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“A dream?”
“Yes.”
“And when did you have this dream?”
“Last night.”
“So that’s why you came home today?”
“Yes.”
“What was the dream about?”
“You.”
“What about me?”
“You fell in love with someone and ended us.”
“Avery, there hasn’t been an ‘us’ since before Malcolm was born and you know it. We’ve been nothing more than roommates who hate each other most of the time, but I’m the roommate who’s been footing all the expenses. Financialandemotional expenses.”
“I know. It’s just that my dream was so real, and when I saw you with the other woman, and how happy you were, it did something to me. I woke up crying. I realized what a fool I’ve been for not being a good wife to you all these years.”
“What about for not being a good mother to Malcolm?”
“Well, that too.”
I took a deep breath and then downed my drink. “Our son has never been anything to you but a fucking afterthought. I’m going to bed, Avery,” I said, getting up from my chair.
“Zac, wait!”
I pointed at her and stared hard. “No! Don’t say another word to me tonight. Swim, drink some more, do whatever you want. I don’t care. Just leave me the hell alone.”
Avery nodded and then I went back into the house, going straight to my bedroom and closing the door behind me. I locked it, walked over and collapsed on my bed, then pulled my cellphone out of my shorts pocket to see if Stevie had texted me back.
Stevie: Hey, you! I was outside doing yard work when you texted me and didn’t have my cellphone on me. I thought I did. Sorry. And FYI, I’ve been thinking about you too. Is everything okay?
Me: Sorry I’m just now replying to your text. We keep missing each other. I just came back into my house from being outside in the backyard with Avery and no, everything isn’t okay.
Stevie: What happened?
Me: Avery told me that she wants to work out things with me but I know it’s a lie. She wants something from me and it’s probably nothing more than for me to continue financing her fucked up lifestyle.
That little bubble with the three dots in it popped up but then it went away. I waited a little longer to see if Stevie was going to reply but she didn’t.
Me: May I call you?
Stevie: Yes.
“What if Avery really does want to work out things with you, Zac?” Stevie asked. That was how she answered her phone.
“I’m telling you that it’s a lie and even if she wasn’t lying to me, I would never reconcile with her. I don’t love her and haven’t in years and I damn sure don’t trust her. You know I’m with Avery only because of Malcolm. We are married on paper and that is it.”
Stevie sighed. “I just needed to hear you say that again.
“But do you believe it?”
“Yes. It’s just so hard knowing you’re there with her. I want you here with me.”
