement today, girls. Let’s be done arguing. Rosalie’s on a new path, Fran. She’ll get to where she needs to be. Have faith.”
Grammy makes it sound so simple. As if I’ve decided to take a trip and we’re just arguing over the map and which road to take.
Me: You were right. I was wrong. And I need you to forgive me.
Zev: Rosalie?
Me: Am I not in your contacts?
Zev: You are. Of course you are. I… I’m unsure what I’m forgiving you for.
Me: Oh.
Me: Yesterday. With Robert. One, I should never have told him you were my boyfriend. Two, he’s not a scumbag. But he is married. I shouldn’t—and wouldn’t—consider seeing him socially.
Zev: I already forgave you. I was never angry.
Me: I needed to say it again.
Zev: Okay then, let me say this—
Zev: One, I’m not offended that you fabricated our relationship. If you happen to run into any more exes with a need for a boyfriend, I’m at your service.
