CHAPTER 57 - Molly

CHAPTER 57MollyI’M FEELING A RUSH OF OPTIMISM AFTER MY TRIP TO THE PRISON. I DEFINITELY feel stronger in a real physical sense, and my mystery caller hasn’t bothered me since I got back. I almost wish he would. I’m spoiling for a fight, as my Aunt Ellen would say.I finished my lunch, and I’m cleaning up when my doorbell rings. I check my computer screen and see Josh standing on my porch. Great. I throw the dishes in the sink and let him in.“Hey, Molly. Can we talk a minute?”“Fine, Josh. What’s up?”He tips his head toward the kitchen, so I shut the door behind him and walk down the hall. We sit at the kitchen table.He rubs his chin, glances toward the window. “I’m really sorry, you know, about what happened to you.”My spine stiffens. “I don’t want to talk about that. It’s behind me, okay?”“Yeah, sure.”“What do you want?”“I’m, uh, having a small birthday party for Kim on Saturday afternoon.”“Really? I guess you still haven’t told her about you and Laken, right?”He closes his eyes. “Hear me out, please.”I fold my arms. In the past, we’ve held a joint celebration for Kim and Jay, but this year, since Jay’s birthday was a big one, I decided he needed his own special day.“I know the timing’s bad, but I don’t want to just blow it off. Kim deserves something.”“Yeah, Josh, she does. When do you plan on telling her?”“I’m just worried about the baby, Molly, okay?”“She’s past her first trimester. Doctor says everything’s fine. You have broken it off with Laken, right?”“Yes. Of course.”“So when are you going to talk to Kim?”“Next Saturday. We’ll have the party this Saturday. Give it a week, and I’ll talk to her the following weekend. I don’t want to spoil her birthday. My parents can take Willow, and I’ll, I’ll do it then.”I lean back in my chair. Shake my head. “I still can’t believe this, Josh. How could you?”He drops his head in his hands.“Did you find a marriage counselor?” I ask. “Have a name anyway?”“I’ll ask Elise. She doesn’t need to know the particulars, but she’ll know somebody.”“Okay. But . . .” I squeeze his arm, and his eyes meet mine. “If you don’t tell Kim by next Saturday, I’ll tell her myself.”Anger flashes in his eyes, and he shakes his arm free from my grip. “I’ll do it, okay? I don’t need your threats, Molly.”I stand and pace the kitchen. “So who are you inviting? Laken and Cal?”“Just a few people. But I have to invite them. It’ll seem strange if I don’t. Laken’s cool with everything. She actually took it better than I thought.”I lean against the counter and let go a disgusted breath. “So she wasn’t destroyed by you dumping her. Go figure.”“Okay, I deserve your attitude. I get it. But just ease up. I’ll do the right thing. Just give me a goddamn minute.”I don’t dignify this with a response. “Who else is coming?”“The usual, plus her parents and my sister. That’s all probably.”“Okay, Josh. But if she doesn’t know by next weekend . . .” I shake my finger at him.He stands, nods. “Loud and clear, Molly. I’ll see you around.” There’s a glint in his eye that sends a shiver down my spine. There’s no doubt in my mind that we’ve gone from friends to enemies in the course of a week’s time.