That day, he'd left me at home alone, emotionally unstable, so he could accompany Vera to a variety show taping. He'd even taken every housekeeper with him because Vera had low blood sugar, positioning them all on standby to attend to her at a moment's notice.
It was my mother who'd been worried enough to come check on me. She was the one who found me after the fall.
All I remembered was her wrapping me in this coat through the haze of fading consciousness. "My sweet girl! How could you do something so foolish!"
"Open your eyes! Look at what Mama bought you for your birthday!"
"You still have your mother!"
"Silly girl, I told you so many times not to choose Wyatt Simmons..."
"Wake up, baby. You're all Mama has left..."
Later, after the divorce, my mother was so furious she went to confront him and demand answers.
She stepped out the door and was hit by a car. She never came back.
Wyatt seemed to snap out of a memory. He exhaled slowly.
He looked almost guilty as he changed the subject. "Mildred, Vera meant well."
"So—where are you working now?"
"If you don't mind, my company could—"