Chapter 5
“You.. what did you just
Nathaniel’s voice trembled, like he couldn’t believe what he’d just henril.
The voice on the phone picked up on his change in too and came through clearer.
“Nathaniel, we found a medical report tucked into her gardening journal.”
“It says from years of bending over in the garden, her spine is nearly deformed.”
“Any added stress could put her at risk of full paralysis…”
Nathaniel didn’t hear the rest. He looked pale as a sheet and turned to me.
“Who did this happen
I looked away, Watching the sunlight bounce off the datura blossoms outside, my voice calm and cold.
“Does it really matter anymore?”
Nathaniel let go of our son’s hand and stared at me, trying to read my face.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
I actually laughed at that.
Did he think this illness popped up overnight?
After all these years, did he really not notice all the nights I tossed and turned in paint
He knew. He just didn’t care.
“Nathaniel, what’s the point of talking about this now?”
“Let’s get
t’s get divorced. Let’s leave each other with alle diety, okay?
For once, Nathaniel couldn’t look me in the eye
He lowered his head and gently pulled our son closer. His voice was full of regret
“Viviane, can’t we try again?”
“I know I messed up. I didn’t appreciate you the way I should have. But now.
“Let me take care of you. Please?”
It had been so long since he talked to me like that
The last time might’ve been back when we’d joy started dating
He lost the movie tickets to a film I’d been dying to see.
We were standing outside
to the theater, and I was so mad I said I wanted to break up
He looked just like this back then–head down, berging me not to leave him
But Nathaniel, te, it’s not movie tickets you lost.
It’s my love for you
There’s no going back.
I reached up to touch my aching back and shook my head.
“No”
“Nathaniel, no one waits around forever. It’s time we lin
we both moved on.”
Our son had been listening. The gently tagged on the hem of my cont
“Mom can’t you come home with us?”
He’d always been wild and fearless, but now he looked small onil scared.
Too bad. I wasn’t going to melt,
I ruffled his spiky hair and turned to leave.
Nathaniel called out behind me.
“I’m not signing those divorce papers. You’ll always be my wife.
1 paused but didn’t respe
The divorce filing was already in motion.
Whether Nathaniel liked it or not, this marriage was over
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