Chapter 2
Evelyn and I still had some cash on hand.
It wasn't much, but by pooling what we had, we managed to rent a small one-bedroom place in an affordable neighborhood.
Divorce and splitting up the assets would take time, so she planned to keep working for now.
I asked her to help me order some ingredients and tools.
I planned to make some sandwiches and breakfast items, plus a few handmade toys, and sell them around the neighborhood.
I wasn't cut out for the jobs young folks did anymore.
But as long as my hands still worked, and my legs could carry me, I could always find a way to put food on the table.
That first night, I didn't sleep well.
I kept waking up in the middle of the night.
Half-asleep, I thought I heard William coughing, and it seemed his old wheezing was starting up again.
He was getting up there in years, and his health was slipping more and more.
Still groggy, I got out of bed, ready to fetch him some water and his pills out of habit.
But in the dim light from the window, I saw Evelyn sleeping on the couch.
Then, it hit me. I wasn't at home anymore, and I didn't have to look after him anymore.
I could sleep in as late as I wanted.
I didn't need to worry about William scolding me for sleeping too soundly and failing to bring him his medicine.
And I didn't need to stress over Charles complaining that I got up too late and didn't make breakfast early enough.
Evelyn woke up at the sound of me moving, and our eyes met in the darkness.
She hadn't been sleeping well, either. Neither of us asked why, but we both knew.
After years spent taking care of those two, we'd long forgotten what a good night's sleep felt like.
She climbed into bed next to me, offering quiet comfort as we lay side by side.
It was already getting light outside. I figured it was around six in the morning.
As we settled in, her phone started ringing.
She answered it, and right away, a flood of angry complaints blasted through from Charles.
He snapped, "I already told you I've got an art show this morning.
"Why aren't you and Mom back yet? Who's going to cook? And my shirt still isn't ironed.
"Yesterday's eggs were way too overcooked. Tell Mom to make them runny today."
I heard it all.
Evelyn, always the gentle one, couldn't help but frown now.
She said, "Mom and I aren't coming back. We'll wait until the divorce is finalized."
William's voice came through, and like Charles, he sounded livid.
He shouted, "At your age, what are you trying to prove? Why keep stirring things up?
"That's enough. Remember to pick up some groceries when you get back. Charles's classmates are coming over this afternoon, so make sure to cook a big dinner tonight.
"The retirement home called again, asking me to teach a class for the people there.
"I need to head over there, so hurry back."
I knew, however, that the "class" was an excuse for William to visit his old flame, Grace Miller, at the retirement home.
He and Charles kept talking, completely ignoring what Evelyn and I had said.
I glanced at Evelyn.
She didn't wait for them to finish and hung up.
She tossed her phone aside, frustration clear in her voice. "It's like talking to a brick wall."
I closed my eyes, planning to catch a little more sleep.
For decades, we had been waiting on William and Charles, always on duty. Now, it was our turn to rest.
My mind was drifting off as I replied, "When have they ever listened to us?"
They'd always said, "What does she know? Don't pay her any mind."