Page 70

“Wow.You’re serious.”

“It’s best that we don’t have to see each other right now.”

“So, that’s it?After eleven years, you never want to talk again?”

“I don’t know.Maybe after we each have time away for a while, we can be friends.”

“I don’t need a friend,” he said.

“Take care of yourself.”Charlie hung up before she changed her mind or let him try to change hers.

“I did it!”she yelled loudly.“Goodbye, Rick!”Albert sensed her excitement and thought she was offering to take him for a walk.He jumped up and down and ran around the room.

“Aren’t you proud of me, Albert?”Charlie danced to a rhythm she’d created in her head.“We’re free, we’re free, no more boyfriend!”Then, suddenly she froze.“No more boyfriend.I’m all alone now.Who am I going to go out with on a Saturday night?Who’s going to be my emergency contact?”

She sat on the floor and cuddled with Albert, who licked her cheek.After a few minutes, Charlie stood up.“I can do this.I’ve helped clients get through break-ups.I’ll be okay.”She hoped that would be true.

CHAPTER 31

Abby

That evening, Abby stood in the shower, enjoying the warm water running down upon her.What she loved most was not hearing a herd of little fists banging on the door.She missed her family but couldn’t help appreciating the time she had to concentrate on herself.It had been six years since she’d had a full night’s sleep without someone’s feet kicking her in the stomach.And when was the last time she could have a conversation on the phone without it being grabbed out of her hands to play Kids Doodle?

She had convinced herself that harmless flirting with Greg fell into self-care.While she took the time to shampoo her hair and scrub her scalp, she thought about her life.

I’ve been only a wife and mother for so long; I deserve to feel like a woman again.Does that make me ungrateful when I’ve been blessed with a loving husband and four adorable children?

She applied a hair mask and sat on the bench in the shower to wait five minutes for it to work.Maybe my family havebeen happier without me.I wonder if they miss me.Alex is probably a better mother than I am.Geez, I gave up everything for kids who don’t even care that I’m gone.

Abby shook her head, trying to ward off these thoughts.Then she washed the mask off, not waiting for the full five minutes.She turned off the faucet, rubbed the water out of her eyes, and stepped out of the shower.Soaking wet, with a towel wrapped around her, she went into her bedroom not caring that she had been dripping water onto the carpet.She was about to reach for her clothes when her phone rang.

“Hey you,” Alex said.

Why does he sound so relaxed?I never sound that mellow when I’m at home.

“Hi,” Abby said.

“How are things going with my beautiful wife?”

“Pretty much the same since we spoke last night.”

“I know you have a lot to process.”

Abby hit the speaker button and grabbed her PJ shirt and panties.

“How’re the kids?”she asked.

“They’re good.We found our rhythm, and everything’s going smoothly now.”

“Really,” her voice was almost monotone.“I guess that’s good.”Abby got her shirt on, but when she went to put her panties on, they fell behind the bed.

“You don’t need to worry about us,” he said.

Abby felt tears come to her eyes.I was right, they don’t need me, they’re doing fine without me.“Okay, well, I’m glad you checked in,” she said, trying to reach behind the bed, but she couldn’t quite grasp her panties.

Then she heard a clatter as something hit the floor.Alex was swearing, his voice suddenly sounding far away.“Is everything okay?”she asked.

“Hudson, don’t do that!”Alex said.“Levi, give me back my phone!”