Page 35 of The Gathered Fragments of Us
"Dad. No one writes notes anymore. Can I do a video instead?"
I scoffed. "Fine. If notes are toooldfor you, then a video sounds like a cool idea. I bet she’d like that just as much."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Your relationship with Felicity matters. And your feelings are yours and yours alone."
Macy hugged me tight. "Thanks, Dad."
"Now go pack up."
"Okay. Mom should be here soon. Can I do the video when I get back to mom’s house? I want to think about what to say since all this stuff is different now."
"Sure kiddo. That sounds like a good plan." I reached over and hugged my daughter. I need to figure out how to deal with Jessica. One thing is for certain, I’ve clearly fallen asleep at the wheel with Jessica’s treatment of Felicity’s relationship with Macy.
Since we divorced when Macy was just a toddler, I don’t think I ever considered the kinds of things that could be going on under the surface. We both met our current spouses years ago. Why there would be such animosity is beyond me.
My jaw clenched, but I forced myself to stay calm. I watched Jessica’s car pull into the driveway and felt my fingers curl into fists at my sides. The words I’d swallowed for years burned in my throat, begging to be unleashed. But when I glanced back at Macy’s hunched shoulders as she packed, I forced my hands to unclench. Not now. First, get Macy off with as little damage as possible. Felicity would be landing soon, and the house was ready for her return. The confrontation with Jessica could wait.
But I won’t be asleep at the wheel any longer. Felicity will know. And this shit won’t stand.
Chapter 17: I Didn't Know What to Say
~Macy~
I sat in the car, holding my phone tight in my hands, trying to think about what to say. It was hard to focus though—Mom's been silent the whole ride. When Mom is quiet, she is mad.
Her lips seemed tight, and she just kept tapping the steering wheel.
I turned to face the window so I wouldn't see her mad face. Thinking about what Dad had told me — that it was okay to take my time if I wanted to get the video just right. I really wanted Felicity to know that I was sorry. My cheeks burned hot just remembering the moment I pulled the purse from its wrapping. Sure, it had been hidden in my closet, but I should have thought of her. The way Felicity’s smile faltered when she saw me clutching it—my stomach knotted every time I replayed it.
I looked back at my phone, and smiled a little, thinking of the surprise we’d planned. I’d helped dad do the grocery shopping for their dinner and he taught me how to cook it and put it all together. I'd had a lot of fun with that. I don't usually help in the kitchen—mom doesn't really cook, though Felicity always lets me help if she's cooking. Dad also let me pick a bouquet of flowers that are from just me. He did his own too, but I got to have my own picked out for Felicity which was really cool and super fun to do. The lady at the flower shop helped me put some colors and different flowers together for it.
I really hope she likes the bouquet. I was kinda sad, though, that I didn't get to be there to give them to her.
Before I knew it, we had pulled into the driveway. Mom cut the engine fast and got out like she was late for something.
Inside, I followed her to the kitchen.
"Hey, Mom?" I tried.
She didn’t look up. "Put your things away."
I hesitated. "Okay. Um… also, Dad said I could record a quick video. For Felicity. Can I do it here?"
That got her attention.
She turned slowly from the counter, face blank. Her eyes looked glassy, unfocused for a second, like she was somewhere else before snapping back to me. "A video?"
"Yeah, for Felicity."
"Why?"
"I didn’t get to see her before we left, and I just wanted to say—"
"No."
I blinked. "What?"x
