Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
VIOLET
I’ve been working non-stop all weekend trying to get all my orders done.
I keep falling behind because of the stupid people I used to call my friend and husband.
Now it’s Sunday, and I’ve been scrambling from morning until night all weekend.
Ezra has been busy both days moving his stuff into a storage unit and bringing what he needs over here.
I feel bad that I haven’t had time to help him.
He goes to work all day and then he goes straight to his townhouse, moving out his stuff.
To make matters worse, his landlord won’t let him break his lease without losing his deposit. He says there is no amount of money that will keep him there.
I don’t blame him.
I look over my list of orders and read over what’s next to bake. While I clear some space on the counter, I hear the front door open and shuffling echoes through. No doubt it’s Ezra.
“Right here.” A man’s voice that I can’t quite place has my head springing up and looking behind me. I hear a thump on the floor.
Ezra’s parents come around the corner. I spot his dad’s green eyes and then look over to his mom. The softness in her eyes and smile outshines everyone. Ezra has a mixture of both his mom and dad. His eyes from his dad and the softness of his features from his mom.
“Hi, Sean and Annie,” I say as I walk over to the sink and quickly wash my hands. “I wasn’t expecting you two. It’s so good to see you.”
“Yeah, I thought we would stop by and say hi. We’ve been helping Ez move all day,” Sean says as I reach in for a hug.
Then I lean toward his mom, and she pulls me into a gentle hug. Her small, delicate frame feels light in my arms. When she lets go, she cups my cheek with her soft palm, her eyes full of warmth. “How are you doing, sweetie?”
“I’m okay,” I manage to say.
“That husband of yours sure fucked this one up.”
“Sean,” Annie says, pivoting towards him with a scowl on her face.
“Dad,” Ez says as he rounds the corner and walks towards us.
My eyes widen at his remark. Not because I’m surprised he’s saying that, but because it’s true.
And hearing it aloud draws something deep inside of me.
Even when I’m hard on myself and falling into self-doubt, wondering what I could have done differently, or why I wasn’t enough for him.
There’s a quiet voice inside that knows better.
I was a good wife. I gave him my love. I always stood by his side.
Sometimes the hurt and betrayal get so loud, it drowns out the truth.
It’s hard to keep it on the surface of my mind when the weight of everything that went wrong keeps pulling me under.
But hearing those words keeps my heart from constricting in pain.
“I’m sorry,” Ez mouths.
I slightly shake my head, letting him know it’s okay.
“At least you two have each other,” Sean says.
I look back over at Ez, and we both smile at each other.
He’s right. At least I have Ezra. He’s been here for me in the middle of all my chaos, even with his own going on.
He’s the reason I’ve kept it together. The one who held me when I needed it, and reminded me of my worth when I couldn’t see it myself.
There’s comfort in knowing he didn’t have to be there for me, but he chose to be.
I don’t know where I would be without him—lost and constantly overthinking, and crying my eyes out night after night.
His presence grounds me in a way I haven’t had in a while.
“We should let her get back to work,” Ezra says.
A small frown forms. “You all can stay. I need to take a break, anyway,” I say and pull out a couple of chairs from the table, motioning for them to sit.
“Are you sure?” Annie questions
I wave them over. “Yes. Of course.” I walk back over to the kitchen, grab a plate and place chocolate chip cookies on it. “Do you three want some chocolate chip cookies?”
“You don’t need to give them your orders,” Ezra says, still standing with his arms crossed over.
“I’m not. These are extras. I usually always make extra for Za—” I cut myself off and smile to avoid what I was going to say. I place the plate of cookies on the table. “Do you want anything to drink?” I head back into the kitchen and open the fridge.
“Mmm. A glass of milk would go great with these,” Sean says with his mouth half full. “Oh my god, Violet. These are delicious.”
My face lights up with a wide smile. “Thank you.”
I set down four glasses of milk and sit in front of Ezra’s parents. It’s been a while since I’ve actually sat down and enjoyed my own baked goods.
“Son, you better keep her around. Because these are good,” he says, licking the chocolate off his finger.
All three of us laugh while Ez shakes his head. “Dad.”
Sean shrugs his shoulders. “I’m just saying.” He pauses for a moment. “Can I have another?”
I scoot the plate closer to him. “Of course.”
Annie looks up at me, swallowing her bite. “You’ll have to come over and have dinner with us sometime. We would love to have you.”
“I would love that,” I say, looking between the both of them, then over to Ezra, who has a small smile on his face staring at all three of us.
I expected them to ask me questions, but just like Ezra, they don’t push.
His parents have always been good people.
I remember all the times growing up that his mom would feed us during the summer months while our parents were working.
She was a stay at home mom and let all the neighbor kids go over to their house during the summer.
Ezra’s house was the place to be. And Annie.
Poor Annie. When I look back at it now, she not only kept an eye on us all summer long, and she not only fed me—she fed everyone.
I know my parents gave them money, but I’m not sure about the other kids’ parents. She would never turn down a hungry kid.
Thinking about my parents, I realize I haven’t talked to them or told them what has been going on. They were able to retire early, and they’ve been traveling the world. I should probably check in with them.
“Well, we should let you get back to work,” Annie’s soft voice says.
All four of us get up from our seats. Sean reaches over and grabs another cookie.
“For the road,” he says.
“Honey, that’s three cookies in under ten minutes,” Annie replies.
He shrugs his shoulders. “Don’t blame me. It’s Violet’s fault they’re so good.”
I chuckle at his remark. “I’m glad you like them.”
After we say our goodbyes, I get back into the kitchen and continue baking. My heart feels lighter after that quick visit. I’ve missed his parents and forgotten how cute and loving they are, not only with each other but to others. I’ll for sure have to take up their offer to have dinner with them.