Page 70 of Revival
"Women are liars. My mother lied to me, Bailey lied to me, and you. You and all your trust talk and me being honest with you. You expect honesty from me, but then I find out you betrayed me in the worst way possible."
"I really don't know what you're talking about. Maybe we should talk about this after you sober up. Let me go get you some water," I say, attempting to diffuse a situation in which I have not a clue what he's talking about.
"Tell me who you fucked!" He yells as I step into the kitchen to grab him some water.
"Excuse me?"
"Tell me, Andrea! Who did you have a one-night stand with? Don't fucking lie to me. I saw it crossed off on your stupid list. Is that where you’ve been all day? Fucking some random guy?"
"Did you go into my purse?" I question.
"I knocked it over, and shit fell all over the place. The list was there. So, I looked. Sue me,” he slurs. “Was it Carlos? Or just some random dude for a checkmark on your list?"
"Fuck. You. Daniel." Tears of hurt and anger burn my eyes. I throw the bottle of water at his head, missing by only inches.
"Truth hurts, doesn't it?" His eyes are dark and cold. And unfocused. He turns his body and slams the door closed with his foot.
I know I told Daniel I wasn't going anywhere, but I also refuse to be anyone's punching bag. Without giving him the satisfaction of a reaction, I pack up my things, grab my purse and make the two-block walk to my R.V.
Laying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my mother's warning runs on a continuous loop in my head. I should have listened. This trip has been nothing but one disaster after the next.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. Suspecting it's Daniel, I don't even want to look at it, but having two kids means I always will.
Mads:Mason said you helped him unpack. I'm jealous.
Me:I can be there in two hours. LOL
Mads:I thought you were with your man tonight. That's what Mas said.
Me:Things change. I'll be there in two hours.
Mads:Try more like four with this crazy traffic.
Me:It can't be that bad.
Three and a half hours later, my only daughter relishes in one of the few times she's actually been correct. "Mom! I'm so happy you're here! What do you think?" She twirls around in the living room of the empty condo her father and I are renting for her.
"I think you're the luckiest teenage girl I know, getting to live in La Jolla with her three best friends. When do your friends move in?"
"The twins will be here next week, and Amber will be here a week after that," she explains.
"This is going to be such an experience for you. Don't mess it up," I tease.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Madison tries to look innocent.
"You know exactly what it means, young lady. We never did discuss Denver."
"No, we didn't, but I think I have been punished enough." Her face scrunches with disgust like it used to when we'd feed her peas. "Aunt Lindsay told me everything. He really couldn't get it up?"
I gasp, my eyes widening. Having an adult daughter is new territory for me. Having this type of conversation with said daughter is especially new. But, if Lindsay already spilled my secrets, there’s no sense in lying about it. "Nope. It was like a dead snake.” We both laugh, but then I school my expression into seriousness. “But that's not the point, Madi. You shouldn't have been drinking. Speaking of drinking, have you unpacked any glasses? I really need a glass of wine." I laugh.
"To the left of the fridge. I know, and I learned my lesson. I really did. It ruined my night. Mason and Petra were super pissed. I embarrassed Aunt Lindsay and her boyfriend's band. And I disappointed you."
"Sounds like you've thought a lot about this. Lesson learned. But I want the fake I.D., and I won't share this incident with your father."
"Deal! But something good did come of all this, though." Her smile makes me giggle. "You and Daniel."
I finish my first glass of wine and quickly pour myself another. "Yeah, well, that's a complicated situation."