Page 83 of Forever Endeavor

“Wandering Willy Syndrome. That is you by reputation, is it not?”

He shifted uncomfortably. “Look, I don’t know what Billie told you, but—”

Billie dropped her fork. “What do you want?”

“I just came over to say hello. You’re looking well.”

“Because I am well,” she said. “It’s remarkable what losing a hundred and seventy-seven pounds of cheating narcissist will do for you.”

“I see you haven’t lost that caustic wit, Billie,” he said. “But maybe if you did, you might be able to find yourself a new man.”

Son of a bitch.Billie opened her mouth to speak but Carmen’s voice came out instead.

“Let me be the first to tell you what you’re obviously the last to know. And that’s that Billie is happier and more fulfilled than she’s ever been. You are nothing but a long-forgotten footnote now that she has turned the page and started a new chapter with a new love, who is absolutely wild about her and, from what I hear, a complete beast in the bedroom.”

Carmen! What are you doing?

“R-really?” he questioned Billie.

“Frankly, it’s none of your business, just as your life is no longer of any concern or consequence to me. We did not part amicably and we are certainly not friends, but since you asked, I’m well and I sincerely wish you the same.”

“Thanks, but I—”

“I’m not finished,” Billie interrupted. “While I appreciate you acknowledging my presence, the intrusion was as unnecessary as it was rude. Should you see me in the future, I suggest you do as I intend and simply act as if we don’t know each other. Now would you please go away and allow us to enjoy our lunch without further disruption?”

“Sure,” he said sheepishly as he bowed out.

“Nice to meet you, Wandering Willy. Be sure to ask your doctor about that WWS,” Carmen called out. “Perhaps he can prescribe something for your wee schmekel issue.”

Roars of laughter came from diners seated nearby. “You handled that superbly, my dear,” Carmen commended.

Billie violently stabbed at her cooled gnocchi. “Ugh. What did I ever see in him?”

“What matters is that you’ve seen him for who he really is. Trust me, you don’t know a man until you’ve divorced him.”

“You’re so right,” Billie said. “I suppose I didn’t know who I was until I got divorced either. I’ve learned a lot in the past couple of years, including that I deserve better.”

Carmen delivered a fist bump of sisterly solidarity across the table. “Yes, you do! Don’t you dare let that cheating loser be the last thing you ever invest yourself in.”

“Still, you really shouldn’t have told him I was seeing someone.”

“Living well is the best revenge, my dear, and besides it’s not untrue. Your heart obviously belongs to another, and if it’s meant to be, you’ll find your way back to him.”

Billie rested her fork on the edge of her plate and pressed the cloth napkin to her lips. “Carmen, you’re absolutely right. In the meantime, I’m not going to wait around for my happily ever after. It’s time I take charge of my life, put in the work, and make it happen.”

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