The Call
Halfway through the principal’s speech about school spirit, my phone buzzed violently.
IN-LAWS.
I stepped into the hallway and answered.
“WHAT DID YOU DO?!” Diane shrieked.
I pulled the phone back from my ear. “Sorry, could you repeat that?”
“You locked us out!! We have our bags!”
Jack’s voice joined in. “Emily, open the damn door!”
I crossed my legs elegantly. “Oh, Jack. You really didn’t think this would catch up to you, did you?”
Silence.
Then Harold growled, “You ungrateful little—”
“Ah ah,” I said calmly. “Let me make something very clear.”
I straightened my shoulders, savoring every syllable.
“This is my house. I paid for it. Not Jack. Not either of you. Me. And I’m done being treated like a walking ATM.”
Jack’s voice was desperate now. “Emily, come on. Let’s talk.”
“Oh, we will,” I said. “In court.”
Diane gasped. “You’re divorcing him?! Over this?!”
I laughed softly. “No, Diane. I’m divorcing him because for years I’ve been carrying your son like he’s another child. And I’m finally putting him down.”
“You can’t do this!” she screeched.
“I already have.”
I hung up and turned off my phone. Then I went back inside just in time to see my child walk across the stage.
I didn’t miss the moment. And I didn’t miss the life I left behind, either.
