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Chapter 2

Tears & Blueberry Muffins

The next morning came quick, and even despite my anxious nerves, I was starving. Which was explainable, considering I was eating for two. When I wandered on down stairs, which took me longer than I thought, I hobbled into the kitchen.

Being eight months pregnant, I discovered many things; Walking around corners was a lot harder than before, I could no longer see my feet, but I assumed that they were still there. And sleeping on my back for practically nine-months was far from making me stiff.

Either way, my stomach was growling and I figured if I didn’t hold myself back, I would most definitely eat the entire kitchen. Looking around the kitchen, which was very silent, the hum of the refrigerator the only noise. It was around seven o’clock, and my Mother had already left for work. And my Dad, well I wasn’t sure where he was. Standing alone in the kitchen, a note written on patriotic paper caught my eye; right away I knew it was from my Mother. As I read it, I smiled, which I didn’t know was possible after all I had been through in the past twenty-four hours.

Food’s in the refrigerator! Call me if you need me!

Love Ma

My Mom was always the protective type; she would go out of her way to help anyone in need, and definitely her children. I couldn’t help but wonder what her reaction would be if she found out about Ellie had been the ‘other woman’. Crumpling the note in my hand, I glanced behind me at the telephone that hung on the wall. I was surprised that Derek hadn’t called, begging me to come back. And the fact that he hadn’t, only proved how much he didn’t care in the end. Its funny what you discover when your outside of the box. Grasping the telephone in my hand, I actually contemplated calling him, but that thought faded as fast as it came, when I remembered my Mother’s harsh words.

Thankfully, I came to my senses and Leah replaced my thoughts. Leah and I were best friends all throughout High School, and like most best friends, we were inseparable. In all the chaos, I had forgot me and Leah’s lunch date, which we did most Mondays’. Grateful that I didn’t sleep in, I dialed her cell phone number, remembering that she hadn’t yet got her home telephone fixed.

“Come on…pick up the phone, Lee!” I urged, as I listened the phone ring continuously in my ear. “Get up! Answer your phone!” Just as I started to get impatient, a sound came on the receiver.

“Hello-o-o…” A tired Leah answered, slightly grumpy. Leah was not at all a morning person; especially after drinking and partying all weekend long.

“Oh! Lee, sorry to wake you, but we have to talk.”

Two blueberry muffins later to hold me off, and pleading with Leah to get her ass out of bed, we decided to have breakfast at the Java House. As I drove out to the suburbs, I regrettably decided to drive by the beach house.

From habit, I knew that Derek would still be at home, probably in bed. And for his sake, hopefully alone. When the beach house was in sight, I didn’t slow down but rode the brakes as I went on by.

Feeling my mouth fall open, I couldn’t believe my eyes; Ellie’s Grand Am was parked behind Derek’s Escalade. When I came around the curve, the beach house in my review mirror, and I couldn’t believe the nerve of my Sister. I wasn’t about to assume…wait I was assuming! Assuming the worst! Ellie had the audacity to sleep in my bed…no alone in my bed, but with my fiancée! Grasping the steering wheel, I forced myself to calm down, which was working less and less.

When I arrived at the Java House, this time not for work, but for a cup of coffee, which I was no longer looking forward too. There at the far end of the room, Leah sat at a table set for two; I could barely recognize her from behind. She was dressed in black jogging pants, and her blonde hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, which was frizzing out the sides.

“Whoa…nice hairdo!” I commented, rather humbly, as she only groaned. “I know this isn’t the greatest wake-up you’ve ever had, but it was an emergency.”

Resting her chin against her hand, her eyes blinked heavily at me. “This better be an emergency, I haven’t got outta bed this early since High School.” Leah closed her eyes momentarily. “But at any rate, I’m here…so what’s the emergency? It’s not the baby is it?”

Sitting my purse beside me, a cloud of shame seemed to come over me. It was a strange feeling, which I never had felt before, especially with Leah, I could tell her anything.

“What is it Jack?” She asked curiously, as her green eyes were now open, and focused on me. “Nothing is wrong with the baby, right? Everything’s alright?”

The fact was, everything was not okay, it was much worse. “Yea, the baby’s fine.” I managed to answer, “But ---.” I paused, as the words wouldn’t escape my lips.

“But what hun?” She asked me softly, as she took my hand into hers. Leah was a very intuned person; she knew when something was wrong, it was as if she had a motherly instinct about her. “It can’t be that bad sweetie…You can tell me…you know that right?”

“Yeah, I know.” I replied my eyes avoiding hers. “But uh…actually Lee, it is pretty bad.”

Narrowing her eyes, I could tell that she didn’t’ understand where I was going with this. “Derek and I --- the wedding is off.” I finished, as a single tear rolled down my warm cheek.

“What? Since when?”

“Since yesterday, I would say…” I laughed at the image. “I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you sooner, but since yesterday, I, uh, can’t seem to think straight. As funny as that sounds.”

There I was, laughing about something that was not one bit funny. But that was me, and I’m sure that a psychiatrist would have a ball with me and my personality issues. I didn’t manage feelings very well, and I wasn’t sure how to handle all the new emotions I was feeling now. And I thought being pregnant, would make me a pro by now.

“Did you guys get into another argument? Because honey, that’s normal! Men don’t know what their talkin’ about half the time, and a woman has to put em’ back in their place.” Leah smiled.

“Ohh Lee, he had a woman put him back in his place, trust me.” I nodded, as I wiped away the tears with the back of my hand.

Rubbing her forehead, Leah looked at me blankly. “Uh, maybe it’s my massive hangover, but uh, none of this is making a bit of sense. What do you mean by all this? You call me early in the morning, claiming it’s an emergency, and now what? You’re crying. What’s up?”

Sucking in my bottom lip, I knew that I had to get to the point, and stop beating around the bush. “I caught him in bed with another woman, Lee…” I whispered, “ I caught my fiancée, in bed with another woman!” I gritted my teeth, as the anger I had felt on the ride over came pouring onto the surface.

Before I finished my sentence, the shock on Leah’s face resembled mine. “Are you serious? With who?” Leah asked me, and I was reluctant to answer. It was something in me that stopped me; I was actually protecting Ellie, although I was in furious with her. And I didn’t know why.

“I don’t know who…” I lied, swallowing hard. “But the wedding is definitely off!”

Holding her hands up in front of her, Leah’s face was confused, as she thought heavily for a moment. “How in the hell did this all come around? I mean what did he have to say?”

“He didn’t say anything really, I didn’t give him the opportunity honestly. But what can you say in that situation anyway? He could come crawling on his hands and knees and it wouldn’t make a difference.” I replied, not sure of my own words.

“Wow, that’s a big surprise! You know I always had that gut feeling that Derek was a two-timer. And that’s why people tell you to follow your gut!” She pointed at me, as she raised her eyebrows.

“Yea, I just wish that I would’ve known sooner…”I mumbled, as I looked down at my plump stomach. “Then I could’ve have changed things, and done things different.”

“Jackie, look at me!” Leah ordered, rather bluntly, which in I quickly raised my head. “You have to deal with the cards that your dealt, even though they might not be what you wanted. And why would you want to change such a beautiful thing that God has given you?”

Nodding, I agreed, even though I felt somewhat shameful. “I know…I just ---.” I cracked, overloaded with pressure. “I don’t know if I can do this!”

“Of course you can!” Leah said sincerely, as she gave my hand a gentle shake. “And you won’t do it alone, you know that. You’ve got me, and I know that your parents’ are more than on board. They do know right?”

“Yeah, I stayed there last night.” I whimpered, “You should’ve see my Mom’s reaction.” I breathed, as I managed a half smile.

Leaning back in the chair, Leah chuckled lightly. “I could only imagine. Knowing Karen, she probably flipped didn’t she?”

“I never seen her so mad!” We laughed, which eased my tears.

Leah’s smile faded, into a more serious one. One that I wasn’t too familiar with. “So, what do you wanna do first? Find that chick and beat the shit outta her, or get your stuff from the house?”

My stuff? I hadn’t even thought of everything I left behind, which were all trivial things, but definitely things that I needed. “Oh my God, I didn’t even think of it! I have to get my clothes, and the baby’s stuff, jeez…how am I gonna get all that stuff into my car?”

“Oh! No need to worry, I’ll just call up Brayden!” She said cheerfully, as if she had just now woken up from a deep sleep.

As I watched her pull out her cell phone from her purse, I bit my lip nervously. I knew Brayden very well…and on some lines, too well. And I knew out of everyone, he’d be the most sympathetic, and I didn’t need anymore pity.