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Ruby had missed so much.
Olivia told her about Mr. Pokey, her classroom’s new pet turtle, and about how Madison Meyer had thrown up in class during carpet time. She told Ruby about a new kid in her class who “talked funny” but was nice and about how they’d had indoor recess this week because of snow.
Ruby soaked it all in, hardly believing she was actually talking to her daughter after so long apart.
“I’m glad you’re having fun at school,” Ruby said. “I bet you’re having fun with your dad too.”
It was a fishing expedition, the only way Ruby could think of to get a read on how Olivia was doing with Adam when he was probably breathing down her neck.
There was a pause, and Ruby wondered if Olivia was looking at Adam, gauging her ability to be honest.
She fought the urge to scream. This was why she’d left Adam, because she hadn’t wanted Olivia to have to tiptoe around him like Ruby did, hadn’t wanted Olivia to guard her words, censor her feelings.
“It’s okay,” Olivia said.
The truth was in the dejected tone of her voice, the lack of excitement she’d projected while telling Ruby about school.
“Well, I can’t wait to see you,” Ruby said. No point pushing a sore subject when there wasn’t a thing Ruby could do about it. “I miss you like crazy!”
“I want you to come home now.” Ruby recognized the whine in her daughter’s voice. Olivia was on the verge of losing it, and Ruby had no doubt that wouldn’t improve the situation with Adam.
Whatever Roman had said — or done to him — probably already had him in a foul mood.
“I want to come home too,” Ruby said. “And I promise I’m working to make it happen super soon.”
“Is your business trip almost over?” Olivia asked.
The sound of her daughter’s small voice obliterated Ruby’s sorrow and replaced it with pure unadulterated hatred for Adam.
How dare he. How dare he do this to their daughter.
She didn’t even want to think about his original intent — to eliminate Ruby entirely. Just… dissolve her as if she’d never even existed for Olivia.
Ruby had to force the words out around the fury in her throat. “It is. So close! I’ll be back before you know it. And I’ll call you again tomorrow.”
“You will?” Olivia asked, a note of hope in her voice.
“I will. Same time, okay?”
“Promise?”
“Cross my heart,” Ruby said.
“Okay.”
“I love you so much, honey. I can’t wait to hear about your day tomorrow,” Ruby said.
“I love you too, Mommy.”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow. And Olivia?”
“What?”
“Be good for your dad okay?” Ruby closed her eyes, hating herself for saying it even as she knew she was protecting Olivia. The easier Olivia was for Adam, the better things would go for her.
“Okay. Bye, Mommy.”
Ruby waited for Olivia to hang up the phone, half expecting Adam to get on and rip Ruby a new one for daring to call.
