Bereft - Jennifer Foor Page 0,5

would find a way to make things work. He’d take the stress off me, and convince me we were better off, somehow, someway.

For the first time since our daughter moved out of the house, I truly needed him. He was the only person in the world to make me feel better about this disaster.

Chapter 2

Rachel

It wasn’t until I made it to the train station when I really lost my shit. I sunk down on a vacant bench and bellowed out sadness. Several people stopped to ask if I needed assistance, but I waved them away from me without explanation. They couldn’t help me, not even my husband could. He’d be as upset about this news as I was. For the time being, I had to keep it to myself¸ at least until I could break the news to him face to face.

My train ride home was a blur. I spent most of my time convincing myself I’d be okay. I mean, my husband made enough to pay our bills. We would make it work, no matter what we had to cut back on. So long as we had each other, nothing could break us.

When I arrived at home, I noticed my husband’s vehicle parked the same way it’d been when I left earlier in the morning. He obviously hadn’t left to head to the office yet. It was difficult to step out of my vehicle and know I was the bearer of bad news.

I walked slowly toward the front door, struggling to get my key inside the hole once there. Finally the door opened, and all was quiet. I didn’t hear the normal sport’s network blaring from the family room, nor did I hear him on his phone. Since I wanted to check my face before searching him out, I headed into the half bath and used the facilities. At the same time, I heard voices coming from upstairs. I cracked the door because I swore I must have been mistaken, yet I was certain. My husband’s voice was predominant. It couldn’t be mistaken for another. The female voice was also familiar. I heard her giggling playfully while they carried on a conversation. Then it became quiet again.

Nothing, and I mean nothing, can describe how it feels to hear the sounds of your husband kissing another woman. As if my day hadn’t been destructive already, I felt my whole life falling apart in that instant. Fear swept over me, and a million different scenarios played through my mind.

Was he having an affair?

Did I know her?

How long had it been going on?

Was I so naïve I didn’t see a change in him?

What would happen next?

How would I survive?

How much would a divorce cost me?

Would I lose the support of my step-daughter if I left him?

Would she take his side?

Then there was the grief, and boy did it hurt.

How could he do this to me?

To us?

Why?

What had I done to deserve it?

When did our marriage start failing?

More playful banter could be heard echoing off the high ceilings in the foyer. I covered my mouth in disbelief. This was obviously a scandalous affair. The moans were louder, and I’d be an idiot not to recognize what my husband sounded like when he was getting off.

“Turn around.”

“Right here on the steps? Mr. Grayson, you’re a bad boy.” More giggles and thumping. “Twice in one day?”

“I can’t help it. You make me crazy.”

The resonances allowed me to envision it playing out. Bile rose to my throat, imagining my husband balls deep inside of another woman, if she could even be called that. I recognized that voice. I knew exactly who she was.

This child had grown up spending half her time at our house, going on vacations with us, and celebrating holidays. I’d purchased her a Christmas gift since she was ten years old. How could she come on to my husband? Had he come on to her? Was this a mutual attraction? How long had they been fucking around? Did she call him daddy? Did she want to?

The more my mind wandered, the harder it was to remain silent.

I sank down to the floor and began to sob again, this time for a whole different reason. Never in my life had I felt so lost, used, and abandoned. Before I knew it the powder room door was being opened all the way. Grayson stood there staring at me, his face red, hair disheveled, and top unbuttoned. Behind him was my daughter’s best friend, Kyla. I