He chose not to answer that question. If he just wanted to be her friend, to provide a shoulder she could cry on, she didn’t need to know he was a felon. You should definitely NOT call Axel.

No question? Your answer is an unequivocal no?

It’s an unequivocal no. That’s why I put the emphasis on not. ;-)

Explain to me why. I think that’s what I need to hear.

You had to ask me, didn’t you? That means you’re fighting the urge, and if you’re fighting the urge it’s because you know better.

I just miss him so much…

Go spend some time with your kids and quit thinking about him. He’ll either come back or he won’t. Leave that up to him.

I’m pretty sure he’s not coming back. The divorce will be final in two days. And he doesn’t act like he cares at all.

Then it’s his loss, Harper. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. You’ll eventually recover and be just fine without him.

It doesn’t feel like that’s possible. Anyway, I can’t spend time with my kids right now. They’re in LA with my sister and her family.

Until when?

Next weekend.

So you’re alone?

For the entire week.

You could get yourself into a lot of trouble in that much time. Why didn’t you go with them?

I thought I wanted to be alone. I thought I needed some time to think. So did my sister.

But it’s not helping?

This is only Day 1, and already I’m going crazy, teetering on the brink of caving and begging him to come back.

Tell me you’re not drinking.

What does that have to do with anything?

If you’re drinking, you will cave.

I’m not drinking. Although…I’m considering it. It would be a relief to climb inside a bottle. I don’t want to feel this way anymore.

Then consider this: the only thing worse than breaking down and calling him when you know you shouldn’t would be drunk calling him. And when you sober up? You’ll just have to face what you did while you were drunk.

You’re right. So…how do I stop myself?

He stared at her text for several seconds while considering his response. Get your mind on something else.

That’s impossible. Have you ever been through a divorce?

No. Never been married.

Why not?

Because he’d been a kid when he went into prison, and he’d only been out for five months. Just haven’t found the right girl, I guess.

What about your folks? Did they stay together?

They never got together.

Who raised you?

My mother. Sort of. I’m not sure you could call it “raising.” My brother and I more or less raised ourselves.