Page 110 of Yearn

Now I knew one major truth. . .it was always better to not have a shitty father in the house, than to force yourself to raise a child with one.

His jaw ticked. “I didn’t ask you to quit law school.”

“No, you just never thought about what it cost me to stay. You didn't pack my hospital bag either or go to any medical appointments. You chose yourself as always—"

"I was busy—"

"You were at a Dodgers game when I went into labor. I called you fourteen times. You texted back 'can't talk, bottom of the ninth.'"

My voice cracked. "Our daughter was dying and you were eating nachos in the nosebleeds. You chose yourself as always, and throughout our entire marriage you continued to do so.”

"Believe what you want, Teyonah. I am a good husband and father."

I stared at him.

He actually believed it. That was the sickest part—he'd rewritten every memory until he was the hero and I was the ungrateful shrew who couldn't appreciate his sacrifices.

"Good father? Name any of the kids' teachers. Any one of them."

"This is ridiculous—"

"You don't know their birthdays without checking Facebook. You've never made them breakfast. You don't know Oliver’s allergies or J's shoe size or what they’re afraid of in the dark." My voice dropped. "But you know every big-breasted bartender's name and birthday at The Standard, don't you?"

“Read the fucking order.” He thrust the papers forward.

I snatched them from him and the first page’s corner snagged the pad of my thumb.

Shit.

A hot, ridiculous sting came.

A thin bead of blood welled.

Fucking asshole.

I brought my thumb to my mouth and tasted copper.

While I read, Scott beamed and spouted it out, “Judge Coleman has approved six months cohabitation. The State will not allow us to divorce without an attempt at trying to save it. So, congratulations. You win me back. You are going to help us become whole after you ruined—”

“You cheated—”

“You kicked me out—”

“Because you cheated—”

“It wasonemistake—”

“It was several times.”

He leaned his head to the side. “Prove it.”

Rage flared.

No. Please no.

I scanned all the words.

Motion.