2.5 hr break between classes on Mondays. I could bring you lunch. And Roman. And Dr. Hathaway.
I stare at the last line of her text. Julie is living with me. Helping me. Allowing me more time with Roman. I’m grateful. Of that, there is no question. But it doesn’t bode well for my time with Dorothy.
Me. My son. My girlfriend. And … my ex-wife.
But maybe that’s it. I mean … I’ve seen it before. I’ve seen those rare instances where couples divorce. Share custody. And actually remain friends. Friends with each other. Friends with each other’s new love interests. Maybe it doesn’t have to be an awkward situation. Maybe it can be an opportunity.
After all, Julie left me. There should be no jealousy on her part. And Dorothy idolizes Julie, so they stand a good chance of becoming friends.
Me: That would be awesome. I’ll pay you back.
Dorothy: Not concerned about the money. I’ll text you the menu so you guys can decide what you want. I can be there by 11:30. (high-five emoji)
Me: Sounds perfect. Can’t wait to see you! (high-five emoji, heart emoji)
I start to type “I love you,” but delete it. She knows. I told her with no uncertainty exactly how I feel. No need to suffocate her with the words. But damn! I sure do feel them.
Dorothy: Love you! Goodnight! (Face blowing a kiss emoji, sleeping emoji)
“What’s that grin all about?”
I glance up as Julie takes the last two steps. A curious grin on her face.
Our newfound friendship doesn’t seem ready for me to tell her I can’t stop grinning because Dorothy Mayhem loves me. And she said it with emojis too. Yeah, I’m over the fucking moon, ready to bust out of my cast and do a happy dance.
Okay, maybe not quite yet. My body needs a little more time to catch up to my emotional enthusiasm.
“Just reading a message.” I toss my phone on the sofa beside me.
“From your mom?” Julie sits at the opposite end of the sofa, hugging her knees to her chest.
It’s hard to not stare at her. I’m still not used to her new look, and she’s had it for months.
“No. It was Dorothy. Her shift just ended. She’s stopping by tomorrow between classes, bringing all of us lunch.”
Oh … and she loves me.
Julie rolls her lips together and nods. “That’s … sweet.”
I ignore the way she makes it sound like Dorothy is a neighbor girl bringing by a May Day basket for Roman.
“As grateful as I am for what you’re doing, I can’t help but wonder if it won’t put a kink in your personal life. I hope you know that my family can help. Definitely on the weekends. If you want to make plans or even stay at your place on the weekends, I’ll be fine. You know my family would take care of me and Roman.”
“Wow! I haven’t been here a full day and you’re dismissing me?” Julie’s eyes widen.
“No.” I chuckle. “I’m just thinking ahead is all. I feel like we all agreed to this arrangement without giving it thorough consideration.”
“Well…” her lips twist as she averts her gaze to the coffee table “…my personal life isn’t as exciting at the moment as what you probably imagine.”
“I try not to imagine your personal life.”
She ignores my jab.
“I was seeing someone. I didn’t tell anyone. Never introduced Roman to him.” She glances at me with a flat smile as if to make me feel guilty for Dorothy’s and Roman’s relationship.
Fuck you. Dorothy’s amazing. It’s your own fault you’re not finding people who adore our son like Dorothy does.
“He went back to his family.”
“Is that code for you had an affair with a married man?”
She jerks her head back and shoots me a scowl. “No!”
Really, how was I to know? In all fairness to me, Julie’s favorite line is “You just don’t know me anymore.”
“They were divorced.”
“And now they’re back together?”
She nods, resting her chin on her knees. “And for the record … as I’ve said before, even if you didn’t believe me … I never cheated on you. I didn’t leave you because I was having an affair. There was no one else. I didn’t leave you for another man, I left you for me.”
I nod. “I forgive you.”
“For leaving you?”
“No.” I narrow my eyes. “I don’t think leaving me requires an apology. I mean … we apologize for things we regret, right? I’ve never felt that you regret leaving me. But I have always felt your regret