Housewife Gone Wild

Melissa froze for a second, and then her eyes lit up. She clinked her glass against mine, tears still shimmering. “To new beginnings. And may everything go your way.”

I smiled from the bottom of my heart.

While we were eating, a waiter showed up with three fancy–looking dishes.

Melissa blinked. “I didn’t order these. Must be a mix–up?”

The waiter smiled, “Compliments of Mr. Holcomb. Your bill’s taken care of.”

Melissa’s head snapped to me. “Jared sent these?”

I took a bite. “Not bad. Let’s eat–no sense wasting good food.”

Melissa laughed awkwardly. “One of these probably costs more than my entire meal.”

over dishes. Maybe he felt guilty and was trying to make up for things with cash? That was just like him–seeming thoughtful, but cold at his

confused by my calm. She leaned in, her voice serious. “Yvonne was so cozy with that woman. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she’s her kid. Doesn’t that make you

watched me hover

get a paper cut.

had enough breast milk. I’d call lactation experts every day, let them prod and poke until my skin was raw, and still nothing. I had cried through that whole first month, holding Yvonne, feeling like I was

thought having my “precious little girl”

my head. “Maybe once. Not anymore. She’s six–old enough to understand right and wrong. Kids aren’t puppets I can control forever. Someday she’ll find her own path. If

stared at me, looking stunned. She let out a soft sigh. “Wow, Victoria. You’re totally different now. If it weren’t for your

we’ve known each other since high school, stuck together through college, and now we’re living in the

my friend, and that’s not

the bill. She looked at me and shrugged. “I was supposed to treat you, but your husband beat me

and nodded.

both had a few drinks, driving was out of the question. Melissa stood at the edge of the sidewalk, trying