Part 7:
What do you want? That’s how you greet your husband? Ex-husband. The divorce isn’t final yet. It will be. David’s voice turned cold. I need you to sign some additional paperwork. The house appraisal came in higher than expected. So, so I’m entitled to half the appreciation value during our marriage. Elena almost laughed. You kicked me out.
That’s not how the law works. My lawyer disagrees. Silence. Your lawyer. David’s tone changed. You can’t afford a lawyer. Apparently, I can. Where are you getting money, Elena? None of your business. It is my business if you’re hiding assets. I don’t have assets. I have exactly $8 in a borrowed phone charger.
Then who’s paying for your lawyer? Elena smiled. A friend? You don’t have friends. The words should have hurt. They didn’t because they weren’t true anymore. Sign the settlement as written, Elena said calmly. Or don’t. Either way, I’m done negotiating with you. She hung up. Her hands were shaking, but she felt powerful.
Mason found her in the kitchen 20 minutes later. You okay? I heard you on the phone. I’m fine. Actually, I’m better than fine. Yeah. I just told David to go to hell. Mason grinned. How’d that feel? Amazing. Good. You should do it more often. The weekend brought chaos. Sophie had a birthday party to attend. Ethan needed new cleats for spring soccer.
Mara wanted to go to an art supply store across town. Elena coordinated it all. She drove Sophie to the party and stayed to make sure she was comfortable. Took Ethan to three different sporting goods stores to find the right cleats. Spent 2 hours with Mara in the art store, listening to her explain different types of charcoal.
By the time they got home, Elena was exhausted, but happy. Mason was in the kitchen making dinner. “How’d it go?” he asked. “Good. Sophie made a friend. Ethan found cleats. Mara bought enough art supplies to open her own store. Sounds expensive. Your credit card survived.” Mason laughed. I’m less worried about my credit card than I am about where she’s going to put all that stuff. Her room. Probably on the floor.
Of course. They worked together to finish dinner. It felt natural, easy, like they’d been doing this for years instead of weeks. Over pasta, Sophie announced. I invited my new friend Zoe over next weekend. That’s great, sweetheart, Mason said. Elena said it was okay, Mason glanced at Elena. She shrugged. I checked the calendar first.
See, Sophie said triumphantly. Elena knows the calendar. Elena knows everything, Ethan said. Not everything, Elena protested. More than dad. Hey, Mason objected. It’s true. You forgot my orthodontist appointment last week. I didn’t forget. I had a board meeting. Elena remembered. Mason sighed. Yes, Elena remembered. Mara spoke up quietly.
The anniversary is tomorrow. The table went silent. Mason’s expression shifted. I know, sweetheart. Are we doing the thing? if you want to. What thing? Elena asked quietly. We go to mom’s favorite place, Ethan explained. The botanical gardens, and we bring flowers and talk about her. It’s stupid, Mara muttered.
It’s not stupid, Mason said firmly. It feels stupid. You don’t have to come. Yes, I do. No, you don’t. I’m not letting you and Ethan and Sophie go without me. Then come. But don’t call it stupid. Mara pushed her pasta around. Elena reached over and squeezed her hand. It’s okay to not want to go, she said quietly.
And it’s okay to go anyway. Mara’s eyes filled. I hate this. I know. The next day was gray and cold. Everyone moved slowly through morning routines. Elena made breakfast. Nobody ate much. Mason appeared in a suit, then changed into jeans and a sweater. The kids dressed in silence. You don’t have to come, Mason said to Elena.
This is family. I’d like to. Elena interrupted. If that’s okay. Mason looked at his kids. Sophie nodded immediately. Ethan shrugged. Sure. Mara met Elena’s eyes. Okay. They drove to the gardens in silence. It was the first time Elena had seen Mason look truly vulnerable. He carried a bouquet of white roses, Caroline’s favorite.
They walked through the winter gardens until they reached a small memorial bench with Caroline’s name on a plaque. Mason sat. The kids gathered around. Elena hung back, giving them space. “Hey, Mom,” Mason said quietly. And then he started talking about the kids’ accomplishments, Sophie’s reading progress, Ethan’s soccer goals, Mara’s latest art piece.
The kids added their own updates. It was heartbreaking and beautiful. When they finished, Mara stood abruptly and walked away. Elena followed. She found Mara sitting on a bench crying. I’m sorry, Mara gasped. I just You don’t have to apologize. “I miss her so much.” “I know. And I hate that Sophie barely remembers her.
And I hate that I’m forgetting things like her laugh and how she smelled.” And Elena pulled Mara into a hug. The girl collapsed against her. “It’s not fair,” Mara sobbed. “No, it’s not. Why did she have to die? I don’t know. They sat like that until Mara’s tears slowed. I’m glad you’re here. Mara whispered. Elena’s heart cracked open.
