Page 90 of Make It Last

“I like the job.”

My smile was bittersweet. “I knew you would, Mom. You just needed to get your license.”

Life had swallowed my mom’s plan to finish her nursing degree sooner. I was thrilled she’d finally taken this step.

“It’s different,” she said, tears shimmering in her eyes. “I actually like it more than I expected. I guess because I’m not doing all the day-to-day care. I’m not emotionally attached the way I was taking care of your sister. I mean, I care about them,” she rushed to add.

“Of course you do. You’re a total softie.”

A watery laugh sputtered up. “We’re not going to need as much financial help. In fact, uh, we probably don’t need it.”

“No?”

She shook her head. “No. My job pays really well. I kind of can’t believe it.”

“Mom, nursing is a challenging job, but it’s a good job.”

“I know.” She reached for my hand.

“I’ll keep helping until you feel settled,” I said carefully. “I want you and Dad to come up for a visit in Alaska. I fell in love with it, and I think you will too.”

“Okay.”

“And can we not have this conversation again tomorrow?” I asked dryly.

She rolled her eyes. “Okay.”

Progress. That afternoon, when I knew Brad would be at work, I went over to the apartment I’d shared with him. Not ours anymore. The place he was probably already sharing with my ex-boss, who had finally acknowledged my notice.

Something about the whole situation felt off. When I stopped by human resources earlier to handle my exit paperwork, she wasn’t there. I was supposed to have an exit interview with her. Instead, HR handled it. Surprising even myself, I told them about Brad and my ex-boss. Not because I wanted them to lose their jobs, but because I wasn’t going to lie for them. Not anymore.

My gut told me whatever they had was going to burn itself out fast. As I left HR, my phone rang. Her name flashed across the screen. I hesitated before shrugging. I was so over Brad. The humiliation still burned, but I could handle it.

“Hi,” I said.

“Hi, Ava.” Claire’s voice sounded tight and controlled. “I was wondering if you had a minute to talk.”

“I answered, so I do have a minute,” I replied evenly. “What can I do for you?”

The silence all but ticked like an old wall clock in an empty room. She finally spoke. “I hate that you’re going to go.”

“Well, I am,” I said calmly.

Another pause began to stretch, and she cleared her throat.

“What can I do for you?” I finally asked. “I just finished up with HR.”

“I’m aware.” Another throat clear, and another pause.

My stomach churned with that familiar, sour humiliation. I was over Brad. I didn’t want him back, or the marriage back. But the way it had all played out would probably always sting. Walking around that office while people knew and I didn’t. When it all came out, I’d felt like the only idiot in the room.

“I owe you an apology,” she finally said. Surprised, I stayed silent. “I shouldn’t have done what I did. I feel terrible. I wish I could rewind.”

“I don’t,” I said quickly.

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll always be embarrassed about what happened, but I never should have married Brad. I’m glad it’s over.”