Chapter 9 - LORRAINE’S SIXTY-SECOND BIRTHDAY
Heather invited me.
I declined.
Then Lorraine herself called.
“I would like you to come.”
Two years had passed.
I almost laughed.
“Why?”
“That is fair.”
She sounded different.
Still Lorraine.
But quieter.
“I owe you an apology.”
“You can give it over the phone.”
Silence.
Then:
“I treated the condo as proof you owed Evan obedience.”
Better than I expected.
“I treated your income as family money whenever it benefited us.”
Better.
“I laughed when he told you to leave.”
There.
“I am sorry.”
I sat quietly.
Lorraine continued.
“I also learned something after the divorce.”
“What?”
“Evan expected me to pay for my own birthday.”
I laughed.
She did too.
Unexpected.
“He said he was simplifying.”
“Smart man.”
“He sent me a budget.”
I nearly fell off the chair.
“How much?”
“Eight hundred dollars.”
“For how many people?”
“Twelve.”
“That’s workable.”
“I know.”
She sounded offended by the practicality.
Then:
“I understand more now.”
Not everything.
Enough.
I did not attend the birthday.
But I sent flowers.
Paid by me.
Because I chose to.
May you like
The distinction felt enormous.
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