I had a feeling I never could. “Thanks, Tucker.”
He clinked his beer against mine.
I was in my office when the email popped up on my monitor.
Dr. Hamilton,
We cordially invite you and your team to our Biotech Symposium to present your current research on cellular molecular effects on inflammation, C-reactive proteins, and immunity and its effect on unhealthy replication of carcinogenic cells.
I read through the rest of the email, seeing the location and date, as well as the fact that all travel expenses were included. This symposium was held every year, and I was almost always invited. It wasn’t the best time to leave the country for this, but it was too important to ignore. I’d have to talk to Cleo about it when I got home.
My excitement was momentary because Valerie’s name appeared on my phone.
I let it ring a few times before I answered. “Yes?” I had no patience anymore. I wouldn’t be polite or even tolerant. “I hope you’ve changed your mind about this whole London bullshit.” Selfishly, I wanted her to go. But selflessly, I wanted her to stay. I never wanted Derek to doubt that both his parents loved him.
“I haven’t. That’s why I’m calling…because I’m leaving at the end of the week.”
Was she fucking kidding me? “I can’t believe this.”
“You moved on with Cleo. I need to move on too.”
“Regardless of who I move on with, I’m still a father—and you’re still a mother.”
She was quiet.
I couldn’t believe this bullshit. Now that she couldn’t use Derek against me and there was no chance of getting me back, she was just going to dump him? Was my worst fear really true? “Valerie…come on.”
“I’ve made up my mind. I won’t change it.”
Jesus Christ. “Then how are we going to do this?”
“I’ll call him and stuff.”
And stuff? “Are you going to visit often?”
“We’ll play it by ear.”
“You know, his birthday is right after Christmas. Could you stay until then? Please?” I couldn’t believe I just fucking said please. Like a little bitch. Why did I have to beg her to be there for our son?
“Jake wants to get settled before Christmas.”
“And what does Jake have to do with this?”
“Well, I’m moving in with him.”
“Again. He has nothing to do with you, me, and Derek. I’m asking you to stay. Jake is not part of this equation.”
“I need to sell my place.”
No matter what I said, it wouldn’t change anything. “So, you’re going to miss Christmas and his birthday?”
“I’ll send him a gift.”
I slammed my hand on the desk. “He doesn’t care about gifts, Valerie.”
“Look, if you wanted to keep this family together, you should have worked it out with me.”
“Jesus Christ, I don’t love you! Don’t put that on me. We can still be a family even if we aren’t together anymore. How many times—”
Click.
I threw my phone across the room, made it shatter, and then slammed my hand onto the desk again.
The phone on my desk started to ring.
I already knew who it was. I put the receiver to my ear.
Theresa spoke with a timid voice. “Everything okay?”
No, it wasn’t fucking okay. “Get a hold of Cleo and ask her to bring me a new phone.”
“Alright…anything else?”
“No.” I hung up and fell back into my chair, furious, my vision red, my knuckles throbbing.
The phone rang again.
I picked up. “What?”
“Uh…Dr. Hawthorne is here to see you. Should I let her in?”
I knew exactly why she was there. We should be celebrating right now. But that stupid bitch ruined everything. “Yes. And get me some ice.” I hung up.
Kathleen must have been warned about my sour mood because she wasn’t as perky as she usually was. She approached the desk, studying me like I was a viper about to strike with its fangs. “I just got the email from the symposium. Have you read it?”
“Yes.” I took a deep breath to steady my anger. “It’s very good news.”
Kathleen watched Theresa come around the table and hand me a bag of ice.
I put it on my knuckles.
Theresa also picked up my broken phone and set it on the desk before silently excusing herself.
“Bad day?” Kathleen asked.
“Yeah, a bit.”
“Problems with Cleo?”
“No. My ex-wife.”
“Oh…I see. You want to talk about it?”
“Not really.” Cleo would be there in the next hour, and we’d have an extensive conversation about it.
“Then I’ll come back at a later time…when we can celebrate.” She turned away.
“I apologize for my rudeness,” I said. “This all happened at the same time…”
She turned back to me. “I completely understand. We all have days like that. But I hope we’ll be attending next month.”
I wasn’t sure how I was going to pull it off. Being a single parent was rough. I had new respect for all the people who were parenting solo. “Yes. Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Great.” She smiled and let herself out.