There was silence.
Then Diane suggested another solution.
“I’ll continue to look after Noah if you let me stay,” she said. “Just like before. You won’t need daycare.”
I looked at the cost next to the apartment ad, remembering Noah’s disappointment with their zoo.
Mark hesitated.
I almost expected him to ask me to reconsider my decision, but I refrained from interrupting.
Finally he looked into my eyes, then turned to face his mother.
“No, Mom. We agreed on early shifts. I’ll pick you up.”
“You’re spending all this money because he can’t share a kitchen? I rented an apartment because you told me to!”
“I know,” he said. “That’s why I’m helping with the apartment. That doesn’t make Claire responsible for what I promised.”
Diane looked at me angrily.
“And you have nothing to say?”
“I wish you and Noah would continue spending time together. I don’t want us to live together anymore.”
