Chapter 18 - THE TWO MOTHERS
Three months after the baptism, Jennifer met Chloe in a quiet coffee shop.
It was Chloe who requested the meeting.
Jennifer almost refused.
Then she agreed for one reason.
The children.
Jacob and Lily were half-siblings.
Whatever happened between the adults would eventually become part of their lives.
Chloe arrived early.
She looked different.
No designer coat.
No careful makeup.
Just jeans, a sweater, and exhaustion.
Jacob slept in his stroller.
Jennifer sat across from her.
For several seconds, neither woman spoke.
Then Chloe said.
“I’m sorry.”
Jennifer looked at her.
“I know you don’t owe me forgiveness.”
“You’re right.”
Chloe nodded.
“I knew Daniel was married.”
Jennifer appreciated the directness.
“He told me it was over.”
“But I knew he was still living with you.”
“I knew you were pregnant.”
“I told myself I believed him because believing him made what I was doing easier.”
Jennifer listened.
Chloe continued.
“I’m not going to pretend I was innocent.”
“Good.”
“But I didn’t know about the money.”
“I didn’t know he was taking from you.”
“I didn’t know about the foundation.”
“I didn’t know he was planning everything around May.”
Jennifer looked toward Jacob.
“Do you still love him?”
Chloe was quiet for a long time.
“I loved who I thought he was.”
Jennifer nodded.
“That answer I understand.”
Chloe looked at her.
“What about you?”
Jennifer thought carefully.
“I loved him.”
“Past tense?”
“Yes.”
Chloe’s eyes lowered.
Jennifer continued.
“That doesn’t mean every memory disappears.”
“It means I finally know those memories don’t obligate me to stay connected to the person he became.”
Chloe nodded.
Then she slid a small envelope across the table.
“What is this?”
“The remainder of the money Daniel transferred for my hospital bills.”
Jennifer did not touch it.
“How much?”
“Six thousand.”
“I want it returned.”
Jennifer shook her head.
“Not to me.”
“It came from your account.”
“Some did.”
“Some came from the foundation.”
“Give it to the receiver handling restitution.”
Chloe nodded.
“That’s fair.”
They sat quietly.
Then Jennifer asked.
“What do you want for Jacob?”
Chloe immediately answered.
“To grow up without feeling like he was the reason this happened.”
Jennifer’s chest tightened.
“He wasn’t.”
“I know.”
“Lily wasn’t either.”
“I know.”
Jennifer looked at the two babies.
“That is the one thing we agree on completely.”
Chloe smiled weakly.
It was not friendship.
May you like
But it was enough.
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