15
After I was discharged, Jessica and I became
friends. She lost the baby, but said she felt no sadness.
David’s “inferior genes” weren’t worth it. Cutting her losses was good business
practice.
Jessica referred me to a lawyer. I filed for
divorce.
The lawyer assured me I wasn’t responsible
for Mark’s debts.
His parents, having exhausted all options,
came to my house, begging me to drop the
charges.
I sent my parents and Lily to their room, then
faced Mark’s parents.
My hatred for them was immense.
I didn’t let them in, speaking through the mail
slot. “Your son committed a crime. No one is
letting him off.”
“When you knew what he was, yet still
pushed him to marry, did you ever think to spare me?”
“When he relapsed and drowned in debt, did you ever think to spare me?”
His mother wailed. “Mark’s just a child! He made a mistake! A good wife would have kept him on the right path! It’s your fault!” His father pointed at me. “You’re divorced
with a kid. Who else would want you besides my son?”
I laughed, tears streaming down my face. “Right, a 34–year–old child.”
Laughing, I called the police.
Lily ran out. Hands on her hips, she declared,
“I want Mommy! Grandma and Grandpa want
Mommy! Auntie Vivian wants Mommy!
Mommy is the best! Everyone wants her!”
“But we don’t want Daddy!”
I kissed her cheek. As Mark’s parents cursed
く
“I want Mommy! Grandma and Grandpa want
Mommy! Auntie Vivian wants Mommy!
Mommy is the best! Everyone wants her!”
“But we don’t want Daddy!”
I kissed her cheek. As Mark’s parents cursed,
I raised my voice.
“Instead of harassing me, worry about your retirement fund being gone, your son in jail, and who will take care of you now.”
“Reap what you sow.
“”
I slammed the mail slot shut, smiling at Lily. “Let’s go eat watermelon with Grandma and
Grandpa.”
“Yay!”
It was good to be alive. From now on, life
would be sweet.
Like watermelon.
