I waited until we left the office. I gripped Alex’s arm, bringing him to a stop. “Alex, you can’t pay that kind of money for me. I just won’t allow it.”
“It’s not me paying Chaz, it’s my insurance. You’re covered and so will Kayden once I update my information.”
I frowned. “I don’t understand. I didn’t think insurance companies covered ex-wives?”
“They don’t but you’re not my ex-wife. I never signed the divorce papers,” he said.
My insides turned to water. We were still married?
“Let’s go,” he said, taking my hand. “It’s lunch time. Let’s go have lunch and celebrate. I know of a nice restaurant not far from here.”
As the shock wore off, I looked at Alex with new eyes. He was still my husband! I wanted to pinch him to make sure that everything was real and that I wasn’t dreaming.
At the back of my mind, I’d always worried in case some medical emergency came up and Kayden needed to be hospitalized. Insurance had been on my list of goals for the year. I wanted to cry with the relief of knowing that whatever happened, Kayden would be taken care off.
And me too. I knew I didn’t deserve any of it. Overcome by emotion and unable to control myself, I broke down in the car. Loud, noisy sobs wracked my body. Alex snapped open my seatbelt and his arm went around me, pulling me close. I lay my head on his shoulder as my body shook uncontrollably.
“It’s okay Chaz. Everything will be fine,” he said.
“I feel like a real adult,” I said to Alex as I sipped a glass of chilled water and reveled in the buzz of muted conversation around us at the restaurant.
“You don’t need to have lunch in a restaurant to feel like an adult. You’re an adult every day, being Kayden’s mom and going to work to provide for him.”
Warmth flowed through me. “You say the nicest things Alex. You always did.”
“That’s because they’re true,” he said. “How do you feel about the treatment?"
"I can't wait,” I said. “I feel as if I’m about to have a new beginning. None of this would have happened without you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he said and then a twinkle came into his eye. “You almost collapsed when I told you that I never signed the divorce papers. I’m hoping that it was good news?”
Shyness came over me. I smiled to cover it up. “Definitely good news.” Everything was too new for me to question it. I didn’t know whether Alex wanted to remain married or we would divorce after my treatment.
It was crazy to imagine that all along, he and I had been married.
The waiter brought our food and I made appreciative noises as the smell of roasted chicken and potatoes wafted up my nose.
“You always did love your food,” Alex teased then the waiter withdrew.
“Me and you both,” I quipped, feeling carefree and young. For the last two years, weighed down by the need to survive and provide for my baby son, I’d always felt ten years older.
It felt good to be my age again. To laugh and to enjoy a meal in a classy restaurant.
“You spoilt me when we were living together,” he said. “I don’t remember ever cooking,” he said.
I laughed. “I’m glad I did because now you do most of the cooking.”
We shared a fond look as we remembered the past. This time without pain. My phone shrilled from the handbag hanging on the chair. I reached for it and looked at the huge name across the screen. Mrs. Horace.
I’d had the settings on my cell phone changed to make everything on the screen extra-large.
“I have to get this one,” I said to Alex and swiped to answer. “Hi Mrs. Horace.”
Her time with her son and daughter-in-law was almost up and she was probably calling to arrange to have her house cleaned up. Dust gathered quickly in our part of the world.
We exchanged pleasantries but mostly she wanted to know about Kayden.
“I miss that sweet boy and I’m sad I won’t get to see him start school,” she said.
I went still. “Why is that?” A sinking feeling came over my belly.
“I’m moving here permanently Charlotte, that’s why I’m calling you. My son and his family need me and they’ve built the sweetest cottage for me by their property.”
“Oh.” I didn’t know what to say.
“I’m so sorry, I know how much you need me,” she continued.
That snapped me out of my shock. “Don’t worry about it. They’re family and you have to do the right thing by them. Kayden and I will be fine. Don’t worry.”
She cleared her throat. “There’s something else. We decided to sell the property. My son is actually down in Woodfield to see to it. I feel terrible but maybe the person who buys it will want to continue renting out the barn to you?”