Page 28 of Reformation

“I never put my ring back on after being released from the hospital. I asked Annika the other night to start the separation process so we can get divorced.”

After nearly a month away, Annika returned home, which allowed me to finally have the conversation with her I’ve been trying to have since I was released from the hospital. She didn’t say anything and promptly left again. I have no clue where she’s staying. If I had to guess, my money would be on with the guy who she’s planning on replacing me with.

“Oh, Garrett. God, I am so sorry.” Charlie quickly wraps me in a hug. And while the sentiment is nice, it’s not needed.

“It’s OK,” I say, patting her back as she releases me. “It was a long time coming. Being in the hospital made me realize how unhappy I’ve truly been.”

“I knew something had to be up when we never saw her there, but I really had no idea. I wish you would have told us. We could have helped. I know a guy who can make her disappear in an hour. For a few Benjamins, he can do it quicker than that. Do I need to call him? He does really clean work. One time I used him for—”

Now it’s my turn for the finger in front of the lips. “Stop. I appreciate the offer. And I have no desire to know what this man did for you. I’m fine. Honestly. I haven’t been happy for a long time. Neither has Annika. It became a marriage of convenience, and when you almost die you realize that’s no way to live your life. So I asked her to begin the divorce process.”

We continue walking, Charlie giving my hand a squeeze in reassurance.

“What does that mean? The divorce process?”

“In Virginia, you can’t just get a divorce because you don’t want to be married anymore. You have to be legally separated for six months unless someone commits a felony, is abusing the person, or is cheating on them. Unfortunately, even though I think Annika is cheating on me, I don’t have proof of it, so I asked her for the separation. I even said that I would move out.”

“How’d she respond? I can’t see Annika being asked for a separation and taking it all in stride. Oh God, is she trying to drain you? Did you sign a prenup this time?”

Just then, I see Paige standing a few feet away talking to another parent outside the library, where the meeting is being held. I stop Charlie before we get there, not wanting to continue this conversation at my nephew’s school. Or in front of the woman who has already seen me at my most vulnerable.

“We need booze for that conversation. How about I come over after this meeting? You order the food, I’ll bring the drinks. And that way we can fill my brother in on the shit show that is my life.”

She gives my hand another squeeze, looking to Paige, then back to me. My sister-in-law might be scary, but damn if she doesn’t see right through me.

“Deal. But you better bring the good stuff.”

* * *

Paige

As soon as Garrett walked into the library, the room went quiet. Every mother, Helicopter or not, was in awe of the man walking, no, striding into the room. Even though he came in with Charlie, it didn’t matter. Every woman, whether they were married or single, a lesbian or straight as an arrow, couldn’t take their eyes off of him. I’m pretty sure even one of the mother’s emotional support chihuahua was smitten.

Once he told everyone about the grand prize for each grade—a field trip to a Norfolk Tides baseball game—everyone with ovaries was volunteering to be a chaperone. When I reminded them that their child’s class might not win, they brushed it aside and still signed up. They all assumed Garrett would be attending. I wasn’t about to tell them that all he did was facilitate.

“Garrett, thank you again, so much, for working with the Tides and getting the winning class tickets to a game. We didn’t know how we could get our kids to want to participate in Miss Blackstone’s project until you came in and saved the day.”

It takes all I have to not roll my eyes at Amalie’s speech. Cassie was right at the beginning of the year that Annabelle was the daughter of the woman every teacher at Jefferson Elementary hates with the fire of a thousand suns. She and her cronies are everywhere, hence our nickname. And because her daughter is in my class, I get to see her every day. If it’s not a crack about the food drive, it’s a dig about my teaching style, because of course, she feels that her daughter should know more than she already does.

Every day I take her comments in stride. And every day I bite my tongue and refrain from asking her why her daughter insists on trying to eat glue sticks.

“I didn’t do anything except make a phone call,” Garrett says, trying to brush off the compliment. “Paige has done all the work. You should be thanking her.”

“Oh, Miss Blackstone knows how much we value her. She’s a treasure to have here at Jefferson. I was so happy when I was told she would be Annabelle’s teacher this year.”

“Bullshit.” The fake cough Cassie tries to use to cover up her reply isn’t as subtle as she would have liked, and any other time I’d be elbowing her to behave. But I don’t have it in me today. In fact, I can’t help but let out a small laugh.

“Excuse me?” Amalie asks Cassie. “Did you say something, Miss Green?”

“I said bull—”

“Well, thank you all for coming,” I say, stopping Cassie and Amalie before things get out of hand. “It seems that we have everything in order. Everyone has six weeks to collect as many non-perishable items as possible. Grade winners will be announced at the spring carnival, which I will be heading up with the help of the parent advisory board. Class moms, if you need anything else, please let me know. And if there’s nothing else, we are set. Food drive begins now!”

The volunteers and the handful of teachers who agreed to help begin to scatter out of the library as I unceremoniously plop down in my seat.

“Who the hell is that bitch?” I look up to see Charlie standing in front of me, her scowl pointing straight to Amalie.

“That’s Amalie Brainard. At least, I think that’s her last name now. I can’t keep track,” Cassie says, taking a seat next to me. “And I’m Cassie Green. I teach fourth grade, and judging by the way you began this conversation, we are about to be best friends.”

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