Kaden hadn't been home for half a month. He'd been staying at the office or elsewhere, never coming back. Seeing me in such a state, my friend Rebecca Johnson dragged me away on a trip.
We booked tickets to visit a friend's orchard. It was huge and filled with pear trees. I climbed up and picked a bunch of fruit, following Rebecca's lead.
In the car, Rebecca glanced at me. "Are these for Kaden?"
I stayed silent, afraid of her reaction.
When we got back to Oakland, I went to Kaden's office.
Standing outside the building, I called him. "I went to a friend's orchard a few days ago. They had a lot of sand pear trees, and I picked a bunch. I thought you might like to try them. The staff said you haven't been home lately and are probably busy, so I won't come up. I'll have the receptionist send them up. Come home when you're done."
I added softly, "Don't you miss me?"
I knew Kaden was more responsive to a softer approach, and I admit I was trying to butter him up.
His assistant, Zach Stone, told me that Kaden and his female secretary were nothing more than a show—Kaden was just trying to get under my skin.