“I’m behind at work.”
“So? You’re always behind at work.”
“Yeah, but this time there’s a major customer that wants to review their new supply terms on Monday morning, and I’m not even close. And before you ask what I’ve been doing all week, let me assure you that I’ve been working my tail off. There’s just a lot going on right now. It sucks, but it is what it is.”
“So that’s it?”
“That’s what?”
“The only reason you’re not coming.”
“Em…” I want to say more, but the words jam in my throat.
“What? Tell me what you’re thinking.”
When I sigh, I make sure it’s loud, so she can hear it through the phone. “There’s no way I can come this weekend. If I could, I would. But at the same time, we both know how it’s been lately between us. I don’t want to come all the way out there just to argue with you.”
“Then don’t.”
“I’m not.”
“I mean don’t argue. Come, but don’t argue with me.”
“I already said, I can’t come. As far as arguing goes, it’s hard not to when you constantly want to pick fights.”
“That’s not true.”
“It is, and you know it. You’re either picking a fight or you’re nagging me about this or that. And frankly, I’ve had it.”
“Oh, now you’ve had it? What is that supposed to mean?”
“It doesn’t mean anything, other than that I’m not coming this weekend. I’m staying here, catching up on work, and not fighting with you.”
The line goes silent again. The next sound is that of my wife crying. I knew this conversation would lead to tears.
“What…what should I tell the kids?” she whimpers.
“Tell them I’m sorry and I’ll be there next weekend.”
“We can’t keep going on like this, Dell.”
“What do you mean?”
“We can’t just keep pretending that something is going to change. Yes, Ann has a heart problem, but right now my heart is broken too! And we’re not doing anything to fix it.”
“We’re surviving. That’s the best we can do right now.”
“No it’s not! We’re not surviving…I’m not even sure there is a ‘we’ left anymore. I feel like I’m alone in this. And so are you. So if this is really the best we can do…then…”
I have to take a moment to process what she just said. If my ears heard right, I think I’m going to be sick. “So what, Emily, are you saying ‘it’s over’?”
“I’m not saying that at all. I’m just saying…I don’t know. I think maybe it’s good that you’re not coming tonight, so you can figure things out. Maybe we both need a little more time away from each other to decide how important this marriage is to us and if we’re willing to do what it takes to get things back on track.”
“How do we even do that?”
“Just give our marriage some thought, Dell. Before we try to fix anything, you’ve got to know if I’m worth it to you. I’ll see you when you’ve figured that out.”
Emily clicks off without saying good-bye.
I hold the phone to my ear a second longer, only to hear a second click.
Someone else was listening…
Chapter 24
Ann
I SHOULD BE SLEEPING. I wish I was! Bree is snoring away on the bunk above me, blissfully unaware of what I heard when I went downstairs earlier to get a drink.
I should never have picked up the phone. After I did, I should never have listened…
Now I might not sleep at all tonight. I bet Mom won’t either. She’s probably bawling her eyes out this very second. Maybe Cade’s down there awake too, quietly listening to our mother consoling herself.
I’m sad about the whole situation with my parents, but right now I’m also kind of upset with them. I don’t think they understand how lucky they are simply to have fallen in love. What a miracle to find someone you love and who loves you back!
Note to self: if you somehow make it to adulthood and find the man of your dreams and have beautiful kids, don’t blow it being mad at each other for stupid little things.
Sometimes my parents make me so mad I could scream! If Bree weren’t sleeping, maybe I would. Then again, that little sneak went and tried to get all flirty with Tanner behind my back. Maybe she deserves to be woken up…
Hearing the way my parents talk to each other makes me wonder how it used to be between them, back when they first met. Did Mom think Dad was cute the way that I think Tanner is cute? Did she feel electricity when he hugged her? Did she spend at least half of every minute thinking about him?