Chapter 2

My lips were still trembling, no words out yet, when Raymond's accusation landed first.

"Shelagh! You don't have hands? You can't cook?"

"Trudy finally comes over to visit for once, and you drag her into the kitchen? Where does that leave me!"

He turned to Trudy, and everything in his voice went soft.

"The kitchen's full of grease and smoke. That's no place for you."

"Whatever you feel like eating, just tell Shelagh and she'll make it."

"Let me buy you a set of skincare later. If you keep yourself looking good, then a hundred years from now I'll have the face to see my brother again."

He slapped a menu down in front of me and gave his lazy instructions.

Like he was ordering a live-in maid.

"These are all Trudy and Damian's favorites."

"Remember to go heavy on the chili and green onion."

With that, he took Trudy's hand and walked off.

I stared at the menu, lost in it.

Eight years of marriage.

Raymond had never once remembered what I liked.

Never remembered I couldn't eat spicy food.

Never remembered that my daughter and I both hated green onion.

I tossed the menu in the trash.

I forced myself through the grease and smoke and threw together two simple dishes my daughter liked.

When the food hit the table, Raymond frowned at me.

"Where's the menu I gave you?"

"How is this little bit supposed to feed three people?"

My hand paused as I put food on my daughter's plate, but I didn't even lift my eyes to look at him.

"Things in the kitchen got moved around. I'm not used to it that way."

"It's just a few bottles and jars. Look a little harder and you'll find them."

"Besides, Trudy only comes over now and then. How messed up could it get? I think you're just being lazy on purpose."

I gave a small nod.

Not taking a single word of his to heart.

"Now and then, how many times is that?"

"Just that time you were away on business. She and Damian stayed here four days."

"Wasn't I only worried about them? A widow and her boy, all on their own, it's not safe."

"But we've only got two bedrooms. There wasn't room."

"How was there no room? Nelly slept on the couch, Damian and I took the guest room, Trudy took the master..."

The words weren't even out before Raymond flushed with anger.

"Why are you asking all these questions?"

"Just looking to pick a fight, trying to force me to break the vow I made my brother."

I let out a cold laugh.

I was away exactly four days, and Trudy was here all four.

That was "now and then"?

My daughter, seven years old, forced to sleep four nights on the couch!

So this was the man I'd loved for seven years.

I shot to my feet, picked up the food, and took my daughter back to our room.

Raymond's heart gave a sharp stab, and his hand went out on instinct to hold me back.

Trudy caught his arm.

"Raymond, is Shelagh upset?"

"It's all my fault, my rotten luck, my husband dying so young. Otherwise I wouldn't be such a burden on you..."

Her words hit him right where it counted, and the last of his guilt vanished without a trace.

Aching for them, he pulled Trudy and her son into his arms.

"Shelagh's probably still sore about the school-district house."

"Ignore her. We've been together this many years. She's not going to actually divorce me, is she?"

"What matters is Damian's already enrolled. She can fume all she wants, it won't change a thing. Give it a few days and she'll be right back to doing my laundry and cooking my meals like a good girl."

Trudy nestled against him, her face flushed red.

"Raymond, you're so good to me."

"It's late anyway. Let me take you out to eat."

"Give Shelagh some time to cool off. She'll understand how much thought you put into all this."

The instant the front door shut,

my phone buzzed. A message from my father.

"The paperwork's done. Nelly's residency records can be transferred back. In a week she can start school right by your grandparents' place."

"As for the house, don't you worry about that."

"All these years the loan payments came out of your account. Even if you divorce, you can get it back!"

I switched off my phone, my mind at ease.

Even if Raymond never came home all night, my heart didn't stir in the least.