Page 34 of Enough
Mike takes a step toward me with his hands out, and I lift mine to stop him from coming closer.
“I just wanted to say how sorry I am for everything. The things I said to you last night, they weren’t true. Nothing was true. I was angry and I lashed out. I made stuff up that I thought would hurt you. It was childish and insensitive. I know my behavior was completely inexcusable. I wish I could go back and handle things differently.”
I eye him suspiciously. Does he really think I’m buying a single word?
“I’m so sorry about our baby. So sorry, Everly.” He takes another step toward me, and I tell him to stop.
“You mean you’re sorry aboutmybaby? MY BABY?”
“Everly, please don’t. I know you’re angry with me, but I feel the loss too. I’m sad too.”
“Fuck you, Mike Haley! Fuck you and your apologies and your mind games. Fuck you for your words and your anger. Fuck you for your pity and your lies. I’ve known you for almost twelve years. Do you really think I can’t tell the difference between a lie and the truth, especially now?”
“Everly, I swear. None of it was true! I made it all up!”
I feel the pain of my jagged nails biting into my palms. I didn’t even realize how tightly my hands were clenched. “Where did you go last night?” I question forcibly.
His eyes glaze over and he clears histhroat. “I went to my parents’.”
I nod my head knowingly, and a small smile lifts the corner of my mouth.
“What?” he questions with his hands in the air.
“How much did they offer you this time? How much do you get if you stay with me another year? Your doctorate? The house in their will?” I shift my hands in front of my chest, making an invisibleX, and shake my head. “Never mind, I don’t really give a shit. I’m tired of being your excuse for the sadness that consumes your life. Find someone else to blame. I’m done.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? You’re done?” He laughs, altering his posture and crossing his arms. “Where are you going to go?” he questions. “I’m all you have, Everly. I’m all you have.”
“Like fuck you are!” I hear and see Gwen’s anger as she enters the room. “Back the fuck away from her, you piece of shit, or I’ll blacken your other eye!”
I gasp loudly.
Mike places his hands up in defense and turns his head to face me. “I should press charges.” It was meant to sound tough, but it comes out like a whimper.
“Go ahead,” Gwen states as she steps toward him. “Go ahead and tell everyone how a tiny five-foot, four-inch girl kicked your ass. Make sure you add how you begged me to stop and how you cried after I hit you.”
Mike takes another step backward and lifts his eyes to the clock on the wall. “This isn’t done, Everly. We’ll talk about this when I get home. I have a meeting. I need to go.”
As he slowly backs out around Gwen, she adds, “Oh yeah. We’ll definitely talk about it tonight. All three of us.”
“What do you mean all three of us?” he questions.
“Oh… didn’t you tell him?” She directs the question toward me and I’m dumbfounded. “I’m moving in,” she states. “Along with Grandma Kay. You know, to help Ev recover and to guard her from your sorry ass and your sorry lies.”
“Like hell you are!” he shouts.
“Hey, if you don’t like it, I’m sure your mommy and daddy would be thrilled to have your pathetic ass back under their roof. Maybe you’ll get a new car out of it.”
“Fuck you, Gwen!”
Gwen lurches toward him and Mike all but runs from the room.
I feel a single tear flit down my cheek.
Her shoulders slump when she sees my face. “Hey…” Concern flows from her words. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have gone on like that with him. I know how hard all of this is on you. I just hate him.” She visibly shakes. “I. HATE. HIM. I can say that with complete and total honesty.”
I sniffle.
“I know I invited myself over,” she continues, “and I would totes understand if you don’t want me to move in.”
