Page 70
Story: When People Leave
“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!”
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98