2. Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Jemima
Three months later
When I open the front door, my mom walks in, full of floral perfume and sunshine. She pulls me into a warm hug, her arms wrapping around me tightly. "There's my girl," she says, her voice soft and full of love. "You look beautiful, as always."
She’s wearing a flowing, multi-colored kaftan that shimmers in the light, white oversized sunglasses on top of her head, and gold bangles that jingle with every movement. Her hair’s styled in loose waves, and she’s grinning like she’s won the lottery.
“Guess who’s finally taking life by the reins!” she announces as her eyes sparkle with excitement.
“Mom?” I blink at her, trying to make sense of what she’s saying.
She drops her purse on the counter, then spins around like she’s on a stage. “Me, darling! I’m talking about me. Your dad has been gone for a while, and I’ve decided I’m going to sell the house. I can’t sit around waiting for life to happen. Nope! Your dad and I always talked about going on a cruise to Alaska, so I booked one. I leave in four weeks!” She beams.
My smile freezes on my face as my heart sinks into my stomach. Of course I’m happy for her, but it’s like the universe decided to pile on just one more thing. “That’s… great, Mom. I’m happy for you.”
“I knew you’d understand,” she says, oblivious to the strain in my voice. She’s already pulling something from her bag. A small silver key, which she places on the counter in front of me. “But before I head off, I’ve got something for you.”
I stare at the key like it’s a puzzle I’m supposed to solve. “What’s this?” I ask slowly, glancing up at her.
“It’s for the office, silly. Recaredo Events is yours now.” She’s smiling like she’s handing me the world’s best gift. “I’ve had people sniffing around, wanting to buy it, but I thought, 'Why sell it to a stranger when my brilliant daughter’s right here?' You’ve always had a better head for business than I do.”
Mom helped with setting up events, but otherwise, it was my dad’s company. Mom and dad had been together since they were twenty-one. Forty-two years with the same man, and then suddenly he passed away a year ago from a heart attack. It’s the first time she’s been on her own. I can imagine she wants to be busy all the time and not be surrounded by reminders of Dad every day. I know that feeling well as I stand in the kitchen I once shared with my ex-husband. The night of his arrest replays in my mind daily. The only reason I haven’t left this apartment is to keep Chad's life as normal as possible, which includes our lovely landlords, Jade and Pedro, who help me with Chad. The judge decided to deny Butch bail, which is a relief because I couldn't afford to bail him out anyway.
My stomach twists at the reminder that I was recently laid off from my in-store job at Macy’s due to restructuring. I’ve been applying for other jobs but haven’t had any call backs yet. I’ve been desperate for something. Anything. Butch didn’t just leave a broken little boy; it turns out, he also left me a mountain of credit card debt and no savings, too.
Late notices are coming in thick and fast. I’ve been calling around and asking for a grace period until I’m back on my feet. I’ve managed to get more time, but I’m angry that he hid it all from me. What kind of marriage is that? One that’s been growing apart…
“Mom, I don’t—”
“Listen,” she cuts me off, eyes bright with that carefree energy that’s so very her. “I’m not a businesswoman. Never was. Your father was the brains. I was the heart, the one who set up the parties, decorated with balloons and flowers, and made sure the playlists were fun. People loved me, but I’m not going to pretend I’m cut out for spreadsheets and payroll. And since your dad’s been gone…well, it’s been a mess. I’ve let some of the staff go. The business is just… It’s not what it was. But you? You’ve got a mind for this stuff. I’ve seen it.” She taps her temple like she’s had some grand idea.
I haven’t set foot in the office since I met Butch.
I’m still staring at the key, my fingers itching to pick it up, but my brain’s screaming at me not to. “Mom, this is a lot. I—I’ve never run a business.”
“So? Nobody’s born knowing how to run a business. You’ll learn. You’re smart, Jemima. Smarter than I ever was when it comes to this stuff. Your dad always said so, didn’t he?” Her eyes soften, and for a second, she’s not the larger-than-life social butterfly in neon colors, she’s just my mom, missing her husband.
Her confidence in me makes my throat tighten. “Mom, I—”
“Look, darling.” She places her hands on my shoulders, eyes locked on mine. “I’m not saying you have to do it. But it’s a chance. If you don’t want it, I’ll sell the business. But I’d rather see you make something of it. I know you can. I’ve seen you fight through so much already.”
Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back. I’m not going to cry. Not now. “Okay,” I say softly, my voice sounding more sure than I feel. “I’ll give it a shot.”
“That’s my girl!” she says, and then she’s back to grinning, arms thrown wide. As she hugs me tightly, her bangles clink against my back. “You’re going to do great things, I just know it.”
Her eyes twinkle with excitement as she pulls back. “Now, where's my grandson?”
“In the living room,” I answer.
Mom heads off. I watch her go, and warmth spreads through me. I hear Chad giggle as she must’ve scooped him up into her arms.
I pick up the key, my thumb tracing its cool, smooth surface. It’s small but full of so much potential. My chest tightens with something between fear and hope. I’m not ready for this. But I can’t keep crying myself to sleep every night hoping things will change. I have to be the one to change them.
“Mom,” Chad calls, his voice piercing the early morning silence.
My eyes snap open, adrenaline spiking as I rise from the sofa. My feet shuffle across the creaking wooden floors as I head toward his room. As I rub the sleep from my eyes, the wall clock glares back at me. It’s only five a.m.
“Hey, honey,” I murmur, lifting his blankets and sitting beside him. “Shh, go back to sleep.” He comes closer, his small arm wrapping around my stomach, seeking comfort. I gently stroke his messy brown hair, in a soothing rhythm, and watch as he drifts back to sleep. I close my eyes and lean back against the headboard. It’s not as uncomfortable as the lumpy sofa, but I can’t seem to bring myself to sleep in the bed I shared with Butch; his betrayal hurts too much. Closing my eyes, I attempt to grab a few more hours of sleep before the day pulls me back into reality.
I’m unable to fall back asleep, so I quietly slip out and watch his little body curl up peacefully for a moment. With a soft smile, I move to the bathroom to take a shower. The persistent drip from the leaky faucet reminds me of yet another repair in my future. I can’t ask my landlords to fix it because I still owe them rent. The two-bedroom apartment in Melrose is falling apart, but it’s all I can afford. I push aside my worries, taking a quick, warm shower before heading to the kitchen to make some coffee.
Sitting on the sofa, I sip my warm coffee, cherishing the rare silence. Nights here are disrupted by my next-door neighbor, who brings home a new woman every night.
As the quiet surrounds me, memories of the last few months flood my mind. The police, drained bank accounts, credit card debt, etcetera…
Just as the image of my ex in this apartment flashes before me, Chad shuffles out of his bedroom, rubbing his sleepy eyes. I lower my coffee cup and open my arms, ready for our morning hug, the start of our new routine. I’m dressed in black pants, a black top with lace trim, and a black jacket. I prepare his breakfast and our lunches, tidy up, and choose his outfit for the day.
As he finishes breakfast, I add a touch of mascara, and some blush to my cheeks and lipstick before telling Chad to get ready, so we can head out.
In the lobby, Jade and Pedro, the apartment owners, who are both in their late sixties, warmly greet us. I smile and they wave me over.
“Morning.” The lump in my throat grows, remembering the amount of money I owe these lovely people. Not me… My ex. I thought he was paying the rent, but it seems all our money, including our savings, was used for his secret addictions. I expect them to ask me for the money but instead, they surprise me.
“We can take Chad to school, if you’d like?” Jade offers with a warm smile. “It’s your first day at the new job.”
I shake my head. “It is, but I don’t want to bother you.”
One thing I was never prepared for was how hard it was going to be as a single parent. I literally have to do everything. I don’t get hobbies or time for myself because, one, I don’t have money, but two, I have Chad all on my own. Butch wasn’t a great father, but I could at least leave Chad to head to the shops, clean the house, or get my hair colored.
“Nonsense. We love it.” Jade smiles.
Chad is smiling beside me, unfazed by our conversation.
“It’s on our way,” Pedro insists.
I contemplate the offer because it means I won’t be late meeting Mom. “If you don’t mind.”
Jade touches Chad's shoulder. “We’ll look after you. Kiss Mom goodbye so she can go to work.”
I squat and give Chad a big cuddle and kiss. He scrunches his face up as if he’s embarrassed about getting a kiss from me. Rising again, an older guy with black and grey hair approaches.
Jade's face beams as she rushes out, “Oh, Jemima, this is my son Haiden.”
The one they—including Chad—keep mentioning to me. Haiden’s expression tightens, his eyes briefly flicking to me before settling somewhere into the distance. He barely nods, lips pressed into a thin line. Disinterest radiates off him, and I’m relieved. I’m glad he isn’t interested in me either, because I couldn’t think of anything worse than trusting another man again.
At first, I was reluctant to have Haiden around Chad, but Jade assured me she’d always be there, and that it was just for basketball since it’s too much for Pedro at his age. “Could we play some basketball?” Chad asks, shoving his ball toward Haiden.
Haiden shuffles in his black work shoes and crisp gray suit. “I can’t today. I’ve got work, and you have to go to school.”
Moments like these fill me with anger. I wonder if Butch ever thought of us while he was doing God knows what, selling drugs to strangers and putting his family at risk. I doubt we ever crossed his mind. I doubt he thought about his wife and child having to watch him be taken away by the police. Our bank accounts drained. Now I’m left alone, stuck in this apartment with nothing but painful memories keeping me up all night.
I swallow the nasty words I want to call Chad’s asshole father and focus on the good times. There was a point when I loved him, and he was a good father. I just wish I knew why and when he picked up his drug habit. However, I’m not willing to waste my time looking for those answers either. He chose drugs, and I chose my family.
“I’ll play with you.” Pedro winks at him.
Chad punches the air. “Yesss.”
“Okay, I better get to work, and you need to go to school.”
Haiden is talking to his dad, and I spot a piece of paper between them. I can’t help but wonder if it has anything to do with the plans to sell the apartment complex in the next few months. Jade has been hinting at it lately.
This reminds me that I need to get to work, where I can focus on saving my parents’ business so I can afford a new place.
On the subway to Lexington Ave, I pull out my notepad and make a to-do list. I have zero experience in events, and even less running a business. Now, here I am, wrapping my head around my new business, or what I like to call my life raft. I exit the subway to a building in Carnegie, walking the steps dreaming of a new life for me and Chad.
“Mom,” I say, hugging her.
She pulls back but keeps a firm grip on my arms, her gaze on me, searching my face. “You ready, darling?”
“More than ever.”