Chapter 48

Teresa’s eyes slowly opened, her head pounding as if a drum solo was playing inside her skull. She lay there, disoriented, for a few minutes before finding the strength to sit up on the edge of the bed. She checked the time—almost ten. Tm late again. But who cares? I’m quitting anyway, Teresa thought to herself.

Teresa’s hair was a mess from the night before as she stepped out of bed. She noticed the beer bottles and a note from Miriam on the table: “I left without telling you because I didn’t want to wake you up.”

Teresa shook her head, recalling how she and Miriam had lost count of the drinks they’d had the night before. “Michael…” Teresa called out, pushing open the door to the kid’s room, only to find that he was not there. Then she headed to the bathroom: Michael was perched on the toilet. “What’s up? I’m in the middle of something,” he said.

Teresa nodded and asked, “What do you want for breakfast? How about some gruel?” Michael didn’t respond, so Teresa started cooking the gruel and went to brush her teeth. With a toothbrush in her mouth, she heard the doorbell ring.

Surprised, she paused and rushed to the door to find Jonathan carrying several bags. Her heart skipped a beat, and as soon as she opened the door, she tried to push him back out. “What are you doing? Why are you here again?”

Jonathan looked at her, who had just woken up, and said, “You tell me why I’m here?” “How should I know? You’re my ex, not my husband anymore!” Teresa retorted.

Hearing this, Jonathan scoffed and shoved the bags into her arms. Teresa glanced down to see hash browns, waffles, packaged beef soup, and pancakes. She was stunned, not remembering the phone call from last night and thinking she had dreamed it all. She also found it odd that Jonathan knew exactly what she wanted to eat.

“Who are these for?” Teresa asked, confused. Jonathan replied, “For the dog.” Teresa said, “I don’t have a dog. Take them back.”

Jonathan’s face darkened, and he gritted his teeth. “I went out of my way this morning, across half of Nareigh, to get breakfast for a little dog. That’s the kind of guy I am.” And with that, he left.

Teresa thought it was strange but figured she hadn’t asked him to buy breakfast in the first place. After bringing the breakfast inside and closing the door, she washed her face again. When she came out, she found Michael on the hash browns and sipping the beef soup.

“Mom, this beef soup is really good,” Michael said. “Is it! Let me try,” Teresa replied. Michael scooped a spoonful and brought it to Teresa’s lips. Teresa took a bite of the hash browns from her son’s hand and found it delicious, thinking, This is from Breakfast Nook, right? It tastes the same as always.

“Mom, who bought this breakfast?” Michael asked. “It’s…” Teresa hesitated, recalling Jonathan’s comment about buying it for a dog and thumping her chest dramatically. “Sweetie, we’re acting like dogs here!”

“So what? Dogs are cute,” Michael said, shoveling hash browns into his mouth. Teresa couldn’t help but laugh, thinking, Right, acting like dogs is fine. As long as we’ve got food.

Chapter 48

Stuffed and at ease, Teresa went to her office. Catching sight of Teresa’s tardy entrance, Sherry swiftly steered her to the side. “Girl, you’re late again. The boss was poking around at noon. I covered for you, saying you were in the restroom.”

“Thanks a bunch!” Teresa responded with a smile of gratitude on her face. Sherry offered a nonchalant shrug, followed by a sigh. “Teresa, you’ve missed twenty days this month. Are you nuts? You’re not stressed about your paycheck?”

With a flip of her hand, Teresa dismissed the concern. “It’s all good. I’m quitting by the end of the month.” “What?” Sherry’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“Had enough of the rat race. I’m thinking of starting my own business,” Teresa said firmly. Eagerly, Sherry asked Teresa, “What kind of business? Can you bring me in? I’m so over this gig. How am I supposed to survive on two or three grand a month? After rent and bills, I’m tapped out,”

Teresa looked at Sherry thoughtfully. Sherry was more than just a coworker; she was a friend. She understood Sherry’s struggle—coming from a poor background, staying in Narcigh after college, and chasing dreams of making it big. But decent jobs were scarce in Nareigh, a place where college degrees were a dime a dozen.

“Sherry, have you considered sharing a place? I’m actually looking for a roommate. My spare room is empty; you can pay me five hundred in rent.” “That sounds fantastic!” Sherry exclaimed. “I’m forking almost 1,000 just for rent now. Where do you live!” she asked Teresa. “Rosary Estates, on Riverbuss Road,” Teresa replied.

“I know that place! It’s one of those high-rises, pretty swanky,” Sherry said. “I’m jealous. You roll up in a Porsche every day, not a care in the world about money.” Teresa shook her head and said, “I’m not as well-off as you think. I stress about money, too.”

In the middle of their chat, Sherry’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the caller ID, her expression souring, and she moved away to take the call. Teresa glanced at her phone, spotting a string of missed calls and one connected call that morning, all from Jonathan. She felt like she’d just snapped out of a daze and dropped her head onto her desk.

I must be crazy! I had Jonathan buy breakfast for me, thinking it was a dream. I’m in deep water. I even called him honey, Teresa thought, her face burning with embarrassment.