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“Yeah, even in college. Every once in a while I saw you in jeans.”

“Yeah, every once in a while. Sweatpants are too casual, leggings are… let’s just say that the leggings have to go with a skirt. And skirts… One time I wore a red skirt, kinda mid-length, it wasn’t even a mini, with stockings and knee-high boots.” Tasha’s voice dropped into a whisper. “Holy shit, I shut the company down that day. It was so bad that Kevin’s boss came down. Imagine some middle-aged middle manager trying to ask me to never wear that outfit again without actually saying that. After that, I only wear knee-length skirts or longer. I’m still not sure if I should be mad about being objectified or giddy because every guy in the place had to pick his tongue off the floor. Maybe both?”

“That’s kinda gross, but kinda empowering, too, in a weird way. I get you, though. I had a few dads give me the full-body-scan at parent-teacher conferences.”

“Gross! You’re married, and a mom, and their kids' teacher. That ain’t right.”

“Ugh, it was even worse if the wife was there.”

“So creepy…”

“So… is that why you swore off men?”

“Uh, I haven’t sworn off men. I’m just trying to explore who I am and what I like. Who do I connect with best? Like, I’ve connected before, but it was never like a deep connection, you know?”

“You mean love?”

“Yeah. Like, I’ve been in love, but I don’t know if it was ever the real thing.”

“I hear you. After the past few days, I am certain that I’m in the same boat. Well, except for Sophia. She’s my everything, especially now.”

Sensing that this might be dangerous territory for Megan, Tasha steered the conversation back to more mundane subjects. She suspected that her friend needed to talk about this, but probably not at the dinner table with her daughter. Thankfully, Sophia had been too busy eating and scratching Nocturne, and she’d hopefully missed that last bit of conversation. Tasha reached over, squeezed Megan’s hand, and gave her a quick smile. Megan smiled back.

“After dinner, can you show us how to feed Nocturne? Sophia and I should know how to do it, just in case you’re running late.”

“Sure thing! Thank you. Oh, and speaking of running late, let me tell you about Kevin’s thoughts on working late.”

“Oh no…”

CHAPTER 11

TELEPHONE

Tuesday was a day for more errands. Megan set up an account at a local credit union and applied for a credit card. It was definitely time to untangle her finances from Brad’s. After she finished that major priority, she started checking off a host of lesser priorities. She was feeling pretty good about the day when her phone buzzed. A new text.

Brad: You need to come home before I press charges for kidnapping my daughter

Megan: I didn’t kidnap our daughter. I took her to safety

Brad: ????

Megan: Just stop

We need to have a mature conversation About us

About Sophia

Brad: Then come home and we can talk

Megan: That is not the answer. I’m not in a good place to have that conversation and you aren’t either

Brad: Then when

Megan: I don’t know. Maybe Saturday. Maybe we’ll have cooled down by then.

Brad: ??

Stop stealing my money