- The Time Has Come
- The Time Has Come
Michelle
“That’s all. Now we just need Ryan’s lawyer to send the documents evaluating the requests so they can be called to mediation. If it continues, we’d just wait for the trial date, and that would be it.”
I chuckle to myself, hearing in a few lines how my marriage is going to end. I sigh, and my cousin watches me closely.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” I ask to encourage him to speak, but he just shakes his head.
“Actually, I just wanted to know if you’re really sure about not fighting for your daughter. They agreed that you can see her on weekends; we just need to agree on the place.”
I nod quietly. The fact that Ryan agreed to this is the least he could do after making everything so easy for him. However,
it hurts that Candace doesn’t want to see me for now. I sent her a message, and she didn’t respond. My daughter has always been a bit difficult.
“And what will you do for now?”
“I’m going to focus on my work. It’s the only thing I have,” I reply firmly. And don’t you dare look at me with pity.
My cousin bursts out laughing, and it ends up being contagious. Recently, my mother spoke to me, worried about me. Apparently, not being seen crying and defeated is considered a bad thing. But the fact that my heart bleeds with sadness doesn’t mean I should go around spreading my pain.
“And speaking of that, it’s time for me to go. I used my lunch break, but I need to get back.”
I stood up and grab my bag. I say goodbye to Elvis, but just as I cross the door, the sound of an incoming call stops me. I
take out my phone, and the name on the screen causes me slight unease. Several days have passed, and I haven’t had the courage to go to Ryan’s parents’ house to inform them. And I highly doubt he’s done it. He’s a bit… of a coward.
“Hello?”
A cheerful voice answers at the other end.
*Michelle, dear. How are you? I’ve asked Ryan about you, but he tells me you’ve been very busy. I don’t know if he
mentioned that I’ve been unwell.”
I smile when I hear my ex-mother-in-law’s voice. She’s always been a kind person, and yet I left her aside because of the
problems with her son.
“No, he didn’t say anything. But if you don’t mind, I can come to see you.”
I said goodbye and call work to ask for the afternoon off. As I drive, I wonder how I’m going to tell her about the
separation.
It’s incredible how, when you divorce, you don’t realize all that it entails. You don’t just leave your husband or wife, but you also affect the children, the parents, the siblings, and the family in general. In my case, I was lucky that Ryan’s mother accepted me wholeheartedly. But I imagine now it will be his new daughter-in-law who will occupy that place in her affection.
I sigh as I see how everything is taking a strange turn. On the way, I pick up some things she likes and some flowers.
When she felt better and visited me, she used to bring me a lovely bouquet of my favorite flowers. Unlike Ryan, who, on the few occasions he did, chose a bouquet at random. I guess learning the favorite flowers of two women must be quite a
1/4
challenge for that birdbrain. I smile at the thought of his new nickname. It’s my little revenge.
I arrive at the beautiful Allen family home and thousands of memories come rushing back. From visiting just after I got married, to during my pregnancy, to when my Candace played on the swing my father-in-law set up for her, and many
other occasions.
I’m still in the car. I let out a sigh and get out with the gifts.
I don’t even have to knock before the housekeeper opens the door for me.
“Mrs. Michelle, welcome. Please, come this way.” I walk through the enormous corridor with its polished and shiny floor. When I was younger, I used to slide across it when no one was watching.
“Dear, you made it!” I can see she looks a bit unwell. She greets me with a warm smile, though her eyes betray a hint of fatigue.
I enter with a lump in my throat, wondering if this will be the last time I see her like this. I sit on the sofa and hand her the flowers. She smiles nostalgically.
“Always so thoughtful. Thank you, Michelle.”
We sat down to chat, and for a moment, we forget the reason for my visit. We talk about trivial things, her health, and shared memories. But inevitably, the moment comes when I must tell her the truth. I clear my throat and fidget nervously with my hands.
“Mrs. Allen, there’s something I need to tell you…”
Her eyes watch me with a mix of sweetness and concern. I can’t help but wonder how she’ll react.
“Tell me, dear. Whatever it is, I’m here.”
I take a deep breath and gather my courage. Reality is about to descend upon us, and I only hope our relationship doesn’t break under it.
“Mom.” Ryan’s voice interrupts my confession. She turns to look at him, and her face lights up.
“Son! You made it. I’m so glad to have you both here.”
I saw Ryan smile sheepishly and barely look at me.
“Didn’t you bring my granddaughter?”
“No, she had skating practice. But I promise to bring her over the weekend.”
The lady doesn’t seem to notice anything strange. At one point, Ryan signals to me with his eyes, and I got up to go to the hallway.
“Is something wrong?”
“Yes… I wanted to ask you not to tell my mother just yet. She’s been unwell.”
I don’t respond, but on the other hand, I understand he doesn’t want to upset his mother, yet on the other, I can’t stop thinking about how easily he falls into lying.
“I can’t promise anything, but please tell her as soon as you can. And by the way, I have to go.”
I start to walk back to the living room, but before I get far, he grabs my arm. I stop and lower my gaze, and by reflex, he quickly lets go.
“Thank you, Michelle.”
I shake it off, and he finally lets me go.
2/4
24: The Time Has Come
Points
“I’m not doing this for you, but for her. She’s been like another mother to me, and my daughter adores her.” I smile at him sarcastically, and what I say next leaves him speechless. “Let’s pretend to be a married couple one last time.”
After saying that, I now walk back to the lady, ready to keep up the charade a little longer.
When I leave, I head straight to my apartment. It’s become my refuge and my sanctuary.
Just then, I got a message from Dylan.
“Everything okay?”
It’s short and to the point, but with enough concern implied.
“Yes, everything’s good”
Then a call comes in, and it’s him again.
“Dylan?” He gives a slight chuckle.
“Yes, it’s me. I was wondering if, since you’re not working and if you’re not too busy, you could join Susy and me to check
out the skating academy.”
I waited a bit to respond, but in the end, I agree.
“Sure, come pick me up.” He shouts with excitement, and twenty minutes later, they’re waiting for me downstairs.
“Michez!” My new little friend greets me, throwing herself into my arms.
“Hey, sweetie. Great to see you.”
*Do you live here?”
“That’s right, I live here. Next time you come over, I’ll invite you for a nice snack.” The girl beams with excitement, and
when I look up, her dad is watching us with a curious gleam in his eyes.
“And this is the information, Mr. and Mrs. Morrison.”
I hear them refer to me by Dylan’s last name. I think they assume he’s my husband. I’m about to correct them, but then he
takes my hand firmly and gives it a gentle squeeze.
“Thanks a lot, I’ll go over it with my wife,” he responds naturally, winking at me.
Susy, excited, also winks at me, as if she’s in on the joke.
“Alright. Professor Molly will guide you to the rink. Right now, there’s a class for girls in her category.”
We get up and, after a quick goodbye, follow the young woman. However, upon arrival, we are met with bad news.
“Come on, girls! A little more effort!” exclaims an authoritative voice on the rink.
“She is Professor Blake Sullivan,” Molly informs us.
My stomach turns at the sound of that name. There she is, right in the center of the rink, the homewrecker. She’s focused on the class, oblivious to us. Among the group of girls, I spot my daughter.
The tense moment breaks when someone calls her, and as she turns, she sees us. She gives us a mocking smile as she
walks over.
“Here for some info?” she asks disdainfully, with her arms crossed. She gives us an arrogant once-over.
3/4
(24 The Time Has Come
“Well, well. You came to the right place. We don’t train losers here.”
Dylan clenches his jaw, clearly upset. Susy, on the other hand, lowers her gaze, frightened.
I take a deep breath. I won’t let her see us falter.
“No, sweetheart,” I say firmly. “Training my daughter is enough. I wouldn’t trust Susy with you. Let’s go, there’s got to be somewhere else.”
Without waiting for a response, I took the girl’s hand, and we left with Blake’s negative energy weighing on us.
The drive home is silent. Susy looks downcast, her eyes fixed on her clasped hands. Meanwhile, Dylan drives with a furrowed brow, deep in thought.
Finally, he breaks the silence:
“I think we should wait to find another place. If we have to give up the spot for the regionals, we can wait.”
Something in his words stirs my soul. I know it’s the sensible thing to do, but something inside me resists.
I looked at Susy. I see the disappointment on her face, the desire to fight, the dream hanging by a thread. And then, before
reason silences me, I hear myself say:
“No.”
Dylan looked at me, surprised.
“I have the basics, the experience, and the knowledge. If she can train them, so can I.”
The words hang in the air, filling the space with a mix of determination and excitement.
Susy’s eyes light up with a disarming emotion. In an instant, she leaps into my arms with infectious joy.
“Thank you, Michez! Thanks a lot!”
Dylan smiles, his face softens, and a genuine emotion shines in his eyes.
Yes, Michelle. The time has come.
Help this little girl achieve her dream. Don’t let anyone cut it short, like they did with yours.
