A Woman Let Her 11-Year-Old Son Walk Home from School Alone for the First Time – Twenty Minutes Later, Her Neighbor Called Her Crying, ‘Come Outside. You Need to See What Your Son Did’ – Page 13

“Nathan wanted to know how Joel was doing.”

“Then he should’ve asked Joel.”

“I thought I was helping.”

That’s going to ruin his Thursday.

“You helped Nathan avoid being a father.”

“Sarah…”

“Goodbye, Ivy.”

I hung up.

I thought I was helping.

***

The next morning, Vanessa called. “Everything’s ready.”

“Did he agree?”

“He thinks we’re meeting to discuss the divorce.”

“Perfect.”

“He even said he wants to settle things peacefully.”

Everything’s ready.

I nearly dropped my coffee. “Nathan? Peacefully?”

“Wait until he sees who else is coming.”

For five years, Nathan had controlled the story. On Thursday, Vanessa and I were finally going to write our own ending.

***

I arrived at the restaurant early.

Vanessa was already seated, studying the menu.

Nathan? Peacefully?

“Ordering?”

“Considering the most expensive steak.”

“Feeling rich?”

“No. Just imagining Nathan’s face when he sees the bill.”

I laughed. “Ready?”

We were going to write our own ending.