Page 135 of Stage Dive: Short Stories & Novellas
“How about a glass of wine?”
“Not right now.Maybe later.”Anne settled the baby over her shoulder.“Thank you.”
Her sister did not look pacified.“Hmm.”
Lena and I exchanged a glance, but said not a word.Whatever was going on with Anne was her own business.Though why we gave her privacy when they were all up in my business, I don’t know.Not that I wasn’t glad to have them all there.Being surrounded by my friends made things instantly better.Along with knowing David and Jimmy were talking things through.
Guess respecting a friend’s privacy had a lot to do with giving that friend what they needed in that particular moment.And cross your fingers you didn’t get it wrong.Every relationship was tricky.They all took work.
“Thank you for being here, you guys,” I said to one and all.“I really mean it.This would have been so much more difficult to handle alone.I feel like David is just opting out of our life together.Like the idea of being a family doesn’t appeal.He hardly talks to me.Won’t discuss a name for the baby.He just…I don’t know.”
Anne frowned.“That sounds really hard.”
“Yeah.”I sighed.“I’m worried this is going to be the end of us.And I don’t know what to do.”
Lena moved to my side and slipped an arm around my shoulders.“One thing at a time, Ev.Eat now.You have to look after yourself so you can look after the baby.Then we’ll come up with a plan for dealing with your fool of a husband.”
“Okay.”I sniffed.“Thank you.”
She smiled.“Anytime.”
David: I need a couple of days.
Me: For what?
David: Just to sort things out.Ok?
Me: We always said we’d face things together.
David: Ev, I can’t.I need the space to fix things on my own this time.
Me: I don’t even know what to say.Ok I guess.You’re not giving me any other options.
Me: I don’t like it, but if that’s what you need.
David: Thank you.I love you.
Me: I love you too.
Isat at the table with the baby monitor, staring into space.How many different ways could your heart break?That was the question.It felt like mine had been entrusted to the wrong person suddenly.David and I had always had each other’s backs.We’d always done our best to be there for each other and now…he wasn’t coming home.Not yet at least.Maybe not ever.And I hated not knowing as much as I hated him not being here.
Head in my hands, I sat and cried.
The call came from the front desk just after two the next afternoon.“Mrs.Ferris?A Jude Darcy is here to see you.She says she was sent by Mr.Ferris.”
“Um, all right.Send her up,” I said.“Thank you.”
A young blonde woman was standing at my door a couple of minutes later.She had blunt edgy bangs and a nose piercing.“Mrs.Ferris.Hello.It’s lovely to meet you.”
“Hi,” I said, bewildered.“My husband sent you?”
“Yes.I met with him and his associates this morning.And it was agreed that so long as you’re happy with the arrangements, I was to start work immediately.”
She was smiling at me, so I smiled at her and… “Huh?”
Her smile dimmed.“Ah, I’m your new housekeeper slash nanny.If you’ll have me.I have a printout of my resume for you in my handbag.And of course I’ve already signed an N.D.A.and so on.”
“You’re my new housekeeper slash nanny?”I stared off at nothing.“Wow.”
