Mrs. Miracle Page 0,41

the guest bedroom when it was apparent they were both miserable.

If she hadn't had Maggie to talk to, she didn't know what she would have done. Her best friend had tried to help, but all she could do was listen. If ever Sharon needed a sympathetic ear, it was now. They'd gone shopping, and Maggie had taken her to lunch afterward. When she'd heard about Jerry and the cookie incident, she'd been furious with him.

As soon as he finished his breakfast, Jerry left the house. Sharon watched him leave. The problems within their marriage were compounding instead of simplifying. Maggie had listened, and although she hadn't said it, the subject was there. Divorce. It had happened to some of their friends. Sharon just had never expected it would happen to Jerry and her.

For the first time since she'd spoken her vows, Sharon seriously considered contacting an attorney. With a heavy heart, she sat down, opened the local phone directory, and ran her fingers down the long list of lawyers' names, shocked by how many claimed to specialize in divorce cases.

Divorce. What an ugly word it was, even uglier with a forty-year investment in what had once been a satisfying marriage. But something had to be done, Sharon realized. They couldn't continue the way they were, constantly at odds, working against one another. Their home had become a battlefield.

She stared at the door. Jerry had walked out without telling her where he was going or what time he'd return. Sharon had a general idea of how he kept himself occupied. He golfed a couple of days a week, played pinochle with his cronies, and coached basketball for a group of junior high kids.

She had her own life, her own interests, her own friends. It would be difficult, but she could learn to live without Jerry. She might as well be alone now - what they shared wasn't worthy of the word "marriage." Their love had become a contest of wills and frequent battles.

Depressed and unsure if she was doing the right thing, she closed the phone book. As strained as their relationship was, she loved her husband and was convinced that in his own way he loved her.

The house was empty and silent. In an effort to lift her mood, she put on a Christmas album, turning up the volume as she finished with the housework. The cheerful, happy music was infectious, and she had the sudden desire to go shopping. With Christmas less than two weeks away, she still had several things she wanted to buy for the twins. Generally Jerry went Christmas shopping with her, but she would go without him this year. Just as she was visiting Seth and the grandkids for the holidays alone.

The rest of the morning proved to be productive, and her spirits lifted considerably. She wished Maggie could join her, but her best friend had made other plans. Her arms loaded down with packages, Sharon headed for the restaurant in Nordstrom. Their Chinese chicken salad was one of her favorites.

A line had formed outside the restaurant, and as she stood awaiting her turn, Sharon's eyes wandered over the crowded room. By chance, she caught a glimpse of long red hair. Maggie. This was a pleasant surprise. She was just about to raise her hand and call out to her friend when she noticed Maggie wasn't dining alone. She was with Jerry.

Jerry.

The two were deeply involved in conversation, their heads close together.

Sharon felt as if someone had kicked her in the stomach. The classic scenario: her husband and her best friend. Blindly she whirled around, nearly colliding with a young mother pushing a stroller.

"I'm sorry," she murmured. "So sorry." Escaping before Maggie and Jerry saw her was of the utmost importance. She all but stumbled out of the store.

Inside the mall, she stood still and silent as her mind processed what her eyes had seen. People flowed past her like rushing water scooting around a large rock. All at once everything that had happened between her and her husband made sense.

Everything added up.

Jerry and Maggie.

Seth was busy tabulating a long list of numbers when the phone on his desk pealed loudly, breaking his concentration. He frowned and absently reached for the receiver, irritated with the interruption. He wanted to get away from the office on time that evening, and it had nothing to do with meeting Reba. All right, so it had everything to do with Reba.

"Hello," he muttered.

"Seth? I hope it's all right that