Page 63 of The Family Man

I brace myself on the grills, after all this work developing a relationship with my kids I have to do it all over again.

* * *

SAGE

I haven’t heard from Zac all day. I lean against my car, waiting for Emily to show up to her house. I hear the engine of her sports car speeding up the driveway.

She comes to a hard halt and steps out of her car, and leaves her car door wide open. “That fucker! How can I make him see?”

She passes me, not even aware of my presence “Hi, Ms. Montcroix.”

She stops mid stride and turns around. The look on her face makes me step back a little. She seems a little possessed.

“Do you want me to come back another time?” I ask.

“No, I’m sorry. I met my ex and well.” She motions to her face, which has runny makeup from her crying.

I reach into my bag and hand her a handkerchief. “Here.”

“Let’s go inside.” I follow her through the atrium, then she plops herself on the fainting couch in the great room.

“Can I ask you something, Sage?”

“Sure.” I place my folders and bag to the side of me as I sit.

“How did you get your boyfriend?”

“Wow, um I didn’t. It just happened. We met and we connected,” Was I going to tell her I threw dog poop on him? No!

She shakes her head “What should I do? I want my boyfriend back!” she pulls at her hair.

“Make him see you.” When I said those words the emotions on her face shifted.

“I will make him see me.” She stands up and begins to usher me out. “Can we reschedule to next Monday?”

“That will be fine. I’m leaving the prints from the designer here for you.” I stand and walk out the door.

“Thank you so much Sage. I will send the money for your consultation today.”

“What? No. It’s okay. We didn’t talk.”

“Yes, but your time is expensive.” Well, that was true. I walk out to my car.

“Hey, Ms. Montcroix. Let that man see just how awesome you are.” Cassia says women should encourage women. I did my part for the day.

“I will set his world afire with my love.” She smiles.

I give her the thumbs up and jump into my car.

I press call on my steering wheel. “Call Zac.”

The phone rang three times then he answered, “Hey.”

His tone is off but that’s okay. “Hi. How is your day.”

“I can’t really talk right now. Can I call you back later?” He sounds stressed. “Sure okay,” before I can say bye he hangs up.

I inhale, my mind begins to sprout doubt. Thinking that I had sex too early with him, that he got what he wanted and now he is done.