has always treated you like a queen.”
“I know, I know. I still can’t believe this is really happening. I never saw it coming.”
“Are you seriously thinking about moving out?” Kellie asked.
“I don’t want to, but what else can I do? He was pretty adamant about not being able to ‘live like this’ anymore. I’m going to talk to Mom and Dad and see if the girls and I can stay in the room above their garage until I get everything figured out.”
I couldn’t stop from tearing up again. Being around my sisters allowed me to let my guard down and show how raw my hurt was.
“Do you know how worthless I feel knowing that he kissed and did who knows what with another woman because we ‘don’t do it very often,’ and that he’s the one who wants out of the marriage? I should be the one kicking him to the curb for what he did, not the other way around.” I dropped my head into my hands and started rubbing my temples. “Could one of you call Mom and Dad and let them know what’s going on? Mom’s dropping off the girls tomorrow morning, and I don’t want to talk about it in front of them.”
“I’ll call Mom as soon as I get home,” Kellie answered. “And since tomorrow is President’s Day and there’s no school, why don’t you drop the girls off at my house.”
“Thanks. They’d really like that.”
“Do you want us to spend the night with you tonight?” Kristie asked.
“No, that’s okay. I’ll be fine.”
“You sure?”
“Yes,” I nodded.
“Okay. Well, we’re going to get going, but call us if you need anything.”
After they left, I lay on the couch, staring up at the blank ceiling. Even though I was having a hard time grasping everything, I knew I had to anyway. The idea of leaving this place really pained me, but there was no way I could stay.
I knew Mom and Dad wouldn’t mind me staying with them, but I had no idea how long my stay would be. I could look into renting an apartment, but I didn’t want to commit to something long term in the event Aaron happened to change his mind.
I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a sigh of exhaustion. Over the last twenty-four hours, my life was turned completely upside down, but one thing I dreaded more than anything was having to tell Jenna and Mia that their mom and dad were no longer going to be together. The mere thought tore my heart in two.
Chapter 9
I was awakened early the next morning by the doorbell. Knowing it was probably Mom, I quickly got up to let her in. It felt great to have the girls back, and their big hugs and kisses made me feel so much better. In the living room, I turned on cartoons for them to watch while Mom and I went into the kitchen to talk.
“I don’t know what you are going to do, but you and the girls can always stay in the room above the garage,” she said, handing me a key and an extra garage door opener.
“Thank-you so much. I didn’t want to impose on you and Dad, but I didn’t know what else to do.”
“Hopefully, this is something you and Aaron can get worked out, but in the meantime, you and the girls can stay up there as long as you need.”
I gave her a hug, and she wiped her eyes as if she was about ready to cry. “Well, I need to get to work. Your dad is home today in case you need him for anything.”
“You two are the greatest. Thanks again,” I said, giving her another hug.
“Where’s Dad?” Jenna asked after Mom left.
“Uh, he already left for work,” I lied.
“Ah, okay,” she answered as if she believed me. “Are we still going shopping today?”
“Actually, I hate to do this, but something came up, and we’ll have to go another day.” There was a look of disappointment on her face. “But Aunt Kellie invited you over to her house to hang out with your cousins.”
“Alright,” she said, happy with that arrangement.
“Are you okay, Mom?” Jenna asked when we were driving to Kellie’s house.
“Yes, I just didn’t sleep very well last night. Did you bring your boots in case you play outside in the snow?”
Afraid she might quiz me on what I was doing today, I changed the subject to get me by until we got to Kellie’s house, which was luckily only ten minutes away.
We pulled into her driveway and greeting us at the door were Kellie and her three daughters.
“Hi Aunt Kate. When are we going shopping for my birthday?” asked her youngest daughter, Maddie, in her sweet little voice. She was my Goddaughter and I loved to spoil her to pieces.
“But Maddie, it’s only February and your birthday isn’t until June.”
“I know but you still owe me from my last birthday.”
I laughed out loud on that one. For only being five years old, she was already funny and witty.
“How about we go out to eat for your five-and-a-half birthday and then shop for some gift ideas for your sixth birthday?”
Her grin spread across her cute little face and her big brown eyes sparkled. “How about today?”
“I can’t today, but we will soon, okay?”
“Okay,” she answered, apparently happy with the compromise.
“I’m going to go,” I said to Jenna and Mia. “You two be good for Aunt Kellie, and I’ll pick you up sometime before supper.”
“Alright.”
In a flash, they were gone, following Kellie’s three girls upstairs to their rooms.
“I will be back as soon as I get our things moved,” I told Kellie.
“Are you sure you want to do this? After a good night of sleep, maybe Aaron changed his mind.”
“He has made no attempt to contact me since yesterday, so I have no idea if he has changed his mind.”
“Really? That surprises me. Let’s just hope he comes to his senses.”
I nodded in agreement although in the back of my head I couldn’t help but to think, He has to come to his senses . . . There’s no way he could stand not being with me.
Chapter 10
All of the family dinners we had at this kitchen table . . .
As I slid my hand across the table and chairs, I couldn’t help but to be angry over the thought of moving out of my home. Staring out the kitchen window, my eyes came to rest on the gazebo,
