48

Elaine

It was a little past five when I left the house with Finn for some fun time at an amusement park nearby. Cora was flunked with work, and needed the space. I needed to clear my head off my wandering thoughts about Max. He still hadn't called, and I wasn't expecting that he'd listened to my voicemail as well. Right now, I was trying to see the bright side of things and spend time with my little man.

I'd also called up Jessy to narrate what had transpired between Max and I, as well as promise to have the dress she borrowed me washed, ironed and returned tomorrow. She was sympathetic, and offered to help talk to Max but I declined. I needed him to truly forgive and come for me this time, and not because he felt pressured to do so.

“Careful, sweetheart,” I called out to Finn as he raced around with little, gangly kids his age. The evening breeze soothed my skin and helped me process my thoughts more clearly. Plus, I felt a certain kind of peace I'd never experienced before, even tho