Chapter 4

Wallace could see how I was frozen out, pushed around in that house, and it hurt him and made him angry.

He wanted to say something on my behalf, but a look from me stopped him.

We finished our meal before they did.

We left the restaurant and walked along the street together.

I told him about all the years of it, the hardship and the bitterness I'd swallowed.

He held my hand tightly, aching for me, and promised that from now on he would take good care of me.

I smiled a little and nodded.

After reporting my pension card lost, I went home to pack.

A message came in from Tyler:

"Mom, you're not to have anything more to do with that old man. Virginia won't like it."

"My in-laws want to go away for a couple of days, and it's a hassle to bring the kids."

"You've got nothing to do at home, so we're leaving all five kids with you for a few days."

"We've dropped them at the neighbor's next to Virginia's parents. We already told them, so you can just go pick them up."

"Oh, and there's one more thing I need to tell you."

"Virginia's two nephews are starting elementary school here after the new year, so they'll be living with us from now on."

"Get the room cleaned out right away, and buy some things for the two boys."

"Virginia says you blocked her number. Unblock her, now. It took me forever to smooth things over."

"Mom, can't you be the bigger person? Don't put me in the middle like this."

A cold smile crossed my face, and I sent him one last message:

"Without me in this house, you won't be in the middle of anything!"

"I'm not your nanny. Your problems are no longer mine to fix!"

I wheeled my suitcase toward the door. My things in that house were few. One case was enough.

Wallace drove over to pick me up.

I left without hesitation, and I didn't look back at that house once.

The next day, Wallace and I got our marriage license.

We bought plane tickets and set off on our honeymoon.

Just as we were about to board, Tyler called.

His voice was frantic, burning:

"Mom, what's going on? The neighbor called Virginia's mother."

"Said you still haven't come to get the kids. What are you playing at here?"

Before I could get a word out, Virginia snatched the phone from Tyler.

"You did this on purpose, didn't you!"

She came at me, furious. "Trying to back me into a corner, is that it?"

I let out a cold laugh, my voice full of contempt:

"Yes, I left the kids there on purpose. I'm not your nanny!"

"And don't turn it around and accuse me of cornering you. From now on, you won't get the chance."

The airport PA announced a flight overhead.

Virginia demanded, thrown off and rattled, "What do you mean? Where are you? Why can I hear an airport?"

There was real satisfaction in my voice now:

"I got married, and I'm leaving for my honeymoon! You spent every holiday without me, and from now on you won't have this nanny waiting on you either!"