it’s not because she doesn’t like you. She does … so much so. But … you need to know where her head is right now, and I fear she won’t be able to adequately articulate her thoughts. You see, her grandfather cheated on her grandmother many years ago. Not just cheated, he fell in love with another woman. My brother was three at the time—Roman’s age. I hadn’t even been conceived. My father left his new love to go back to his family. My mother took him back. Had she not taken him back, I wouldn’t be here, therefore Dorothy wouldn’t be here. She knows the story. It’s been retold to her many times.”
After careful thought, I return an easy nod and a tiny smile. What can I say? Maybe nothing. Maybe the right words don’t exist. “Thank you for telling me that.”
She smiles. “Thank you for loving my daughter.”
Outwardly, I keep a soft smile. Inside? It feels like a jagged piece of metal being shoved into my heart.
“Yell if you need anything. I’ll be going to bed soon, but I’m a light sleeper. And Dorothy should be home soon too.”
“Thank you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Fuck the Truth
Dorothy
Yes!
Barbecue jackfruit sandwich and apple pie leftovers in the fridge. It’s enough to keep me from taking a walk. With it getting darker earlier, I find it less appealing to take walks on the nights I get home close to nine from the hospital.
After throwing the leftovers on a plate, grabbing a fork, and a glass of water, I make my way to my game room.
“What the fuck?” I flip on the light to the room, seeing a figure in my chair.
“Hello to you too.” Eli pushes the button on the side of the chair, bringing it to an upright position. Then he shuts off the TV before I can register what he’s watching.
“What are you doing here?”
He grins. “I’m here to see you. Is that apple pie?”
I glance at my plate. “Yes.”
“I love apple pie.”
“So?”
Eli chuckles. “So get your ass over here and share some with me.”
“It’s only one piece.”
“Hence the word share.”
My nose wrinkles.
“I won’t go down on you until after we share the pie.” He winks.
I squeeze my legs together.
“I’m joking. Do I look sexually active yet?” He gestures to his cast.
“How’s Romeo?” I sit on the arm of the chair, with my plate on my lap.
“You mean The Flash? Because that’s who he is now that he has his Halloween costume early.” Eli brings up a photo of Romeo Flash on his phone.
“Oh my god, he’s so adorable.” I tap the prongs of the fork against my lower lip while grinning at the picture.
Eli sets his phone down on the other arm of the chair and exhales an audible breath. “Julie wants me back.”
Ugh. My appetite begins to wane. Not because I wasn’t expecting the conversation, I just thought he’d wait until I ate my sandwich and made him beg for pie. “She’s smart. Even if it took her unusually long to come up with the right answer.” I shrug. “All that matters is that she did.”
“The right answer?” he asks.
“Duh. You and Roman. Choosing your family. Of course it’s the right answer.”
“For whom?” Eli’s eyes narrow.
“For Roman. And maybe for you and maybe for her too, but definitely the right choice for Roman.”
“And what about Dorothy Mayhem?”
“What about me?” I take a bite of my sandwich.
“You said you thought you loved me too.”
“So?” I mumble over cold barbecue jackfruit.
“And Roman likes you. A lot.”
I swallow and nod. “True. But I’m not his mom. Dr. Hathaway is his mom. And she should get to see him every day. So should you. And now that she’s back in the game, it’s kind of a no-brainer.”
“What if I choose you?”
“Then you’re an idiot.”
“Why?”
I hate his line of questioning. It’s stupid and completely pointless. “Because you have the chance to be with Roman every single day. Nights too. All the weekends and holidays.”
“But I want you.”
I stand and slide the plate onto my entertainment console, making a loud clank. “You are a stupid fucking idiot!” I grab the back of my neck with both hands, digging my fingers into the muscles along my neck to ease the tension. “If I could choose Roman over you, I would in a heartbeat. Does that make you feel better? Does that ease your decision? He’s three, and smart, and funny, and he says all the cute things. And that smile …”