Page 19 of Staying for You

Her nights would be spent at bars and local sporting events, flirting with as many men who would give her attention and doing her best to feel like a woman again. But this meant that I would then need to take care of my younger siblings. Thus, my life was spent as a caretaker. I was menu planning, grocery shopping, cooking all our meals and packing lunches, checking homework and signing permission slips all while making sure that I was staying on the Honor Roll and trying to have a social life of my own.

I complained, for sure, because I was young and it wasn’t fair or normal. But I never minded, either. My brothers needed me and so did my mom. It wasn’t that she was a bad person. Not even in the slightest. She’d just lost her way for a bit and I was there to catch her as she fell.

After watching her drop everything and care for my father without hesitation after his accident left him without the use of his legs and extensive brain damage, being there for her and taking some of the burden that she had carried on her shoulders for so long was easy. It changed who I was and turned me into who I am today. A woman whose heart is in helping others.

“Cami? You still there?”

I startle at the sound of Scott’s voice through my phone. I had drifted away right along with my thoughts.

“Shit. Yes. I’m here. I was just thinking.”

“I’m surprised I didn’t hear you typing away as you write a new story about me.”

The corner of my mouth ticks up. It feels good to not yell at each other. We weren’t just husband and wife. At one point, we were friends, too. “I’ll get there. Don’t you worry your pretty little head.”

“Aww. You still think I’m pretty?”

“Oh, whatever. So, tell me all the things.” I shimmy down farther into my chair and wrap my blanket around me tighter. I’m so cozy and comfortable. Warm coffee on the arm rest and an excited tremor rolls through my stomach like a bucket of butterflies were just let loose. Just the thought of some juicy gossip that could turn into book research has my heart racing. “How’d you get started? What is it you do? What type of women do you take out? Do you sleep with them? What’s with this porn addiction you clearly have? Do you wear leopard print thongs and dance around for these people? Have men ever called you up for your escort services? Oh my gosh! Have you had to do it with a guy? Are you bisexual now? Have you always been?”

“Shit, Cami, what the hell?” His voice holds equal parts humor and annoyance, meanwhile my voice picked up in speed with every question I asked. I’m so curious. Now that I know — and I do know, even though most would question why I trust him — that I am not in danger of having an STD from him.

“Hey. You’re the one not smart enough to use a different password for your online banking or even use a different bank.”

“Well, excuse me for assuming that you weren’t that nosey. You shouldn’t have been snooping.”

I roll my eyes. “Pssh. Like you wouldn’t have done the exact same if I’d have been the one to text you asking for money.”

“Touché.” He laughs deep and hardy and I wonder if that means he’s been trying to snoop in my banking as well. Joke’s on him. I’m smarter and changed all passwords so he wouldn’t have access.

“And, hello! Of course I’m that nosey. Did youjustmeet me?”

“You’re right. Like usual.”

“You’re seriously not going to give me any writing material? Scott. Come on! You owe me. And this? It’s gold! If you don’t start talking, I’ll just make it up. You know how big my imagination is.” I’m practically bouncing in my seat so excited. Snow flurries start to drift down from the sky and there’s a dampness in the air that tells me we’ll be seeing more than just flurries soon.

“Like you won’t make it up anyway.”

“It would be better if it was one of those “Based on true events” deals.”

“You’re insane.”

“I was married to you for eight years. That’s been established.” I make a zinging noise to drive home the fact that I think I just sent a zinger his way and then slurp really loudly from my coffee cup.

He barks out a laugh. “Boy, what’s gotten into you?”

I shrug, feeling light and happy. Sipping coffee, staring out at one of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen, toasty warm from the space heater, he’s right.Somethinghas definitely gotten into me.

This place.

Already.

“Well, this has been fun.”

“It has, hasn’t it? It would be more fun if you’d tell me all the details.”

“Maybe we can work something out.”

I roll my eyes. “Let me guess. For money? Seriously, Scott. What the heck are you doing with it? And why?”

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