June 20:
Wes hacked Louise! He thought it would be funny to play recordings of my sessions on the Alexas in all our rooms! It happened while I was at Trader Joe’s applying for a job. I like their Hawaiian theme and cheap prices. People there are always super nice too. Once asked manager for paper bags for Maren’s school and offered to pay. Gave me over a thousand bags for free! Super nice!
Wes played the recording where I called Maren an asshole. Maren was furious. Rightly so. I feel terrible. What kind of mother calls her child an asshole? A truthful one, ha ha! No, this is serious.
Furious with Wes! What an idiot! I took all technology away from him. Ha ha! See how you like it when you have no iPhone, tablet, TV, or Alexa. Stuck with his own thoughts as punishment. Ha!
But have to admit, I’m kind of proud of Wes? He knew how to hack the TheraP150™! Who knew he had the skills? Maybe he could use them to find a good job one day? Maybe I should send him to the camp Apple has for kids every summer? It’s super expensive but maybe Wes can get a scholarship?
June 22:
Finally, Kevin heard from the company! It’s a yes! Kevin starts next week with a trip to Austin. Happy happy joy joy!
Pay is not as good as his last job, but Kevin can actually make more because of commissions. Kevin is nervous but I’m so proud! Besides, it’ll be easy. These TheraPs™ sell themselves!
Louise is practically my best friend now. There’s no need to burden other people with unpleasant, uncomfortable conversations about feeling sad or depressed, wondering, Is this all there is? Now I just talk to Louise when I’m feeling down. Or up. She knows me well enough now to ask about family, and remembers things that I’ve said before. She has also started to say “You are loved” at the end of every session. When I asked Darren about it, he said he added it because he could tell I needed it. Darren is so thoughtful. Sometimes more than Kevin, ha ha!
August 15:
Oh my God. Kevin is kicking butt. Only downside is traveling all the time, but it is worth it because he is making moneyhand over fist. I quit Trader Joe’s. No more stupid Hawaiian shirts! Next week we’re even taking the kids to Disneyland and California Adventure before school starts!
People are loving their TheraPs™. The company can hardly keep up. There’s a huge waiting list now. Kevin says he doesn’t even have to do anything to sell; all he has to do is write up orders. Kevin says he feels so good working at a job that makes money and is helping people. He’s even looking better these days. Bought himself some new, expensive clothes for work and a sleek new high-tech briefcase that only opens by voice command. Maybe he’s looking too good? Have been finding notes on napkins and on the backs of sales receipts with women’s names and phone numbers. When confronted, Kevin laughed and said it’s just women who want their TheraPs™ without waiting. Kevin says not to worry. I am the only woman for him. Ha ha. Who’s worried?
August 19:
It’s official, am living my best life. Kevin and the children and I are staying in one of the hotels connected to Disneyland. The room looks like it’s out of a Disney movie. Everything’s purple and yellow and blue, the walls painted like sky with clouds and magic carpets. Yup, Aladdin. The view outside is of a roller coaster and I can even hear screams! It’s paradise.
Maren and Wes are so excited, they’re not even fighting. On the ride down they built a Minecraft world together. When was the last time they played together? It’s been so long I can’t remember!
Everything here is so easy. All we have to do is go to the lobby and there are trams waiting to take us to the rides. Disneyland or California Adventure, whichever one we want. Last night we went to see the fireworks over the castle. It’s just like the logo in the movies! Magical. Got goose bumps all over. I think I even saw Kevin tear up, but then he pulled out a napkin with lipstick on it. Someone’s e-mail address? If it wasn’t aperfect, beautiful moment, would definitely have said something about it. But how many moments like these are there?
Hate to say it, but life with money is so much better than life without.
August 29:
Maren is missing! Woke up early, made pancakes and bacon for the first day of school even though I know Maren will not touch bacon. Announced a month ago that she will no longer eat pigs because they are smarter than we are. I shouted for the kids to wake up, eat breakfast. Wes came down with gel in his hair (my little boy is growing up!) but no Maren. I asked Kevin to go check on her. Kevin couldn’t find her. We checked all the rooms including the garage and basement laundry room. Nothing. Then we noticed her phone and backpack missing. Called the police; waiting for them now.
* * Later * *
Kevin took Wes to school and came back in time to talk with the police. Filled out a report. They were nice guys, polite and calming. But still! Am trying not to completely freak out. They told us that they see this kind of thing all the time. Kids going to their friend’s house, forgetting to let the parents know. But I called Maren’s friends already! None of them have seen her lately.
