Page 63 of Together

“Because I’m hungry and can’t decide what to eat and need ideas.”

I grin and dry my face, keeping my phone on speaker because I don’t feel like pressing it to my ear. “You’re so strange. I grabbed two slices of pizza and a Naked Juice from the gas station on the way home because there was an abundance of disgusting teeth to clean today and I didn’t have the energy for anything else. And I had some pretzels for a snack.”

“With mustard? Damn, that sounds good. What kind of pizza?”

“Just pepperoni. It’s all they had.”

“Still sounds really good. I’m starving.”

I climb into bed, dropping my phone on the mattress and sit cross-legged facing it. Then I pick up my hand lotion off my nightstand. “Order a pizza and pick it up on your way home.”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

I want to tell her to ask her husband to make something for her but I won’t reopen that can of worms. After rubbing in the lotion to my hands and forearms, I pull my hair up into a messy bun on top of my head and pick up my book, opening it to where I stuffed my bookmark.

“Stick with me, kid, I’ve got all the good ideas.”

“Especially when it comes to food. Not so much when it comes to when you’re drunk.”

I look at my phone and think for two seconds about how to respond. Rather than saying anything, I let actions speak louder than words. Just as I hear the beginning of an apology start to leak out of her rude mouth, I hit End on the phone, effectively silencing whatever she was about to say.

What is wrong with her?

My phone buzzes with a text.

Grace:I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

Me:That’s the last time I hear you talk like that. Understand?

Me:It’s rude and I won’t tolerate it.

Grace:Understood. I’m sorry and I mean that. I’m so pissed about Samuel.

Me:I know you are. It’s okay to be mad. Hell, it’s okay to tell him to fuck off, or whatever you need to do. He’s in the wrong here. No matter what he tried to tell you, he is wrong.

Grace:Yeah. I agree. I don’t understand why he would do that, though?

Me:Because he’s an idiot?

Grace:Can I come over? I promise I won’t say anything else stupid. I just don’t want to go home and have to deal with him.

Me:Of course. You sure you can drive this far tonight?

Grace:I’m sure. I’m stopping for food and then I’ll be there. About an hour. Is that okay? I know you’re in bed now.

Me:You’re always welcome here, Grace. I’ll leave the front door unlocked. Just come on in and lock it behind you.

Grace:Small town living, huh?

Me:It’s the best. Drive safe. Love you.

Grace:I will. Love you right back. Thanks for letting me come over. See you soon.

True to her word, Grace shows up an hour later. She doesn’t hesitate to come into my room, find some clothes to change into in my closet, use my spare toothbrush and face wash, then climbs into bed with me.

“I’m sorry,” she says, wrapping her arms around me.

“I already told you it was forgiven. But I meant what I said, if you continue to talk down to me about this baby or Nik, you’ll find yourself out of this baby’s life, and possibly mine.”

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