Because (Seven Year Itch #4)(32)

My first matter of business is to pretend she means nothing to me. It’s the only way I can get her attention. I’m not going to come out and say it, because she’ll know it’s not the truth. My best bet is to do it with actions. If she wants to tell people I’m a self-righteous *, I’ll be one.

I make plans with Toby for dinner. He’ll do whatever I ask of him, especially if it’s to teach my wife a lesson. I know the fastest way to grab Shayla’s attention will be through my friends.

I don’t call her, and I’m also not surprised she doesn’t try to get in touch with me throughout the day. Like I’ve already planned, I pick Aberdeen up from my mother after work so I don’t have to see Shayla. I haven’t considered how our separation is affecting my parents, my mom especially. She’s in tears when I show up, while Ab is out back with my dad. My mom pats the spot next to her on the couch. I hand her a new tissue out of the box she keeps on the end table. “What’s the matter?”

“You know. I’m upset about you and Shayla. I love her like a daughter. She left here in tears. I don’t want to be a part of this, Brandon. You need to work this out for Ab’s benefit.”

“I know. I’ll figure it out. I have a plan, but it’s going to take some time. Shayla’s stubborn. She’s not going to come home without believing she’s achieved what she’s set out to do.”

“She says none of us can see how you really are. What does she mean, Brandon?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know. She’s ridiculous. She wants me to spend every waking second stuck up her ass. That’s all it is.”

“I’m worried. I don’t want you to get divorced. You’re both so young.”

“Mom, I won’t let that happen. We’re separated. It’s not the end of our marriage, I can assure you. Did Shayla mention anything to you about last night?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “No.”

“It figures. Of course she’d want you to think she’s perfect.” I laugh to myself. “What would you say if I told you I had her in bed last night?”

She seems shocked. “What? I’d say you were full of it.”

“Well it’s true. She came by all mad and we ended up naked.” I pronounce it like nekked to be funny.

My mom is more interested in the act though. “She never said a word.”

“Because Shayla thinks if she doesn’t talk about it, it never happened. Like I said earlier, I’ve got it under control. This is just a bump in the road for us.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” I wave it off with my hand. “She’ll come around in a week or so.”

When my mom seems to calm down, I head outside to find my dad and Aberdeen. My dad shakes my hand. He always stays out of the drama, so I’m not surprised when he doesn’t mention Shayla at all.

Toby’s apartment is twenty minutes away. While driving there, Aberdeen talks about her mother. “Mom says I can spend the night this weekend at Grandmas. She says we can go to the movies.”

“She did?” I’m not surprised Shayla would go against my rules. She’s doing it to get to me.

“Yep. She said she’s going to pick me up from school and we’ll have the whole weekend.”

“Is that right?” I’m getting more annoyed by the minute. Shayla is testing my last nerve. First she forgets to mention we were together last night, and now I learn she’s making plans with our daughter for the whole weekend.

“I wish you could come with us,” she sadly adds.

“Well, maybe I’ll make a surprise visit.”

I hear her giggle. “Mom might get mad.”

“Ab, at this point, when is your mom not mad at me?”

She shrugs in the backseat. “I don’t know.”

“We’ll figure it out, kiddo. Don’t you worry about anything. Daddy has a plan.”

“Is it a secret?”

“For now.”

We pull into the parking lot where Toby lives and I see him getting out of his BMW. He’s a paralegal while he finishes school in order to take the BAR exam. He already dresses the part to impress the group of attorneys he works with in hopes of one day being able to be a partner at the firm. He’s got a good plan, and since both of his parents are in the legal field I know he’ll succeed. He’s come a long way from the worst player on our little league team.

Toby greets us as we exit our vehicle. Aberdeen runs up and gives him a hug. “Hi, Uncle Toby.”

“Hey there, squirt. Cara’s been wondering when you would visit again. She needs help making dinner. Do you think you’re up for it?” She runs inside without answering, disappearing up the stairs before we can race behind her.

Once inside the second floor pad, I find my daughter on a stool looking into the kitchen. Cara is busy stirring something in a pot while chatting away with my daughter. She offers a smile without distracting from their important conversation.

Toby doesn’t waste time asking the obvious. “So, how did you manage to come out tonight without the wife?”

He doesn’t know what’s going on. Up to this point, I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk about it with anyone, even my best friend. “Yeah, about that. We’re taking some time apart.”