Chapter 4

4: 4

Back home, I started packing.

Rolf earned more, so most of what filled the house had been bought by him.

I dug through everything for the better part of the day, and what actually belonged to me barely filled a single suitcase.

Late that night, a message came in from Dawn, with a video attached.

In the video, Dawn had her arm looped through Rolf's, her eyes crinkled with laughter.

A middle-aged man came toward them holding a glass, and his voice carried through clearly.

"Manager Simmons standing next to Dawn here, now that's a match made in heaven!"

Laughter and agreement broke out around them.

Rolf didn't deny it. He just lifted his glass and smiled.

【You saw it yourself. Everyone thinks we're the couple.】

【To all of them, you're just a crazy woman. If you know what's good for you, step aside on your own. Don't make it ugly for everybody.】

I didn't reply. I just moved Dawn's number into the block list and went back to packing, head down.

The next day I went to finish the paperwork for the teaching program.

Since I wasn't a certified teacher on staff, I could only go as a community volunteer.

Myra was a little surprised, but she didn't ask anything. She helped me get every step of the process done.

Myra's daughter worried about the two of us and even bought a load of household supplies, mailing them ahead to the school.

When I went home for my luggage, I saw Dawn tied into my apron, busy in the kitchen.

Rolf was setting out chopsticks at the dining table, and Basil was carrying a bowl of soup out of the kitchen, calling, "Careful, it's hot."

Four dishes and a soup sat steaming on the table.

Dawn saw me come in, froze for a second, then hurried over with a smile.

"You're back? Perfect timing. I just made chicken soup. Come try some."

I didn't look at her. I walked straight toward the bedroom.

"Selma?"

Dawn followed and reached out to block my way.

"Are you still angry with me? I know I've been in the way these past few days, and I feel awful about it. I made the soup to make it up to you. Just have a little, please."

As she spoke, she turned and went to the kitchen, then came back with a bowl of chicken soup and held it out to me.

I raised my hand and pushed it aside.

"No thank you."

"Come on, do me this one favor…"

Before she could finish, her fingers went slack and she dropped the whole bowl of soup on the floor.

Before I could say anything, she was clutching her right hand and letting out a scream.

"Ah! It burns!"

Rolf and Basil rushed over almost at the same moment.

The back of her hand had a red patch on it. She cradled it, tears spilling over as she looked at me, her voice thick with crying.

"Selma, I know you don't like me, but you can't just scald me on purpose…"

"My hand's burned. How am I supposed to go to work tomorrow…"

At that, Rolf's face changed in an instant.

"Selma Farley, have you lost your mind?"

I frowned and pushed back.

"I didn't."

"Do you think I'm blind?"

Rolf roared.

"Dawn's hand is scalded like that and you're telling me you didn't?"

Basil stood off to the side, and the way he looked at me was a look I didn't know.

"Mom, how did you turn into this? You're vicious!"

The next second, Rolf's palm landed across my face.

After he hit me he went blank for a moment, as if he hadn't expected he'd actually raise a hand.

He opened his mouth to say something, but Dawn's crying quickly pulled his attention back. He turned his head, and his voice went gentle, like a different man.

"Come on, I'll take you to the hospital."

Basil trailed behind them. Just before going out the door, he looked back at me, his eyes full of disappointment.

The door closed.

The apartment went quiet.

I stood alone in the living room and looked at this home I'd spent decades working to keep, and it was riddled with holes anyway.

I thought, I'll never come back again.

The divorce papers I'd prepared long ago were sitting on the table beside the chicken soup, where they'd see them the moment they got back.

Myra called to ask if I was ready. She'd come pick me up for the airport soon.

"I'm ready," I said.

I was ready to go teach in the mountains with Myra.

And ready to leave this home that was never mine, for good.