The purpose of Catherine's visit today was not just to say those words to me.
She took out a small gift box from her bag, delicate and adorable. There was a little blue bear on it, along with an English design wishing a happy seventh birthday.
"Next week is Leo's seventh birthday. Damon and I are throwing a birthday bash for him. You should come," Catherine said with apparent cheer.
Seven years old. Counting back, I was married to Damon for five years, then divorced and messed around for two to three years, and during this time, his child with another woman had grown into a seven-year- old boy.
"Thanks for the invite, but I won't be coming. Take the gift back," I said, uninterested.
"Well, the choice is yours, Catherine was not insistent." She smoothed her hair, and before leaving, she said, "Ms. Brooks, since someone is treating you like a gem, please keep your distance from other women's men. Try not to have unnecessary overlap, thank you."
