Chapter 48
48
Teresa’s eyes slowly opened, her head pounding as if a drum solo was playing inside her skull. She lay there, disoriented, for a few minutes before she could find the strength to sit up on the edge of the bed. She checked the time–almost ten.
Tm late again But who cares I m quitting anyway Teresa thought to herself
Teresa s hair was a mess from the night before as she stepped out of bed She noticed the beer bottles and a note from Miriam on the table I left without telling you because I didn t want to wake you up
Teresa shook her head, recalling how she and Miriam had lost count of the drinks they’d had the night before.
“Michael… Teresa called out, pushing open the door to the kid’s room, only to find that he was not there. Then she headed to the bathroom:
Michael was perched on the toilet What s up I m in the middle of something he said
Teresa nodded and asked What do you want for breakfast How about some gruel
Michael didn t respond so Teresa started cooking the gruel and went to brush her teeth With a toothbrush in her mouth she heard the doorbell ring
Surprised she paused and rushed to the door to find Jonathan carrying several bags Her heart skipped a bear and as soon as she opened the door she tried to push him back out What are you doing Why are you here again
Jonathan looked at her who had just woken up and said You tell me why I m here
How should I know You re my ex not my husband anymore Teresa retorted
Hearing this, Jonathan scoffed and shoved the bags into her arms.
Teresa glanced down to see hash browns waffles and packaged beef soup and pancakes
She was stunned not remembering the phone call from last night and thinking she had dreamed it all She also found it odd that Jonathan knew exactly what she wanted to eat
Who are these for Teresa asked confused
Jonathan replied For the dog
Teresa said I don t have a dog Take them back
Jonathan s face darkened and he gritted his teeth I went out of my way this morning across half of N are i gh to get breakfast for a little dog That s the kind of guy I am And with that he left
Teresa thought it was strange but figured she hadn t asked him to buy breakfast in the first place
After bringing the breakfast inside and closing the door she washed her face again When she came out she found Michael on the hash browns and sipping the beef soup
Mom this beef soup is really good Michael said
Is it Let me try Teresa replied
Michael scooped a spoonful and brought it to Teresa s lips
munching
Teresa took a bite of the hash browns from her son s hand and found it delicious thinking This is from Breakfast Nook right It tastes the same as always
Mom who bought this breakfast Michael asked
It s Teresa hesitated recalling Jonathan s comment about buying it for a dog and thumping her chest dramatically Sweetie we re acting like dogs here
So what Dogs are cute Michael said shoveling hash browns into his mouth
Teresa couldn t help but laugh thinking Right acting like dogs is fine As long as we ve got food
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48
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Stuffed and at ease Teresa went to her office
Catching sight of Teresa s tardy entrance Sherry swiftly steered her to the side Girl you re late again The boss was poking around at noon I covered for you saying you were in the restroom
Thanks a bunch Teresa responded with a smile of gratitude on her face
Sherry offered a nonchalant shrug followed by a sigh Teresa you ve missed twenty days this month Are you nuts You re not stressed about your paycheck
With a flip of her hand Teresa dismissed the concern It s all good Im quitting by the end of the month
What Sherry s eyes widened in astonishment
Had enough of the rat race I m thinking of starting my own business Teresa said firmly
Eagerly Sherry asked Teresa What kind of business Can you bring me in I m so over this gig How am I supposed to survive on two or three grand a month After rent and bills I m tapped out
Teresa looked at Sherry thoughtfully Sherry was more than just a coworker she was a friend
She understood Sherry s struggle coming from a poor background staying in Narc i gh after college and chasing dreams of making it big But decent jobs were scarce in N are i gh a place where college degrees were a dime a dozen
Sherry have you considered sharing a place I m actually looking for a roommate My spare room is empty you can pay me five hundred in rent
That sounds fantastic Sherry exclaimed I m for king almost 1 000 just for rent now Where do you live she asked Teresa Rosary Estates on River buss Road Teresa replied
I know that place It s one of those high rises pretty swanky Sherry said T m jealous You roll up in a Porsche every day not a care in the world about money
Teresa shook her head and said I m not as well off as you think I stress about money too
In the middle of their chat, Sherry’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the caller ID, her expression souring, and she moved away to take the call
Teresa glanced at her phone, spotting a string of missed calls and one connected call that morning, all from Jonathan. She felt like she’d just snapped out of a daze and dropped her head onto her desk.
I must be crazy I had Jonathan buy breakfast for me thinking it was a dream Im in deep water I even called him honey Teresa thought her face burning with embarrassment
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