Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“I knew you were fucking her,” she says loudly, on the crowded street of downtown.
“Aubrey, I’m here to talk to her about our son spending the holidays with her and to give her some money.”
“Just admit it,” she screams. “The reason you won’t move is because of her. Does Liam know? Maybe I should go find him and tell him.”
I ignore the bullshit. “The reason we aren’t moving is because our son is in high school,” I say through gritted teeth. “Look, I don’t know what’s gotten into you or why you’re crying, but you’re making a scene.”
“Do you want to know why I’m crying?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.”
“Because . . .” She pauses and wipes at her tears. “Because of this.” Aubrey motions between us. “I know I asked for a divorce, but I didn’t expect it to hurt.”
“Then make it stop, Aubrey. Let’s go to counseling. We can figure something out. Make more time to travel during the summer when the kids are out of school. You can volunteer and do what you love doing.” I step forward and reach for her, and for a second, I think she’s going to fall into my arms. Instead, she takes a step back and damn, it feels like a kick in the gut.
“It’s not that simple anymore, Nick.”
“Why isn’t it? We haven’t filed anything. All we’ve done is talk. Nothing is set in stone.”
Aubrey shakes her head. “It’s not what I want.” She turns and walks down the street, leaving me there. In a matter of minutes, the entire town is going to know I’m getting a divorce.
I go inside and Josie pops her head out from around the corner. “Hey.”
“I’m sorry you saw that.”
“I’m sorry for what you’re going through.” She motions toward the window. “Whatever that is.”
I can’t help but sigh. “I told her that Mack is going with you for the holidays, and she instantly accused me of having an affair and said she was going to tell Liam.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, no matter what I say, she doesn’t believe me. I don’t get it. Aubrey’s the one who wants to leave, but I’m the bad guy because I won’t give up my practice, my coaching job, or yank our son from high school. I’m trying to give him a good, stable life, and she’s making me feel like I’ve done something wrong.”
“You haven’t, Nick. At least from what Liam said. I just want you to know that Mack is welcome to stay as long as he needs. Don’t worry. Our door is open.”
I pull the envelope from my inside pocket and hand it to her even though I know she won’t take the money. Josie will end up using it on the kids, which I’m fine with. I know she and Liam will take care of my son. I trust them. More than I trust my wife right now.
Josie’s staff packs up the lunches and hands them to me. On my way back to the office, the staring and the whispering start. Just lovely.
5
CHRISTMAS MORNING
Of all the places we could be, I’m happy it’s in Johannesburg and not some remote village, although the people there need the most help. The house my contact at Doctors Without Borders found for Aubrey and Amelie is in a gated community, which was one of my concerns. Had I left it up to Aubrey, they’d live in the village where she plans to work, and this didn’t sit well with me. When I leave, I need to make sure Amelie’s safe. That she has a car service taking her to and from school, and that someone is home when she is. Unfortunately, that won’t be Aubrey. The second we arrived in town her new employer whisked her off to assist with a delivery an hour away. As much as I hate thinking ill of my wife, or soon to be ex-wife, I want our daughter to see how absent her mother is going to be and ask to come home with me.
The rental is a cluster home, and has what Amelie calls the oddest swing set she’s ever seen in the backyard. The rooms are nice size. Mack will have a bedroom for when he comes to visit his mom. The cabinetry needs to be replaced and the bathrooms are in desperate need of remodeling, but this is what Aubrey wanted. Actually, no. It’s what I required if Amelie was going to live in South Africa. If Aubrey had her way, Amelie would be running barefoot in some remote village. Even though I’ve done it and it’s where I met my wife, it’s not what I want for our daughter.
Amelie wants to play out front. She’s waiting for her new friend to come outside. I’m homesick, missing my son, and wishing we were back in Beaumont opening presents. Amelie doesn’t even realize it’s Christmas since she opened all her gifts before she left. Thank God for smartphones and the clock app otherwise I’d be lost on what time it is here when it’s nine a.m. eastern in the U.S. I press the video button to call Mack. I expect him to be awake since he’s one of those who wakes up at five a.m. on Christmas Day. His phone rings and by the fourth ring I’m about to hang up when his face fills my screen. An instant wave of emotion washes over me. Regret, sadness, and longing. I miss my boy.