Melissa added, “Some reimbursements too.”
“Work reimbursements?”
“For expenses I initially paid personally.”
“So money that should have replaced household spending.”
“Yes.”
I leaned back.
“Was Derek’s number right?”
“What number?”
“Thirty-eight thousand.”
Her face told me the answer.
“He contributed some.”
“How much?”
“About nine.”
That meant Melissa’s twenty-nine completed the total.
I nodded slowly.
The numbers finally matched.
Oddly, that gave me more relief than satisfaction.
Melissa looked at the legal petition.
“Is this because of Derek?”
“No.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Then the money?”
“No.”
She stared at me.
“Then what?”
I thought for several seconds before answering.
“It’s because I no longer know when the version of you speaking to me is the version you’re giving everyone else.”
She flinched.
I continued.
“You told me Derek was a friend.”
“You told him our marriage was basically over.”
“You told your parents I approved of your condo investment.”
“You told me the money was for household expenses.”
“You told different people whatever kept each conversation manageable.”
Melissa shook her head. “That makes me sound like some pathological liar.”
“I’m describing what happened.”
“That’s not fair.”
I almost smiled.
“There it is.”
“What?”
“Every time reality becomes uncomfortable, you tell me the description is unfair.”
She looked down.
I picked up my phone.
“Do you want to hear Friday?”
Melissa looked up slowly.
“The recording?”
“Yes.”
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
I pressed play.