Page 49 of From This Moment (After We Fall 4)
“Who takes Abby to school in the mornings?”
I’d already answered this question a hundred times. “I did this week, since it was her first, and I went into work a little later, but my sitter will take her from now on when I work. Then I’m off in time to pick her up, take her to her afternoon activities, do her reading and math homework.”
“Homework!” Lenore squawked, cracking an egg into a bowl. “Who gives homework in kindergarten?”
I shrugged and sipped the sugary tea. “I think all schools give at least some. It’s not too much. I think it’s good for her to start learning the routine now.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Lenore sniffed and dumped another egg into the bowl. “Kids her age don’t need homework or scheduled activities. They need fresh air and play time and good meals and sleep, that’s all.”
I took another drink rather than reply. No sense arguing with Lenore. ?
?Is Doc at work today?”
“He and Wes went to the hospital for rounds this morning, and then he was taking Wes to get his car. Apparently the boy had a few too many beers last night in town and one of the Valentinis had to drive him home. Honestly.” She clucked her tongue as she beat the eggs with a little water. “You’d think he’d know better. But I suppose he deserves a good time, he’s worked so hard and been through so much. I’m really hoping he’ll settle here, get married, have a family. Otherwise, I’m a little worried he’ll get antsy and take off again.”
I tried to imagine how I would feel when Wes began dating someone, and was surprised by the vicious punch of jealousy in my gut. I had no right to feel jealous of anyone he chose to date.
But the thought of his hands on another woman’s body made me want to vomit.
“I should go,” I said, quickly dumping the rest of my tea in the sink. Maybe I couldn’t avoid him forever, but I could avoid him today. In my current emotional state, it seemed wise.
I was about to make my way into the great room to collect Abby when the side door opened and Wes stepped into the kitchen. We locked eyes. My stomach filled with butterflies. I couldn’t breathe.
But it wasn’t the panic attack of last night. It was an airy, exhilarating feeling, a balloon of joy inside me at the mere sight of him. I wanted to see him, I realized. Of course I did.
“Hey,” he said, dropping his keys on the counter. “How are you?”
Miserable.
“Fine,” I said, a little too loudly. I ran a hand over the hastily-done braid at the back of my head. He looked perfect in gray dress pants and a white button-down with the sleeves cuffed, and I felt totally unkempt with my messy hair and work jeans and flour-dusted red T-shirt. Not to mention my puffy eyes and sleep-deprived complexion. “How are you?”
“Fine.” His eyes told me differently.
Don’t look at me that way, Wes. It makes me weak.
I broke the stare and mumbled something about getting Abby home, then left the kitchen on wobbly legs. Lenore invited us to come back for fried chicken later, but I made some excuse as to why we couldn’t, and Wes didn’t try to argue. Taking Abby by the hand, I slipped out the front door without looking back. Keep moving. Just keep moving.
I buckled Abby in, shut the door, got in the driver’s seat, buckled myself in, and burst into tears.
“What’s wrong, Mommy?” asked Abby from the back seat.
Good God. Where would I even start?
“Nothing, baby. Just having a bad day.” I pulled myself together and started the engine, meeting her eyes in the rearview so she wouldn’t be scared. “Tell me about your sleepover.”
When we got home, I sent Abby outside to play and called Tess.
“Hey. I need to talk. Got a minute?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
“I slept with Wes last night.”
At first, silence. Then, “Define slept.”
“We had sex.”
She gasped. “Where?”
