was sure to come, and she didn’t blame her. After all, she’d called the police to have her thrown out of the beach house. But the expected coolness didn’t appear.
“Hello, Angela.” Lorene had a convincing forced smile on her face as she spoke.
Like Cog, Lorene looked worn down and a little frayed on her perfectly manicured edges. It would seem that the heart attack had taken a toll on both of them. Angela’s heart went out. How she could feel bad for Lorene, she wasn’t sure—the woman was pure poison. But she did feel bad. Angela glanced at Brice who was watching it all. He was beaming, apparently pleased with the way things were going. Her mind raced. Was this an intervention of sorts? She knew one thing, if Brice’s motives were to win her back, he would have the support of his parents no matter what. He had been running that family since the day he was born. That’s why he had the beach house to lose to her. He had it because he had asked for it, and that’s all it took. His parents gingerly signed over the house to him. Angela could feel the cold links of the chains rubbing against her.
The young people had started a game she wasn’t familiar with, but it produced a lot of noise, laughter and running around, so Angela welcomed it. The last thing she wanted to do was visit with Brice’s mother, or Brice, she realized. And this time not because he was being cruel or obnoxious as in times past, but because he was being nice. She’d always thought that if Brice could maintain nice all the time, she’d willingly stay in the marriage. She knew for the first time that was no longer true.
None too soon, it was time for cake and presents which meant the party would be ending. Angela served the cake, like she always had. She wasn’t enjoying this anymore. The boys were involved with their friends as they should be, and Angela felt the all too familiar sensation of being out of place. At least now, that made sense. This was no longer her home.
“Brax, you ready for your present?” Brice said with a wide grin.
“I’m ready!” Braxton ran over to his father who was holding up a small black box with a big red bow. He grabbed the box and hurriedly opened it. “What?” he said, holding up a set of keys.
“They’re for your new BMW.”
“Are you flippin’ kidding me?” He danced around laughing. Braxton was clearly overwhelmed. “I can’t believe it!” He hugged his dad.
“Believe it, son. You’ve done well in school, it’s your birthday, and you’re a Baker.”
It felt like a slap in the face. She had been the enforcer of the boys taking responsibility for their cars, everyone knew that. She looked at the smug smile on Lorene’s face as she met her gaze. Angela was careful not to show any emotion. Cogburn was stoic. She guessed he wasn’t pleased, but he had no say. She realized he never did. Perhaps that was why she liked him so much because he was like her. She saw a weak shell of a man with an overbearing woman at his side. Like she was a shell of a woman with Brice.
Angela searched Brice. He was beseeching her with a big smile, proud as a peacock, waiting for her response of praise. He didn’t have a clue. This wasn’t a slam at her, he hadn’t thought about her at all. He had tunnel vision, whatever he thought or decided took precedence over anything and everyone. Narcissist! Angela finally understood. She understood that he was incapable of feeling or understanding another’s pain. All the pain and wrongdoing from him that she had endured and stashed in the deepest basement of her heart was rising. Rising, rising and welling as it moved from the depths of her soul to the tip of her tongue. Angela opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out, instead, something new and fresh swept in.
Another wind of freedom washed over her. It entered her mouth and swept down her throat. None of this was about her. It had never been about her. She finally understood. Knowledge really was power. Angela no longer feared, nor desired Brice. She felt only sadness and pity for him. She smiled sadly back at him.
“Where is it?” Brax asked, so excited. As much as she felt betrayed by Brice, she was happy for