And then I realize: That’s a graduation check from David’s parents, I just know it. She’s made a mistake and deposited it where I can see it.

She’s become too confident. She is so relieved tomorrow is here, I could sense it as we spoke in the courtyard. She’s leaving me, just like David. David is moving in with Kylie while Betsy and Bo will go “camping” in the early morning after her graduation party.

So romantic, don’t you think? But it also seems like she’s running from something, doesn’t it? Heading for the border before Detective Alan catches up with her, perhaps? It’s not like I didn’t suspect her, but now I know for sure.

She’s just lucky I’m saving her from this awful life on the run that she thinks she wants.

I take a big gulp of my wine. There are some things and people I cannot control, of course. And exact timing is out of my hands tomorrow except for the graduation ceremony, which begins promptly at 4:30 p.m. I cannot neutralize my in-laws, not completely. While they have been marginalized, I cannot prevent them from coming to the graduation ceremony, and obviously, I can’t stop them from giving Betsy this great big check. All I can do is freeze her funds. It’s for her safety, really.

I hear the garage door opening. My man is home. How wonderful.

I’ve kept the lights on tonight, so he can see me, hear me, right away. He walks into the courtyard and heads toward me, toward the front door. He looks inside and spots me on the couch. I see his shoulders tense, but he has to finish. He must come home one last evening. He steels himself and pushes through the door.

His hair is wet from the shower. His tie and suit jacket are not with him. He must have left them at his new home. He’s so careless because he thinks he’s almost free of me. If he was a whistler, he’d be whistling. The word I’d use to describe him this moment is smug. Smug, satisfied and superior. Three words. Sue me.

“Good evening, Jane. Excited for graduation tomorrow?” He sets his briefcase on the floor by the front door as if preparing for a quick escape.

Not so fast, dear. “I’m wonderful. And yes, it will be a great day tomorrow. Betsy has been so busy. I’m sure all of her hard work will be rewarded. I hope you’ve eaten.”

“Yes, I did earlier. So I think I’ll just turn in. Big day tomorrow.”