Page 38 of Buttons

Ex-wife.Elowen and I aren’t done.

For the fifth time in an hour, I reach for my phone and press Elowen’s contact. It rings once, twice, then goes straight to voicemail. “This is Elowen. Leave a message.” No hint of the warmth that once colored her words when she spoke to me. No “Plaza residence” or “Julian’s office.” Just Elowen.

I hang up without leaving another message. Truth is, I don’t know what to explain. I brought Carmella to make a point; I took her to show Elowen that I wasn’t affected by her leaving. That Julian Plaza doesn’t fall apart when things don’t go according to plan. That, seeing Carmella in her place, she would regret leaving me and come running back.

But the truth is, I am falling apart.

My phone buzzes with a text notification. My heart embarrassingly leaps until I see it’s not from Elowen, but about her. It’s another local news story. “PLAZA’S EX SPOTTED AT LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER SEEKING COMFORT FROM FURRY FRIENDS.”

I try Elowen’s number again. Straight to voicemail. Not even a full ring this time. She’s actively declining my calls now.

My phone buzzes again. This time, it’s a text from Elowen.

Please communicate only about the children.

I type responses, only to delete them. Nothing sounds right. Any response I give might be the only one she reads.

Deciding to stay simple, I type,We need to talk.

It’s the truth.

Waiting several minutes, I can only stare at my phone. The message shows as “Read” but no response comes. Eventually, I drop the phone onto my desk and push back my chair. The lack of control is killing me.

Virginia knocks timidly on my door. “Mr. Plaza? Your eleven-thirty is waiting. Should I reschedule again?”

Shoot, how many meetings have I postponed this week?

“No,” I say, straightening my tie. “Send them in.”

She hesitates, eyeing the newspapers sprawled across my desk, my day-old shirt, the cold coffee.

“And bring fresh coffee, please.”

“Of course, Mr. Plaza.” She retreats, closing the door softly behind her.

I gather the newspapers into a stack and shove them into my desk drawer.

Smile, Julian. Nod, Julian. Pretend everything’s fine, Julian.

For the first time, I don’t know how to fix it.

The meeting went surprisingly well, thanks to my general ability to compartmentalize. However, it’s getting harder to do so.

I am barely back at my desk when Carmella enters without knocking, completely bypassing Virginia. She’s carrying a tray with two coffees and a leather portfolio tucked under her arm. I’ve already had coffee today, and don’t need more.

“Julian, darling.” Carmella’s voice sounds forced. “You look terrible.”

I don’t stand to greet her, but I do check my tie. It’s straight, so she can just fuck right off. “I didn’t know we had a meeting scheduled.”

I’m officially cranky, and after blowing up my life trying to grab my wife’s attention, the woman that started the whole thing is the last person I want to see.

“We don’t.” She sets the coffee tray on my desk, nudging aside papers without looking at them. “But after the gala’s coverage, I thought we should discuss next steps.”

I need more friends. If only Trey hadn’t gone back home. Maybe I can talk strategy with him about getting Elowen back. Either way, I am not about to do so with Carmella.

“Black, two sugars,” she says, placing a coffee in front of me. It’s exactly how I take it.

“Thanks, that’ll be all,” I say, trying to get her to leave.