Relentless: Three Novels Read Free Page B

right?” Elizabeth laughed.
    “Let me guess. Tori told you that, right?”
    “Yep, she told me not to be surprised if your house needs an exorcist.”
    “ She needs an exorcist,” I said, a little too meanly, but we both broke out into laughter. I felt very catty after I said it and wished I could take it back.
    “I can’t believe you put up living with Tori for six months. I would have killed her.”
    “I almost did. Well, not really. We just screamed at each other. I couldn’t take Matt bullying Trenton. And Matt is older, bigger, and has no self-discipline. We were all cooped up in this small apartment. Things were bound to take a turn for the worse.”
    “Oh, wow, he was bullying Trenton? Poor little guy.”
    “Yeah, I told Tori a few times about his behavior, but she just brushed it off. We had several blow-ups about it.”
    “Surprise, surprise.”
    “I know. Right? But Tori did help us and our new cottage is very cute. The landlord even gave us some furniture and he’s really helpful. Ray came over today to see if anything needed fixing or any furniture needed to be rearranged.”
    “That was nice of him. Maybe Missy and I will stop by this week.” She paused. “Are you interested in Ray?”
    “Bite your tongue, girlfriend! I just got a divorce! It’s just me and my little man. Besides, you know how jealous my ex can get. I don’t want any trouble and I won’t have Trenton lying for me if I want to see someone. At this point in time, it’s just best to not start anything with anyone.”
    “Nonsense. You are so young to just cut yourself off from men.”
    “I am single and I plan to stay that way! No relationships!”
    “Woohoo! That just means more men for me,” Elizabeth said.
    “You’re so bad,” I said, laughing. “Come over and bring Missy but leave my landlord alone.”
    “Is he cute?”
    “Shut up!” I said. “He’s handsome.”
    “Aha! I knew it.” Liz was so funny.
    “But yeah. That would be great if you two came over. Trenton would love to play with her. I think he is extra lonely at the new place. He’s starting to make up imaginary friends again.”
    “Missy does that, too. It always happened though after she watches the DVD movie of Drop Dead Fred .”
    I laughed. “I don’t think Trenton’s seen that one. As dumb as it was, I know I loved it as a kid.”
    “It’s on all the time at my house. It’s Missy’s favorite now.”
    “Why don’t you and Missy come over for dinner Wednesday night?”
    “Yeah, we can do that.”
    “Great.”
    “Mom, Mom!” Trenton ran into the kitchen. “Matt’s opening his presents. Come watch. I want to see if he likes our present.” In a stage whisper, he said to Elizabeth, “We got him a Wii game at the dollar store!”
    “Shhh!” I said to Trenton and laughed. “Okay, be right there, Trenton. I’ll talk to you later, Elizabeth.”
    “See you on Wednesday at your place. I’ll bring the dessert.”
    “Oh, thanks, what are you making?”
    “Cake pops?”
    “You rule, girlfriend.”
     
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
     
    Monday morning came before I knew it, and I was back at work. I didn’t have too many complaints. I loved my teaching job. My fifth graders were awesome and we were mostly in synch as a class. The kids knew what I expected, and I knew what to expect from them. Teaching this age was what I had wanted to do since I could remember. Sometimes it was challenging, but in a good way. This week’s big challenge was a long-division game with little prizes and team competition.
    It was also nice having my son go to the same school where I taught. He was only in kindergarten and went to school for a half day. So, in the mornings I would drop off Trenton at his babysitter’s house and she would take him to afternoon kindergarten at 11:30 a.m. That worked out great because we could go home together three days a week and we would tell each other about our days.
    We lived a simple life for the most part, just me and