Page 50 of Mr. Principal

“Well, it’s different for you. You’re getting out before things get complicated. You know, before you have kids.”

“Oh well, that part was a given. Tom doesn’t want any more kids.”

She sounded sad.

“You want kids one day?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I want a ton of kids.”

“What’s a ton?”

“Like five.”

I laughed hard. “Five? Wow.”

Becca smiled. “I grew up with a ton of younger siblings so I’d be so bored with just one. I want a bunch of kids so that none of them are lonely.”

“Becca, you really are a sweetheart.”

“I swear I’m not an evil stepmother.”

“Well, Tom is sure losing a jewel.”

She smiled at me. “That’s so nice of you to say.”

“I mean it. And I’m glad you’re going to stick around in Meredith’s life.”

“And I’m glad you found love with someone else,” she said as we pulled up to Piper’s house. And as we did, the subject of our most recent comment popped up.

Carter stepped out of his car and pulled out a few bags and then waved at me as best as he could.

“Hey there! I brought a few more things to eat. I figured you can’t have too much.”

He then walked up and kissed me on the cheek. Upon seeing Becca, he smiled at her. “Becca, right?”

She nodded. “You remembered.”

“Of course, I do. Meredith speaks of you very fondly.”

She practically glowed at his compliment.

“You’re definitely a keeper,” she said to Carter. “Definitely an upgrade from Tom,” she said before excusing herself and heading back into the house.

“Hmmm, what was that comment about?” Carte said looking confused. “Trouble in paradise?”

“She’s planning to leave Tom.”

His eyes widened. “Really? They haven’t even been married a year, right?”

“Apparently she’s a smart woman who knows her worth.”

“But still a shocker. Does Tom know yet?”

“Nope. She’s telling him tonight.”

“Yikes. This is your weekend with Meredith, right? So she won’t be there when Tom’s world implodes around him.”

“Yep it’s my weekend, but Tom is going to be pissed. Totally blindsided, I bet. So yeah, he’ll pretty much feel exactly like I did.”