My heart broke.I would never want Robin to see us fighting. I know that was very hard for a child to see.
“We just had a misunderstanding,”I told him after giving him a big hug. “Sometimes, it happens when grown-ups are together. Have you ever got into a fight with one of your friends because one of you thought the other person said or did something mean?”
He noddedand told me about how he and his best friend got into a fight last week.
After he finished his story,I said, “Well, grown-ups get into fights over silly things too. But no matter what happens between your mother and me, you must remember one thing.”
“What is that?”he sniffled.
“We both loveyou more than you could ever possibly know,” I said gently.
He threwhis arms around me. “I love you, Daddy.”
I walked backinto the living room with him, where another episode ofScooby Doowas about to come on. Robin snuggled up close to me, and I wrapped my arm around him, holding him tight.
I thoughtabout the fight that Jade and I had just had, and for the first time, it hit me just how different we were. We come from two completely different ways of life.
Besides Robin and sex,we didn’t have much in common.
Although I hatedto admit it, I wondered if my grandfather wasn’t right that our differences would drive us apart sooner or later.
31
Jade
I packed items Robin and I would need for the next few days. I would return for the rest of our things one day next week when Michael was at work.
My heart was dying inside, but I couldn't stay here. My hair, nails, and clothes weren't perfect like Daisy's and Goldie's, and I couldn't think, talk and act as they do. And I damn sure don't have the money that they have.
Sage was surprised when Robin and I showed up.
"I wasn't expecting to see you guys. What's up?" she asked, her face creased in concern as she eyed our bags.
"Can I have some ice cream?" Robin piped up.
"Sure, buddy. There are some ice cream sandwiches in the freezer." Sage said.
He dropped his bag with a smile and ran into the kitchen to grab his snack.
Sage sat on one of the barstools and put her chin into her hands. She looked at me and waited.
I told her about the entire situation. I explained how Daisy just showed up and took over everything. I told her about lunch and how humiliated I was, although I would never have let anyone know. Then, I told her about the confrontation that Michael and I had about it.
"We come from two different worlds. How can we have any personal relationship if we aren't even on the same planet?" I asked her, tugging at my hair.
Sage looked at me as though she knew there was more to the story. I sighed.
"I fell in love with Michael," I said.
Sage laughed mirthlessly. "Are you just now figuring that out? Everyone else knows you've been in love with the man since the first time you encountered him."
Shocked, I just stared at her. I had just figured it out myself. How did everyone else know?
I took a deep breath, and then the words just exploded.
"It doesn't matter whether I just started loving him or if I've loved him since Robin's conception. There is no way in the world our relationship will ever work. How can it be when all he does is give? I have nothing to give back," I told her sadly.
"He buys you clothes, sends his assistant to assist you, and does all those other things because that is the best way he knows how to take care of you and help you. He wouldn't want to do all those things if you didn't give something to the relationship," Sage said.