Chapter 313

“Don’t you like it? I thought this was the one you wanted forever?” Teresa spent over three thousand dollars on it at the mall just yesterday.

“I love it. Thank you, Mom,” Mike said, looking up at her. “Mom, what should I wear today?”

“See that T-shirt on the table?” Teresa said. “You can wear that to preschool today.”

“Is it new, Mom?” Michael asked, grabbing the neatly folded white T-shirt. “This shirt’s so boring. I don’t like ones without pictures.”

As he unfolded it, Jonathan’s autograph right in the middle jumped out at him. He froze.

“Whoa,” Michael breathed, his mouth hanging open. He looked up at Teresa in shock, then back down at the shirt. His eyes lit up like Christmas lights.

“Wow. Oh my gosh, Mom,” he stammered, too excited for words. He traced the signature with his finger as if it were made of gold, murmuring, “It’s a T-shirt signed by Mr. Lime himself!”

Michael’s eyes shone; he looked completely starstruck. “Mom, Mom, is this seriously Mr. Lime’s real signature?” he kept asking.

“Yep, it sure is,” Teresa said. “It’s the only one like it in the whole world, signed by him. How’s that for a surprise? Do you like it?”

“Like it? I love it! Mom, you’re the best!” Michael cheered, bouncing up and down on the bed in wild circles. “Mom, how’d you even get this?” he asked breathlessly.

“You said you wanted his autograph again, right? So, of course, I made it happen. Are you happy now?” Teresa asked with a grin, pinching his cheek.

“I’m super happy, like, the happiest ever. This is the best gift ever!” Michael stretched his arms up, striking a superhero pose. He couldn’t wait to put on the shirt. He struck a pose and asked Teresa, “Does it look good? Do I look cool?”

“Of course, you look cool. My son is the coolest kid in the world,” Teresa said, making him sit still for a moment so she could fix the T-shirt collar.

Michael had the T-shirt on with his pajama bottoms still on, looking ridiculous. But he couldn’t care less. He threw his arms around Teresa and planted a big, smacking kiss on her cheek.

“Mom, you’re the best. You’re the most beautiful mom in the whole world,” he declared, then hopped off the bed and ran to the bathroom to admire himself in the mirror.

Teresa watched Michael dash off, shaking her head with a smile. Just then, her phone buzzed. She pulled it out and saw a text from “Good Doggy”—her contact name for Jonathan.

Jonathan: [We agreed on 30 thousand. You lost four zeros.]

Teresa had only transferred Jonathan 3 dollars. Teresa replied: [I thought you were kidding about charging me.]

Jonathan: [Not kidding. You’re not my wife or girlfriend anymore.]

When Teresa didn’t answer, Jonathan sent another message: [Send me the money. Now.]

Teresa: [I don’t have that kind of cash in my account. Besides, all you did was scribble your signature like a trained seal. And you want 30 thousand for that? What, you robbing me now?]

Jonathan shot back: [Get your boyfriend to give you the money. Don’t tell me he can’t afford 30 thousand.]

She still didn’t reply. “Let him think whatever he wants,” she fumed silently. “He was the one getting cozy with that actress, holding her hand for all the world to see.” She wasn’t about to explain herself to Jonathan, her ex.

Jonathan bombarded her with more messages: [Nothing to say? 1/2 11:18 Fri, 23 May. I didn’t get a good look that day, but thinking about it, that guy seemed shorter than you. Why aren’t you denying it? So, are you two dating now?]

Teresa only caught the first two messages and replied: [He’s alright.] She was referring to the guy’s height.

The next second, Jonathan called her.