Page 28 of Ruthless Lullaby

“The one that lasted three weeks?”

“Yeah, him. Nice guy, handsome as hell, but he would not stop talking about pipe bursts and how he repelled them. Like, zero ability to change the subject. In the end, when I heard the word 'pipe' I wanted to scream."

"Riveting conversation," Betty deadpans with an eye roll. "Definitely a major turn-on."

"Oh, that he was.” I let out a sarcastic snort. “And then...! There was the alcoholic actor. You know, the one who showed up pissed on our dates?"

Betty cringes. "How can I forget,” she winks. “I had to come collect your drunk butt from that sketchy bar because he was too sloshed to get you home safely."

Shaking my head, I can't help but chuckle at the ridiculous streak of dating fuckups from my past. "I think I might deserve an award from ‘the world's shittiest dater’ competition."

Betty looks at me, her face turning serious. "You know, Mindy," she says, "if I ever get fired from Global Media, I won't bother looking for another soul-sucking corporate job. No way.I already made up my mind. I'll launch my online business and maybe even become a digital nomad. Maybe start off in Bali."

"A digital nomad?" I exclaim, "you have a business idea?"

"A matchmaking website. Rich guys looking serious for relationships."

"Woah, not bad, Bets! Count me in as your first customer."

"Sure. That's if you don't find someone better than Maurice first."

I shake my head. "Unlikely. But really Bets, online matchmaking is a killer idea. Just don't forget to screen any potential candidates for their propensity to snore. Like that notorious snorer I dated."

Betty's eyes go wide as she bursts out laughing. "Tony, right? The one we called ‘Tony the tractor’, because he sounded like one in his sleep. The neighbors called the police on you two because they thought someone was being brutally murdered in your apartment!"

I groan, covering my face with my hands as the mortifying memory comes rushing back. The tears are still flowing, but I can’t help but laugh at the ridiculous memory. "That's right, the cops actually showed up! I had to explain to them that it was just my date's unmerciful snoring that kept everyone awake."

Betty cackles at the sheer absurdity of it all. "And you still went out with him for a month after that. Your dedication to shitty dates is admirable, Mindy."

"Well in my defense, the snoring was slightly more bearable when he wasn't staying over," I reason with a sheepish grin, laughing along with her, but I didn’t miss her point about‘dedication to shitty dates’. I know she’s right. "Maybe I really didn't have such a bad thing going on with Maurice after all, huh? In comparison at least. He looked so much like a normal family guy." My smile falters as I remember how much it still hurts to think about him leaving me.

Betty squeezes my hand sympathetically. "If that’s any comfort," she says hesitantly, "I never liked Maurice. I know I never told you, but I always thought he was... selfish and commitmentphobic. You deserve so much better."

I pull back, my brow furrowing as I process her words. "What do you meancommitmentphobic? We were together for over two years and were literally about to have a baby via IVF. How is that a commitmentphobia?"

Betty sighs, brushing my tear-streaked hair from my face. "Look Min. I know it seemed like he was fully committed on the surface. But I saw little signs over the years. He got antsy every time the relationship got too serious or took big steps forward. Like he wanted to be a couple, but as soon as it became 'forever' serious, he started pulling away."

Fresh tears well in my eyes as her words ring true deep down. "I guess… you're right, Bets. I think I knew that about him too, I just didn't want to face it. I was so desperate for the relationship to work so that I could finally have a family. Especially after… the accident."

Tears are now streaming down my cheeks all over again. Betty pulls me into another hug. "Ssh, it’s okay, girl. I know how much you miss Emily. But I’m here for you and I’m not going anywhere." Her words only make me cry even more tears. Betty hugs me tighter. "I wish I could take away your pain, Mindy. Butall I can do is be here for you, whenever you need me. You're not alone in this, I promise you that."

I cling to her, my anchor in the storm of grief that threatens to sweep me away, almost every day. "Thank you, Bets. I don't know what I'd do without you."

When she finally pulls away from the hug, she looks at me with determination in her eyes. "Listen, Min. You deserve someone who loves you and values you wholeheartedly. Maurice doesn't deserve your tears. There's someone out there for you who will jump in with both feet. I just know it."

"Well, maybe." I sigh, "But I don't have time for self-pity now, Betty. I need money. Because if all that shit wasn't enough, Mom needs more treatment for her cancer and I'm the only one who can pay for it."

“Shit,” Betty says. "I know it really sucks, but I’m here for you."

I heave a big sigh. "At least it's treatable. But the insurance only covers half of the expenses. I need to scrape the other half. Alexis is useless… so I'm going back to New York High to sing again. It's the only way I can make enough cash quickly."

"New York High? You sure?" Betty protests, shaking her head vehemently. "You are so much more than a singer in some seedy club, Mindy. You've got your accounting degree and years of experience. Every big company would be happy to hire someone like you."

"Except Maron Korolev is unlikely to give me a good reference." I pull a face. "And even if he does, it'll probably be something like‘Besides sending me and the company executives her nude photos and her amateur porn video, Miss Williamswas an asset to our team’."I let out a bitter laugh. "My career in accounting just got flushed down the toilet, Bets. Right now, singing is all I have. So," I continue, "I took action."

"What action?" Betty asks.

"I went to New York High earlier today. Kevin, the owner, offered me a gig straight away."

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