Underwear can be turned inside out for a second wear, if need be.
EWWWW. Stop!
Hahahaha. I knew you’d say that. Go easy on yourself, kid. It’s been a rough couple of days.
I will. Don’t worry.
And stay away from his phone. I should’ve brought it with me today.
I’m not looking. I promise.
Good. Looking forward to installing the smokestacks on the Titanic.
He was talking about the model on the way to school, and now he wants to see the movie.
It might be a bit intense for a seven-year-old…
That’s what I was thinking, too, but he says he can handle it.
Maybe start with some kids’ books that tell the story so he can decide if he wants to see it unfold in real time.
Yes, good idea. Going to see if I can order a few.
See you soon.
I smile as I reply.Not soon enough.
Stop.
You stop.
You don’t usually tell me to stop. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Now I’m mortified. I send the red-face emoji and receive laughing ones in response. I send him the eggplant.What can I say? It’s been a while.
You don’t hear me complaining, do you?
Nope.
So is this a RELATIONSHIP?
Go away.
I send more laughter emojis.
He makes me feel like a teenager in the throes of first love, which is silly. I’m so far from the throes of first love, it’s not even funny. And what arethe throesanyway? What does that even mean? I guess it means if the other person makes you feel giddy with excitement at knowing you’re going to see him in a few short hours, that might qualify as being in the throes of something. Whether or not it’s love, I couldn’t say.
I love Gage as a friend, and I have for a while now. But am I “in love” with him? Since it hasn’t even been a week since our not-relationship took a turn toward romance, it’s far too soon to be asking myself questions like that, especially when he’s doing his best to keep it from becoming an actual relationship.
I do know this—I need to be careful. If he can’t commit to something more than friends with benefits, I’ll have to accept that and not allow myself to be crushed. I’m all about self-preservation these days, which is why I’m not giving in to the temptation to look at Mike’s phone.
But I do want to talk to the mother of his other child, and with that in mind, I put through a call to Steve.
“Iris. Hi. I was hoping I might hear from you. How’re you doing?”
“I’m just dandy after finding out my husband was leading a double life.”
“I don’t think he was doing that, per se.”