He walked away. Alice shoved down her guilt and returned to her digital spring cleaning. The only positive thing about being told her body was useless was how it put Tim’s betrayal into perspective. Although she hadn’t deliberately planned to ghost him, she’d been so shattered by Lacey’s shocking news, she’d lacked the emotional energy to do anything, let alone verbally abuse him or track down his wife.

At first his texts had been romantic, counting down the minutes until they met. Then worried, then angry. She didn’t care and as each one had hit her phone, she’d deleted them, just like she’d cut off his calls. The deleting now extended to all his texts, emails, photos and the treasured poem he’d written her earlier in the year. She’d turned up the volume on her computer, taking pleasure in the loud scrunching noise as it all disappeared into the virtual trash.

Her four dating apps faded as her phone did an update, prompting Alice to question their place on her device. Her approach to dating had been all about finding The One—the father of her children. A sob clogged her throat. No point now. She set about trying to delete the apps, but in the end, after being asked so many times if she was absolutely certain, it was easier to switch them to offline. When the apps asked why, she chose the ridiculous option of I’m prioritizing me, when really, she wanted there to be an option of Men on dating apps are lying pricks.

An hour later she was officially off the dating scene. It felt—she’d hoped for great, freeing, redemptive, wonderful. All she felt was empty.

For only the second time outside of their standard Thursday arrangement, she texted Dan.

Fancy a spur of the moment benefit? Like right now?

Aw, Twin Two! Lousy timing. Relief teaching then training. Tonight?

Tonight was hours away. Alice needed something right now. Anything to stop this awful nothingness churning inside her.

Harry’s open-ended invitation popped into her mind. If anyone could take her mind off her own misery, it was Hunter. Just keeping up with the kid’s rapid thought processes blocked all thoughts of her own and today that sounded damn near perfect.

She started texting then stopped. Harry didn’t text. He either emailed well in advance or he called. She brought up his number and hit the phone icon.

“Alice!”

“Hi, Harry. Does today work for Holly’s wildflower drawing class and Hunter’s fire?”

Five minutes later, she was heading out the door to the butcher.

According to Harry, Brutus responded to modulated tones so, despite feeling ridiculous, Alice walked into the Waxmans’ back yard attempting to emulate the TV weather woman.

“There’s a slight chance of precipitation this evening, Brutus, clearing overnight for a fine and mild spring day.”