22. Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Two
Kat
Almost immediately after the abandonment by my toddler shield, I was also abandoned by his uncle. Now granted, it’s not fair to blame Henry for going to the bathroom. But…
I did.
Becca was knee-deep in hostile negotiations with several wailing children, and I was left to face their parents alone. Well, I wasn’t alone if I counted Andrew.
But I didn’t.
If anything, he counted against me. Certainly not on my side. I picked at my chicken for something to do. I knew I hadn’t eaten much of it, but having eaten any was a win. At least I’d managed to pay for the chicken I wasn’t eating. I’d deny it to my last dying breath, though. I’d blame Becca.
I heard something muttered across the table. I ignored it, since it clearly wasn’t aimed at me. But then it was repeated, louder, and I realized it was, in fact, aimed at me.
“I think now would be a wonderful time for you to leave, dear,” came a frosty voice from Henry’s mom. I looked up. ‘Dear’, huh? I barely kept from laughing.
“I wouldn’t want to be rude,” I said in a quiet voice. I didn’t even emphasize the word rude in a way that let them know THEY were the ones being rude. I wasn’t sure it counted as rude if it was true, anyway.
“What’s rude, dear, is barging in where you’re not welcome,” she said back in a tone that brought no attention to our conversation. I felt Andrew watching us like a hawk. He was probably waiting his turn. Too bad for him, there was a line, it seemed.
“I understand I’m not welcome. I will leave as soon as I can without upsetting Henry.
I did not know that all of you would be here, when Becca invited me,” I said calmly, trying not to cry.
I could feel my chest and face turning red, though.
I saw the dirty look she gave the back of her daughter’s head.
Whoops. She had probably assumed Henry had invited me.
“Henry will be fine without you. In fact, he’ll be much better off. At least you didn’t manage to get him killed,” Mr. Beaumont tossed quietly across the table in a venomous tone. That one hit me like a physical blow. I felt myself flinch. A tear trickled down my cheek.
“We told him not to go back into that warehouse, but he wouldn’t listen to us. He should’ve just left you there,” his mom added. Another tear escaped. But at least this one, I could agree with.
“You’re right. I wish he hadn’t walked into that warehouse, either.
I wish with all my heart that he had stayed away.
Left me there. And then he wouldn’t have been hurt.
At all. And I would’ve been politely asked where the money was, and I wouldn’t have known.
And then I’d be dead, because if you’re not useful to the mob, that’s the only other option,” I said softly, several more tears tracking down my cheeks.
I meant every word. There was no venom in my tone.
I felt Andrew shift as if he’d say something, but I wasn’t done.
And I certainly didn’t want him chiming in.
I already felt like I was breaking in half, and I didn’t need his help pushing me into the bottomless pit.
I was already in free fall. I swiped at my face viciously, accidentally scraping my cheek with the plexi-cast.
“But I truly, truly would’ve rather that have happened than what did,” I finished. Or so I thought. A small slice of fire crashed through the abyss. And I continued, briefly glancing at Andrew before looking back to Henry’s parents.
“And like I’ve been told recently, I wouldn’t have been missed.
All I have to miss me is two best friends who recently made it clear that they agree I’m a terrible person, and a mother who hates me.
And I’m just beginning to realize why. Would that have been enough for you?
Would two Brookses dying for their sins be enough for you?
” I asked harshly, but quietly. I already knew the answer. But I wanted to hear it.
“No,” his mom said simply. Clearly. “Nothing would ever be enough.” I nodded, standing. Grabbing my purse, I quietly said one last thing as the tears streamed down my face.
“I knew that already. Because I FEEL that. Already. But I’d just like to point out something that should make you really happy.
Your family is here. Whole, and happy, and healthy, or mostly at least. Alive.
You have seven grand-children, likely more eventually.
And my family? John’s family? Is broken.
John is dead. His wife is a hateful shell, and his daughter is alone.
Broken and alone. So, take some comfort in that,” I finished simply.
I swiped my tears away again, turning for the door. I turned back to Andrew quickly, refusing to actually look him in the eye. I stared at his forehead as I said, “Tell Henry happy birthday, and I had to get back to work.” He nodded.
I got the tears wiped enough to be seen in the main dining room before I hit the door.
Which was good, because I yet again ran into Henry.
I was out of luck it seemed. I looked up at him, knowing he’d see I was upset, knowing I couldn’t hide it from him and wishing I could.
He immediately looked concerned. I leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, then whispered in his ear.
“I made sure they’d bring you ice cream with the cake. It’s your birthday. Enjoy your sweets.”
Then I was gone before he could respond.