Chapter 34
I demolish another glass of wine, then I take my third outside with a plate full of hors d’oeuvres and sandwiches.
I know most of the other parents here, but everyone is awkwardly avoiding me, so I hole myself up in a corner of the yard next to a table of juice boxes and water bottles.
It’s the optimal location so that I don’t have to talk to anyone, and I can put my plate on it while I drink my wine.
Honestly, it’s like I’m not even at the party.
The only thing left is to sing “Happy Birthday” to Teddy, which is the only thing I am looking forward to.
For his last five birthdays, I have always been the one to sing “Happy Birthday” to him.
I always tell him to squeeze his eyes shut really tight as he’s making his wish, and his face is so cute all scrunched up.
It would have killed me to miss it this year, so all the torture of being here is worth it for that.
Just as I am finishing the last of my third glass of wine and debating if I’ll still be safe to drive if I have a fourth (better not), Jeremy storms out of the house, looking as angry as I’ve ever seen him.
He makes a beeline for where I am standing with my empty wineglass and plate of untouched sandwiches, with Veronica following not far behind.
“Naomi!” Jeremy snaps at me, loud enough that several people turn their heads. “What the hell did you do to Veronica’s present?”
I look at him blankly. “What?”
His face is even more red than Cora’s—practically purple. “There was a present in the den that Ronnie was going to give to Teddy, and somebody opened it and destroyed it.”
“How do you destroy a stuffed animal?”
“It was a robot car,” Jeremy spits out. “And it was smashed to bits. But you already know that, don’t you?”
“Um, I’ve been standing here the whole time.”
“You’re lying,” he hisses at me. “You went into the house. I saw you go into the house. How else could you have gotten food?”
“Fine. I went into the kitchen, got this food, and then I came right back out. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“You’re unbelievable!” Jeremy throws up his arms. “I really can’t believe you. I thought you could control yourself for one day, on your son’s birthday, but obviously not. And now look how upset Ronnie is!”
We both turn our attention to Veronica, whose eyes are filled with very real-appearing tears. But then the second Jeremy turns away, looking back at me, a tiny smile spreads across her lips.
That woman is pure evil. Why can’t Jeremy see it?
“I want you to leave,” he says to me.
“What?” I cry. “You mean now?”
“Yes. Now.”
“But…you’re about to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ and cut the cake.”
“I don’t give a shit.” Jeremy’s face is contorted in anger. He’s never been violent before, but for a moment, I’m afraid he might hit me. “This is my property, and I want you to leave right now.”
We have attracted the attention of more than a few people with our argument.
The scene we avoided earlier is now happening—everyone is staring at us.
And maybe it’s the three glasses of wine that I drank with not nearly enough food, but that only makes me more reluctant to slink out of here with my tail between my legs.
And do what? Sit in my car twiddling my thumbs while the party continues on for another hour or two?
Even one o’clock was a ridiculous estimate.
Teddy has come over as well to see what the commotion is all about. He looks like he’s not sure what to say when he sees his parents facing off. For once, he is speechless.
“I’m not leaving,” I say. “This is my son’s birthday party, and I would like to be here. I have a right to be here.”
Veronica doesn’t defend me this time. She’s too busy crying her fake tears. Why can’t Jeremy see through this? She’s not that good of an actress.
“Fine.” Jeremy whips his phone out of his pocket. “I’m calling the police.”
“Fine,” I say.
Honestly, I thought it was a bluff, but then he actually pushes 911 on his phone, and then he’s talking to somebody who very much sounds like the police.
I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe he actually called the police on me at our son’s birthday party, right in front of him.
He accused me of being selfish, but I can’t imagine anything more selfish than that.
I’m beginning to wonder if Ezra was right about everything. He keeps saying that Jeremy is not worth trying to save from Veronica, and I keep defending him. But now I’m wondering if maybe they deserve each other.
“The police are on their way,” Jeremy announces. “So this might be a good time for you to leave before they catch you trespassing.”
“Trespassing!” I burst out. “This is my house too! We’re still married, in case you forgot.”
“How can I forget when you’re always wearing your wedding ring?”
I ball my left hand into a fist. Yes, I did put the ring back on after I told Ezra I would stop wearing it.
But it has nothing to do with Jeremy. Morganite is a rare crystal that helps with self-reflection and brings out strength.
This ring is important to me for reasons that have nothing to do with Jeremy.
But I have a feeling he wouldn’t understand that.
“I want to stay for the song and cake,” I say stubbornly. “I don’t think it’s too much to ask. And Teddy wants me to stay too. Don’t you, Teddy?”
I look over at my son, who is clutching a juice box in his right hand, frozen in place. He is silent, his lower lip trembling.
“Please just leave, Naomi,” Jeremy says in an exasperated voice.
And the thing is I probably would have left. Yes, I wanted to be there for the song and the birthday cake, but I also didn’t want to make my son cry at his own birthday party. (Even though it was actually Jeremy’s fault.)
But it’s at that moment that I hear the sirens and things go completely downhill.