“It’s not about my affair, darling,” she stressed. “It’s about Hollis’.”
My heart sunk. This was the driving force of this conversation. “You really think he’s having an affair?”
She chose her words carefully. “I cannot clearly confirm or promise that he is, but as someone who’s been in your shoes, the signs are there. Who knows? Perhaps he’s just having a moment, being a typical asshole – as men tend to do from time to time. But I’d rather have you prepared for the worst than sit by and watch you get blindsided and heartbroken.”
***
Kelli and I spent the remainder of our afternoon together. Our conversation centered on talking about love, relationships, and dealing with heartbreak at first. After a while we moved on to other topics: hair, food, celebrity gossip.
As we gabbed and giggled, I couldn’t get my mind off the stunning information I’d learned about Kelli’s marriage. And I hoped with all my heart that Hollis wasn’t cheating.
… But I couldn’t deny the nagging feeling that my best friend was right. Kelli wasn’t negative by nature. She had a very lighthearted approach to life, and an optimistic disposition. It was just layered over a solid foundation of realism.
Time passed so quickly. I was almost late picking up my son. Gathering my things, reality hit me all over again. I was headed home, to an angry, detached husband, for another evening of fast food, cold silence, and a sexless night in. Eerie tingles climbed up my arm as I considered the idea that he’d been texting his love and desire for another woman all day, while not even bothering to text me once.
“Don’t let it get to you.” Kelli patted my arm. She pulled me in for a hug. “It’s going to be okay, I promise. No matter what, please know I’m here for you.”
Her words did little to soothe me. Hollis was my world. My family was my life. I was dedicated to him, to us. I wanted another baby, and I’ve been waiting patiently for the time to be right.
I had no idea how I’d cope if he wasn’t in love with me anymore, because that meant having a daughter of my own would be out of the question.
“I know,” I replied, sullen. I turned the doorknob and sighed. “Thank you for all your support. I’ll text you after I pick up Jordan and get out the tub.”
I fished through my purse for my keys. I shook my head when I realized they were buried underneath a bunch of last week’s lipglosses. I meant to clean out my bag, but I’d never gotten around to it being my funk.
I clicked the locks on my green Kia Soul parked against the curb, fussing with myself, as I checked the heavy inventory in my bag. I cussed harder when I nearly tripped off the curb because I wasn’t paying attention. Instinctively, my hand fell on the hood of my car, and I screamed because the hot metal nearly scorched my palm.
“Stupid heat!” I hissed. I checked my palm to make sure I hadn’t given myself a serious burn as I hobbled lightly to the car.
That’s when I noticed them, a succulent bouquet of over two dozen roses, plush with silken petals, and solid, healthy green stems, laid across my windshield. Each crimson colored flower was a beauty in and of itself, all of them surprisingly crisp for being in the sun after I don’t know how many hours.
“Oh, my god,” I whispered. Grabbing the bouquet, I lifted them to my nose, letting the sultry essence of American red roses caress my senses. The craftsmanship of the bouquet was far superior to any I’d seen at the local supermarket, letting me know this wasn’t a random gesture of last minute affection.
“Kelli! Kelli!” I squealed loudly, running to bang on her door without any care. I was making a scene, and I’d normally be embarrassed, but this was different. Hollis’ tender surprise filled me with an inexplicable high. It was perfectly timed, especially considering I’d spent my day fearing the worst of him.
“Natalia, what is going – Oooh! Those are beautiful!” Kelli’s voice transformed from borderline irritated to complete shock when she took in the flowers.
“I know, right?” I beamed, holding them out for her inspection. “Hollis left these on my windshield. He must have remembered I was off work today and put them there to surprise me!”
She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Doesn’t he know leaving beautiful flowers like these on the windshield will destroy them sooner? Especially in this hot sun?! Men!”
“These had to cost a small fortune. They’re nothing like the ones you find at Kroger,” I said, blushing all over again.
“Definitely not,” she agreed, admiring a silky petal with her fingertip.