Chapter 314
Teresa didn’t want to answer, but Jonathan kept blowing up her phone. Frowning, she finally answered, “What do you want?”
“Alright, huh?” Jonathan said, his voice dangerously low, clearly fighting back anger. “What do you mean? Better in bed than me? Knows how to hit your spots better than I do?”
Teresa went dead silent for a few seconds. “Are you high? What’s your damage?”
Just then, Jonathan thought he heard a toilet flush on her end. His voice went ice-cold. “If you don’t have the money, ask him for it. Get him to transfer it. Or, better yet, put him on the phone. I’ll talk to him.”
“What the hell are you on about? Put who on the phone? I live alone. There’s nobody here. Who exactly do you think I’m going to ask?” Teresa shot back.
“I just heard someone in the background—” Jonathan began.
Teresa cut him off. “Heard someone my foot. Take your crazy pills if you’re having a meltdown. Stop bothering me.”
Jonathan went silent for two seconds. His face relaxed, and his tone suddenly softened. “Don’t hang up,” he said. “What are you even doing with my signature? I don’t buy that you’re going to frame it and hang it on your wall.”
“It’s for my coworker’s kid, okay?” Teresa said. “God knows why, but the kid’s totally obsessed with you, thinks you’re his idol, and was desperate for your signature.”
“Seriously, only little kids would actually like you. A dog could scratch out better-looking letters with its paws than your signature. I wouldn’t even pay three dollars for it.”
Deep down, Teresa felt a pang of jealousy. She’d splurged on an expensive, limited-edition toy that should have wowed any kid. But somehow, in Michael’s eyes, it couldn’t hold a candle to Jonathan’s stupid signature. She felt a bit better after letting off some steam.
Jonathan retorted, “Fine, go grab a dog. We’ll have a little competition. I want to know if my handwriting looks better than whatever a dog scratches out.”
“You’re nuts. Don’t call me again,” Teresa snapped.
She hung up on him abruptly. It really was Michael who flushed the toilet just now. Good thing she’d thought on her feet and managed to cover for it.
Teresa went to check on Michael in the bathroom. He’d already changed into a brand-new pair of gray sweatpants to go with his white T-shirt. He was brushing his teeth, constantly admiring himself in the mirror, humming a happy tune.
Teresa shook her head and called out, “Hurry up. Breakfast is almost ready.”
Not long after, Sherry arrived. Teresa asked if she’d grabbed breakfast, and Sherry nodded yes.
“Mike, I’m going to be your partner for family sports day today. Your mom’s not feeling too well,” Sherry said.
Michael’s head snapped toward Teresa, his face twisted with worry and confusion.
Teresa explained, “My leg cramped up this morning, so I can’t really run. Just let Sherry be your partner, okay? But don’t worry, I’m still coming to watch.”
“Okay.” The little guy lowered his head, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face.
Teresa knew he was upset, but there wasn’t much she could do. There was a baby to think about. One wrong jump or fall could spell trouble for the little one growing inside her.
“I’ll bring the video camera and catch all your best moves,” Teresa promised. “We’ll make you look like a total star.”
After breakfast, the three of them headed to preschool. Michael walked between them, holding Teresa’s hand with his left and Sherry’s with his right. He only let go once they got to the playground, then immediately darted off to show his T-shirt to his classmates.
“Hey guys, look,” Michael announced, puffing out his chest a little. “This T-shirt has Mr. Lime’s autograph on it. It’s the only one in the whole world!”
“Who’s Mr. Lime?” a puzzled little kid asked.