Miles continues to be hesitant about my returning home, even after I assure him that Garnar’s outburst isn’t anything I haven’t already been used to hearing before.He insists on stepping out into the hallway first, checking both directions before then leading me outside. We walk together, close but
“It’s not their fault,” Garnar says.Good, I think. We might be able to work with this.“It’s your fault,” he finishes.Or not.“You can’t tell them that,” I say.“Why not? When it’s the truth.”“It’s not the truth, and even if it was, which again, it’s not, we shouldn’t try to have the girls take s
That night, I sit down with my daughters and once more try to explain about divorce.“Sometimes mommies and daddies just fall out of love with each other. It’s not your fault. Your dad and I both love you very much, and we are going to do our best to not make you sad, okay?”Violet cries again. Iris
“Oh,” Miles says. “That.”I have so many questions that I’m unsure where even to start. Why? How? My mind is a mess.Fortunately, Miles takes pity on me and starts talking without any prompting.“Thea and Garnar have cost you your normal life, Esther. I wasn’t going to let them take away your family
Three hours later, Miles has satisfied me in almost every way a man can satisfy a woman. All of my bones are liquid, I don’t think I could find the strength to move from my spot on this bed if a fire broke out right next to me.Miles, however, already seems ready for another round, his vitriol unmat
“Esther?”“I’m okay,” I say. “Better than okay.”Miles’s grin stretches wide. “Good. That’s what I was going for.”“I would have thought it would be obvious,” I tell him. I set aside the water and settle back down onto the blankets. He tosses aside the washcloth and joins me.“I’ve never given it so
Life continues on for a while as it ever does. Pressing forward whether you are ready for it or not.Garnar continues to whisper poison into my daughters’ ears. I try to correct it when I can, but I can see their growing distain in their day to day interactions with me.I try to do things with them,
“Who is that?” Violet asks.“Politician,” Iris replies.“That’s Representative Miles Hamilton,” I tell them. “He’s running for president.” I want to impress them so I say, “I can wave. Maybe he’ll come over and say hi.”“Yeah, right, Mom,” Iris says, rolling her eyes.Iris nudges Violet away and the