Then Tara said something strange.
“I haven’t given Nick any of the money yet.”
I opened my eyes.
“Why would you give Nick money?”
Silence.
“Tara?”
Her breathing became uneven.
“Because he told me we were supposed to divide it.”
I gripped the edge of the mattress.
“Divide what?”
“The money from your clothes.”
I felt my stomach turn.
Then she explained.
Nick had contacted her on Thursday and said I wanted to clear out my maternity wardrobe before the baby arrived.
He claimed I’d already kept everything I needed.
On Saturday morning, while I was at work, he loaded my belongings into two laundry baskets and delivered them to her apartment.
At first, Tara believed him.
But then she noticed the unopened nursing pajamas.
And the green dress.
The same dress she had helped me choose for photographs scheduled later that month.
She knew I hadn’t worn it yet.
