17. The Denial

I visitedthe hospital the next day on the way to my lawyers. I wore black in reverence to Dad.

“Hi. How’s the shoulder?” I asked Buddy as I entered his hospital room. A little pal, otherwise, he looked fine, still handsome.

“The doctor stitched me up and said I’ll be able to start physical therapy next week.”

“That good news. But I cannot believe you got shot. I’m so sorry.”

“I’ll be fine. So…” He reached his other hand out for me. “I missed you last night. But I understand. You must have had so much to do with Cal’s arrangements.”

“Yes. I can’t stay long. I’m actually headed to the lawyers office for the reading of the will.”

“So soon?”

I shrug. “Cal’s body is being cremated. So I’m not hosting a memorial for him until I get his ashes back. Today is more of a formality, just getting it over with. I’ve waited for this moment for so long, to finally get control of Mom’s company. Starting tomorrow, I have work to do. You understand.”

“Yep. You have my script to produce, after all.”

“Um. Yeah. About that.” I twirled the ring on my finger. “I’m going to put a pause on it for now, just during this transition while I take over. Besides, I think it’s best if we part ways, don’t you? I mean our agreement is over. There’s no reason for you to stay here now.”

“But I thought I’d stick around. See this project through. Make sure you get on your feet with this studio.”

“The thing is. I don’t need your help, Buddy. I don’t need any man. After Cal and Edward, I just want to be alone for a while. I hope you understand?”

“Uh, what?” He scoffs. “I thought we had something real. You said?—”

“I know what I said. And I’m sorry, I’m so confused. There’s just so much going on right now. I need time.”

“So I guess you got what you wanted. Your revenge. Now I’m disposable.”

“Revenge is all I’ve wanted. Of course, it wouldn’t have been worth my time if there wasn’t a big pay off in the end.”

“What about love? About the night we married, and all the things we shared and said and did together. Fuck I thought it all was starting to mean something.”

I couldn’t speak to that at first, because it I’d be lying if I disagreed.

“Your eyes and your hesitation give you away, Honey. You got your revenge and money, though. I can’t believe I’m saying this and going against the very vow I took long ago, but hell, we’re already married. Let’s give things between us time to develop. What do you say?”

“I got you a gift.”

I set the box in front of him, but he can’t open it. “Well, It’s a Rolex watch. I had them engrave something to you on the back. You can open it later. Oh, and here. The ring…” I almost hated to part with it.

“Keep it.”

“What? Oh, I shouldn’t.”

“No, really. I bought it for you. It’s yours.”

I twirl it nervously on my finger. It represents…so much.

“Thanks.”

“So that’s it? Hey, my script. Did you really like it? Was it good or was this just part of the whole plan, too?”

“No. It’s good, Buddy. I’ll produce it, eventually. We’ll be in touch.”

“Honey… The marriage doesn’t have to be fake, you know. We can still try for something real.”

“Take care of yourself, Buddy.”