Page 53 of The Husband Diet
‘Billy. Billy Blackmoore. Eight stitches.’
I sank lower into the sofa, muttering ‘Jesus Christ almighty. What have I done wrong?’
Julian’s voice was gentle. ‘You’ve done nothing wrong, Erica. Kids can be cruel sometimes, and see filth where there is none.’
I looked up at him. ‘So Warren told you what set the fight off?’
‘Of course. Warren tells me everything.’
Uh-oh. ‘Well, noteverything,’ I laughed uneasily as my hand went to my wet ponytail.
‘Everything,’ he said gently.
Did he mean the imminent divorce?
‘Like how you drag them across town to take them roller-skating and to the movies and for a hamburger or bowling. And how you always manage to cut yourself or fall.’
‘Well, what parent doesn’t?’ I said.
Julian looked at me strangely. Really strangely.
‘What?’ I asked. ‘Oh, God, is there more?’
Julian cleared his throat, but his voice was very low, almost raspy, his eyes a darker color, but at the same time brighter, more luminous. ‘Forgive me for telling you this, but Warren also told me how you cry yourself to sleep under the covers. And Paul told me—’
‘About the divorce,’ we said in synch as I nodded knowingly.
The little shit had ratted me out to Julian, as well.
‘I don’t want you to be sad, Erica…’
I looked up at him. His eyes were kind and understanding, almost urging me to let myself go, almost like a physical embrace. An embrace I so needed. And suddenly, I was too tired to keep it all bottled up inside. I felt the tears come in a gush of shame. I tried to stop, but I wasn’t very good at anything these days.
‘It’s so difficult to pretend everything is OK,’ I sniffed, and he nodded.
‘Nothing is easy, Erica. But you’re doing a great job.’
‘Yeah, I’m doing a fan-bloody-tastic job,’ I snorted, and sniffed loudly into a tissue, but soon needed another one to blow my nose.
Julian leaned over and handed me the tissue box on the coffee table. God, what a sight I must have been, with my trackpants, T-shirt, red-and-white striped socks and wet ponytail.
‘You’re not alone, Erica. Paul loves you like a sister and I’m here to help you in any way I can.And…’
I wiped my nose and looked up at him hopefully.
‘… good news. The parents aren’t suing, provided you foot the medical bills. Billy admitted he was bullying Warren.’
I sputtered in relief. ‘Oh, thank God! You’re a good principal, Julian. Thank you so much.’
‘I have to intensify recess watch. Billy had been badgering him about… us for some time now. I must make my mission statement clearer.’
And speaking of being clear. ‘About that… us thing,’ I breathed. ‘We have to stop these… rumors. I know there’s nothing between us, but I can’t see you anymore. For my children’s sake. And for our reputations.’
Julian lowered his eyes. ‘Is there nothing between us, Erica?’ he whispered.
‘I don’t know,’ I whispered back. ‘But I don’t want anybody else to get hurt. I’m very grateful to you and what you’re doing for the kids, but this is where I take a step back.’
He took my hand, still not looking at me, and, sighing, nodded. ‘Erica… I’m sorry if I’ve caused you any trouble. But I’m just a phone call away. Whatever you need.’
