Page 90 of Wag More Bark Less

“Jesus, Maggie. Can’t you just accept the apology?”

I yanked the phone from my ear, set on ending the call.

But in the nick of time, Jason added, “Sorry. I’m just on edge today. Mom’s still on the warpath, and if she knew I was calling to check on you, she’d probably have my head. I hope you appreciate the risk I’m taking for you.”

I gripped the phone so hard I thought I might crush it. I wanted to throw it. I wanted to scream. Instead, I switched it to speaker and set it on the coffee table. After a deep, centering breath, I said, “You were always going to pick her over me, weren’t you?”

“She’s my mom.”

“I was supposed to be your wife.” Hot tears streamed down my cheeks as the last pieces of the life I knew shattered into dust. It took all my effort to keep my voice even. I’d be damned if I allowed this man to know how much this still affected me. “Did that not mean anything to you?”

“Don’t do this, Maggie. I didn’t call to dredge up the past.”

“Then why did you call?”

“Because I still care about you. Just because this didn’t work out doesn’t mean I’ll ever stop caring about you or wanting the best for you.”

I wanted to call him a liar, but only because it would be so much easier if Jason was some cartoon villain from my past rather than a semi-decent man who simply couldn’t love me enough to keep me. The truth was so much more devastating.

“I should go,” Jason said after several stretched moments of silence where I fought to cry quietly.

“Goodbye, Jason.”

“Take care, Maggie.”

I watched the phone screen as the call ended, gripping the couch cushion with both hands. My eyes burned from the tears that wouldn’t stop falling. I was infuriated that Jason ruined what would have otherwise been just another day with his stupid compassion. It was one of the qualities that made me fall in love with him in the beginning. Ironic how that same quality was the one to break me now.

Reaching for a throw pillow, I pressed my face into it and let out the scream I held in during the call.

But it wasn’t enough.

I had to do something bigger.

Wiping at my soaked cheeks with the backs of my hands, I pushed up from the couch and marched into the guest room. It was a good thing I hadn’t gotten around to replacing the broken closet knob, because I would’ve yanked it off a second time.

I grabbed the tattered dress, thanking my sister for her brilliant suggestion: I was going to burn it.

THIRTY-TWO

ELLIE

This is the best day ever!

Sniff, sniff, sniff.

Ah, fresh air.

All those smells.

The best smells.

“You enjoying yourself, Ellie Belly?”

Wag, wag, wag.

This is the best car ride ever!

Thanks, Forever Dad.