to Nikolai and the caring way he looked after me. His appreciation was huge. He couldn’t seem to do enough for me.
We finished our drinks, and then Sean paid the waiter. We left together and stood outside for a couple of minutes.
“Where are you parked?” Sean asked.
“Around the corner.” I’d been fortunate to find a spot relatively close.
“I’m across the street,” he said, and leaning forward, he kissed my cheek.
I walked alone to my car as Sean looked both ways and then jogged to the other side of the road. We took off in different directions as we had most of the years of our marriage.
My attorney mailed the final divorce papers and all that was left to do was sign my name. I read them over, even though I knew my lawyer had already scrutinized every detail. I set the thick manila envelope aside.
When I married Jake I thought it would be forever, until death do us part. I believed with every fiber of my being that we would grow old together. I took my vows seriously. In the five years we’d been married I never once looked at another man. Oh, I admired a few—who doesn’t?—but never with any intention of doing anything more. My appreciation was more cursory glances than actual interest. My faith and trust in my husband were total.
I could remember once shortly after our wedding, Jake and I talked about his father and the fact that Sean had often strayed. Jake had seemed appalled and embarrassed by his father’s behavior. Yet it seemed that barely five years into our marriage Jake had fallen into the same pattern of cheating on his wife. Cheating on me.
With a heavy heart I collected Owen before leaving for work at the Portland High School. I’d been fortunate enough to have gotten a three-month substitute job teaching a sophomore English class for a teacher who’d broken her leg and required surgery. Mrs. Miller had taken a three-month leave of absence.
I was happy to get the job, particularly for the extra income. I needed a new car, but wanted to save for a substantial down payment before I seriously started looking.
I hadn’t been at the school more than a few days when I discovered Kaylene Nyquist was a freshman there. We passed each other in the hallway one day and I immediately recognized her. Not wanting to embarrass Rocco’s daughter by singling her out, I smiled. She did a double take and moved on. The second time we happened upon each other she waved. I smiled and waved back. I wanted to ask her about the dance, but waited for her to approach me.
When school was released for the day I checked my text messages and saw that I had one from Shawntelle Maynor.
I didn’t get the job.
I sighed with regret. I’d connected with Shawntelle. I loved her wit and the way she viewed life. That girl called a spade a spade and didn’t hold back. I wanted to hear every single detail, so I pressed the button to connect us. Shawntelle answered after the first ring.
“What happened?” I asked. She’d told me how prepared she’d felt after the practice interviews.
“I thought I was going to blow them away, too.”
“Oh Shawntelle, I’m so sorry. Don’t let this discourage you, you hear me?” I hated the thought of her getting down on herself because the employer didn’t appreciate her potential. All she needed was a chance to prove herself.
“Those suckers are losing out,” Shawntelle insisted.
“Yes, they are. How about I take you to lunch on Saturday and you can tell me all about it?”
“You’re treating?”
“That’s what I said.”
“Okay, sounds good.”
“Great. I’ll see you Saturday.” We set up a time and place. Going out would mean that Leanne would need to watch Owen. She’d do it because I’d let her talk me into going out to dinner with Jake. I’d hesitated, unsure seeing Jake was the right thing to do, but in the end I’d agreed. I knew he was hurting, but then so was I. Leanne was in a difficult position, wanting the best for both of us. The only reason I decided to go was because Leanne had asked.
Shawntelle and I chatted for a few minutes longer. I’d started toward the teacher’s parking lot when I heard someone call my name. I turned around and saw that it was Kaylene Nyquist.
I held up until she joined me. “Hey,” I said.
“Hey.” She clenched her hand around the strap of her backpack