Chapter 17 - Thatcher Learns to Read
Thatcher eventually became a joke in Brandon’s family:
“Read page fourteen.”
He hated at first.
Then used himself.
At board meeting, new vendor contract arrived.
Nina said:
“Please review.”
Thatcher:
“Especially page fourteen.”
Everyone laughed.
That sounds trivial.
It was growth.
Then he called me seven years after divorce.
Unusual.
“Eloin.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yes.”
“I’m getting remarried.”
I paused.
“Congratulations.”
“To Claire Donovan.”
I didn't know.
Then:
“I wanted to tell you before family social media.”
“Thank you.”
He continued:
“We have prenup.”
I laughed.
“Read?”
“Twice.”
Good.
Then:
“I told her everything.”
“About?”
“Business. You. Mom. Laptop.”
That was important.
Then:
“Mom is behaving.”
“Claire’s problem now.”
He laughed.
Then serious:
“I wanted you to know I don’t tell story like you destroyed company anymore.”
I had heard he once did.
“Okay.”
“I tell people you stopped subsidizing it.”
Better.
Then:
“And we were idiots.”
Brandon probably contributed.
I smiled.
Then:
“Are you happy?”
“I think.”
“Good.”
No jealousy.
Our marriage had ended for reason.
His second did not invalidate first.
Then Claire and Lorelai eventually clashed.
Apparently Claire told her no on guest-room redesign.
Lorelai accepted after one argument.
Growth.
Then Thatcher had daughter several years later? He's 38 at opening, 7 years later 45, possible. Maybe yes, daughter Mia Cole.
I heard.
Strange pang.
Not longing for him.
For alternate life.
Then let.
I sent card.
No big.
Lorelai became grandmother.
She did not claim baby.
At least Brandon said.
Maybe consequence taught.
Then Thatcher emailed:
Mom asks before visiting now. You’d laugh.
I replied:
May you like
I am laughing.
That was friendship enough.
