fucking transition.”
“You are being unreasonable. We are divorced.”
“You think I should make it easy for you?”
Hells yeahs. “Yes, I do.”
“Never, not in this lifetime. I will never make life easy for your new slutty fat wife.”
“For our kids, you are their mother and you should care about their well-being.”
“I care about my kids. Don’t say that I don’t care.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You implied it, you selfish fucker.”
“No, Tess please, just listen to me and think, be rational. Let’s do what’s best for them.” I had a convenient threat up my sleeve. I didn’t want to use it but this seemed to be the opportune time to throw it out in the air. “Tess I think it would be in your best interest to embrace this situation.”
Tess answered with flipping me the bird. Is she for real? Did she just give me the middle finger like we are in middle school?
“Listen Tess, my new wifey has anger management problems. If you call her a whore, a slut whatever, she will attack you physically, probably when I’m not around. She fights dirty.” Don’t get your ass handed to you.
“And this is the woman you married, a woman that would physically attack me?”
Did Tess forget the altercation in the hotel parking lot? She was the one that was all hot for a fight with Kari. She was the one cruisin’ for a bruisin ’. Kari once told me her family has bail money. If she ever got locked up they would get her out. Now that I am Kari’s family I would have to bail her out. Going to jail for beating someone up is not something Kari wants to do. But she made it clear that it could happen if Tess gets out of line. “Tess, Kari wants to kick your ass.” Kari never said that but a little fib to bring my point across is acceptable.
“Of course it could happen. She’s a fucking animal with no morals.”
“Tess give it a rest. Whatever Kari is, I love her. I married her. Deal with it.”
“I don’t have to deal with it.” She mimicked my bravado and nonchalance.
“The kids need to see you, me, and Kari getting along.”
“Fuck you, never.”
“Tess, you need to move on. Stop acting like a spoiled bitter ex.”
“It’s so easy for you to say that. I have three kids. What am I supposed to do Mason? Am I going to watch our kids while you go out on dates?”
“I don’t go out on dates. I’m married; every minute of every day with Kari is a date. I’m happy now. I love Kari.” Shit! That stung. Fuck it. She deserved that one.
“You just couldn’t pry yourself away from your black whore.”
“She’s my wife.” I stood up from my chair and quickly closed the small gap between us. “I will not stand here and listen to you talk shit about my wife. The next time you call my wife anything other than her name you will regret it.” My glare was fierce more fierce than I needed but I meant it. I was tired of the ridiculous and childish behavior that was Tess’ go-to code of conduct.
Tess had a routine that pissed me off. She always tired to come across as innocuous but in reality she was a manipulative coward that used her fear as a crutch. How I spent so many years with such a weak woman is a mystery. Kari has my back. If I lost everything I have Kari is the kind of woman that would not fall apart. She would stick by me in sickness and in health. Tess is sick herself. Kari is a survivor. Kari is dependable not a grown up dependent. This meeting with Tess had made it clear that I have made all the right decisions. I love Kari. No matter what the doctor says tomorrow I am going to put on a brave face for my true love.
There wasn’t much more to say to Tess. I had to leave before we woke the kids or either I choked her to death. Either one of those things were bound to happen if I stayed a minute more in her bony frail presence. There was no need to mention Kari’s possible pregnancy. I could save that little scrap of info for another time. I still don’t know or understand