Page 80 of Rebound

“Okay. When are we going?” Seth asks.

He slams the bedroom door and paces like a caged lion while I put our clothes in the dresser drawers. He’ll talk when he wants to, so I won’t push him.

“Do you know what the fucking shrink had the nerve to say to me?” he asks. I guess that didn’t take long. After closing the top drawer, I turn to face him. “Other than the usual ‘it’s not his fault’ bullshit, he asked me why I continue to take care of him if I’m so angry. Why build him this house and find him a doctor instead of walking away for good? The fucking nerve. I should fire his ass. He’s not here to question me. His job is to fix that hot mess downstairs.”

He plops himself on the bed and lies back to stare at the ceiling.

“Why do you?” I ask. “And I’m not talking about the house. You’re rich, so that’s nothing to you. I know you well enough to know you wouldn’t abandon him with nothing, but why do you take his calls? Why do you visit? Why do you make hibachi just because he likes it? Why don’t you just take care of him financially and leave the rest alone?”

He sighs and covers his face with his hands. “I like hibachi too,” he says with a shrug. When I remain quiet, he says, “Because despite everything, he’s all I have. At least he was before Jasmine and you. Until a year ago, he was all I had, and as much as I hate him sometimes, I can’t quit him. I’m just as fucked up as he is.”

I walk to him and look down. After several seconds, he peeks through his fingers, and I grin at him.

“You’re a good son,” I say. “A good person.” I take his hands and try to pull him into a sitting position, but he’s much too strong. He finally takes mercy on me and sits up on his own. I sit next to him. He puts his arm across my shoulders and I rest my head on his.

“You’re not so bad either,” he says before he kisses my temple. “Thanks for listening.”

“Spousal privilege,” I remind him.

“It will be my privilege to give you another dirty Whorekowski tonight.”

“You’re damn right, it will be.”

He lifts me onto his lap. “I don’t ever want to come visit without you again.” He holds up his pinky finger. “Promise me.”

I wrap my finger around his. “You won’t ever have to.”

We sit in silence, and I enjoy this quiet moment with my husband. The man I once detested has slowly become my best friend. I move my head and sniff the side of his neck. He smells so good. We stay like this until we hear a soft knock on the door. After I yell come in, Pete sticks his head in. I try to slide off Seth’s lap, but he holds me in place.

“Jasmine is asking to go outside,” he says. As if she understands, Jasmine bounces in his arms and claps her hands. “I’ll go out there with you.” He looks away when he says it, but Seth’s brows shoot to his forehead.

“Are you sure, Dad?” he asks. “Don’t push it.”

“I’m sure. Today wasn’t my first day. I’ve done it a few times before with Dr. Reynolds.”

“Oh!” I say, jumping off Seth’s lap. “Did I ever tell you two that I played on the girls’ basketball team in high school? Wecame this close to winning a championship.” I put my thumb and index finger close together. Then I start to bounce an imaginary ball between my legs.

“I know someone who’s won two championships,” Seth throws in. I shoot the imaginary ball, and he blocks it. I grab the imaginary ball again and pretend I’m going to shoot, only to fake him out and go around him.

“You know what? Let’s take this outside,” I say to Seth. “I’m gonna whip your ass for real.”

He throws his head back and gives me a carefree laugh. “You’re gonna beat my ass at basketball? Yeah. Okay. It’s on.”

“I’m gonna go change,” I say, suddenly excited.

“Whatever. Nothing will save you from the humiliation you’re about to feel.” He takes Jasmine from Pete and growls at her. “Game face!” he yells. Even Pete takes a step back. “Grrr,” he says to Jasmine. She bares her teeth and growls back. He tosses her in the air. “Game face!”

“Ame face,” she says back with a giggle.

They growl and make noises all the way out of the room and down the hall.

Pete stands there with his eyes wide and says, “They’re nuts.”

Chapter 50

Seth

I snort when I see her in my jersey and a pair of high tops. She has matching shorts and her hair is in a high ponytail. She walks past me with her head held high.

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