“She misunderstood.”
“What did you say?”
“I don't remember.”
“You remember enough to say she misunderstood.”
Renee exhaled sharply.
“Fine.”
“I may have said that if she kept disrespecting me, maybe she would be happier spending more time with Simone.”
My sister's voice became quiet.
“You used me as threat?”
“No.”
“Yes.”
Simone stepped forward.
“You made that child think her father could replace her with your kids and send her to me.”
“I did not.”
“Then why did she say it?”
“Because she knows how to get Marcus emotional.”
I looked at my wife.
“Stop.”
“What?”
“Calling my ten-year-old manipulative.”
“You think children can't manipulate?”
“Of course they can.”
“Then—”
“But every time her words inconvenience you, you label them manipulation.”
Renee stared.
“You've already decided I’m the villain.”
“No.”
“I’ve decided she’s safe first.”
“Those are different.”
She laughed bitterly.
“Where am I supposed to go?”
There it was.
Not:
Is Nia okay?
Not:
Can I apologize?
Where am I supposed to go?
I hated noticing.
Maybe because I knew it mattered.
I said:
“Your mother’s.”
“She lives an hour away.”
“Yes.”
“My kids have school.”
“I’ll drive them tomorrow if needed.”
“You're throwing out Malik and Zoe?”
“No.”
“You can choose whether they come with you tonight.”
“I’m not separating them from you.”
“But you need to leave.”
She stared.
“This is my home.”
“Legally, yes.”
“I’m not pretending otherwise.”
“But tonight, you leave voluntarily or I take Nia to Simone’s and contact an attorney from there.”
Simone looked at me.
Renee looked stunned.
“You'd leave your own house?”
“If that's what keeps distance tonight.”
“Marcus.”
I looked toward the living room where Malik and Zoe sat silent.
“This is not a debate in front of children.”
“We can talk tomorrow.”
“Tonight we separate.”
Renee’s eyes filled.