Tell Her Good Luck

About thirty minutes after I got home, Jack showed up.The kid was at Jenny's—she offered to babysit so we could "talk."We sat on the couch, quiet.Ten minutes in, Jack finally said, "Since you saw everything... let's just get a divorce."I stared out the window."It's not Jenny's fault. It's on me."Still defending her. Unreal.I didn't say a word. Just rubbed my hands—calloused, cracked, frostbitten. Years of driving had wrecked them.They looked like dried-up radishes.Not like Jenny's perfect little porcelain hands.No wonder Jack wouldn't let her touch a dish."You even listening?" he snapped. "Let's divorce. You keep the house. We split savings. Kid chooses who to stay with."I looked at him, dead serious."The house still has a mortgage. Savings are crap. If I take it, you'll still come sniffing for more. And Willy? He's clearly on your team. Same old Jack—cheap as ever. Lemme guess, Jenny helped you rehearse this?"Jack ignored the jab. Just kept rambling."Yeah

I opened the door and tossed Jack's packed crap onto the doorstep.His face twisted as he rushed over. "What are you doing? Can you not? It's not even your stuff.""Oh, please. Like anyone's fighting over this JUNK."Jenny went pale, then red. Part from what I said, part from her makeup melting off after dinner.They looked like they'd just gone out celebrating—faces shiny from some greasy feast.Jack never had spending money, so I figured Jenny picked up the tab. Credit where it's due—charity work's tough.Jack slipped inside to grab the rest. Jenny took the kids next door.A couple minutes later, she came back—alone—walking straight toward me with that smug little smirk, like she'd just scored the grand prize.She reached for my hand and purred, "Ruth, thanks for taking care of Jack all these years. I promise I'll treat him and Willy well from now on.""No need to thank me. Life was hard, not the work. But now that you've taken over, I'm finally free. I should be thanking yo

Gloria leaned against the cabinet, kicked off her shoes, and went full drama."Jenny's such a sweet girl, taking care of Jack and even letting us stay here." She threw me a look like I was some shameful footnote.Matthew chimed in, "Jack wants a divorce. We were against it at first, but we've come around. If they're better suited, then stepping aside makes you the bigger person, right? Heh... pfft!"Then he casually spit into the living room trash can.I slid it away. "Matthew, next time hit the bathroom, yeah? That's disgusting."He glared. "This is our family's property. I'll do whatever I want!"Gloria jumped in, voice like nails on a chalkboard. "Yeah! If Jack wasn't so soft-hearted, you'd be long gone! Try being grateful!"I calmly slipped on gloves, tied the trash bag, and dropped it by the door."Sure. Divorce papers are ready. If you two cover what Jack still owes me, I'll move out today."Silence. They exchanged a glance and backed off.Gloria shuffled into the kitch

Jack took one look at me in my bathrobe and turned away in disgust. "Enough. Let's keep this dignified."I rolled my eyes so hard I saw my brain. Slammed the door on that holier-than-thou nonsense.George—my trainer turned fake hookup—was chilling on the floor, having heard it all. Looked up at me, all sympathy."What'd you ever see in that man? He's useless. Like, Olympic-level useless."I let out a dry laugh. "Yeah... not even in your boyfriend's league."George smirked. "Obviously. I only date handpicked premium."I pulled on some clothes, laid out a mat. "We'll rough it tonight. Sneak out before the circus wakes up. And seriously, thank you. Next session's on me."George flashed a grin. "Part of the gig. But if I'm ever short on clients? You're on speed dial."I gave him a tired smile, and with their yelling still echoing down the hall, I finally passed out.***Early the next morning, once George dipped, I bounced too.Didn't have much to pack—was out before Jack's fami

"Right here, guys! This is where the bride and groom started throwing hands. Drop a [1] if you want me to keep filming—"Some girl nearly swung her phone in my face. I ducked past and slipped inside.Willy's sobbing hit me the second I walked in.Gloria was clutching him like he was a time bomb, her face lighting up when she saw me.She shot up from her seat."Finally! Take him, now—we'll pick him up later."She shoved him into my arms so fast I nearly lost my balance.Willy cried harder.Jack rushed over. "Mom, chill!"Gloria huffed and backed off.Jack turned to me. "Let him stay with you for a few days. Take him to school, too."I nodded and headed out with Willy. Needed to get away from that mess.But of course, Jenny wasn't done.Makeup streaked down her face, she shoved her mom aside and screamed."This is all your fault, you witch! I raised your kid! I paid for this damn wedding! What am I, a joke to you?"She charged like she wanted a fight.Jack tried to stop h