Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
Stand the Test of Time
The last two weeks had been hell.
Lorielle drove to what used to be Cup of Jo.
That bitch Tara not only burned a business to the ground, but she took away a dream, memories, a legacy, and all over a breakup.
Though Tara was sentenced to three years in jail and fined ten thousand dollars, Lorielle felt like that still wasn’t enough.
She would be counting down the days until she touched down.
However, Lorielle would trade her most valuable possession if her husband didn’t have to go through what he was going through.
Benny was taking it hard. So were his parents.
Mr. B had put his blood, sweat, and tears into that place, and Benny felt like it was his fault instead of who was really to blame.
What made things worse was he still had to be business-minded and focus on the other location and the distribution center.
Lorielle tried to be understanding, but her husband wasn’t himself.
He was bitter, disconnected, and rightfully so, but he was pushing her away instead of embracing her support.
that triggered her. She hated to make this situation about her, but she was fighting.
She would communicate with him. Let him know how his behavior was making her feel and hopefully they could talk and come up with a solution.
Now, if that didn’t work, she knew herself. She was going to check out. She had spent years in an awful marriage, and she wouldn’t continue in a second one that showed signs of being like the first.
She pulled her car into the parking lot, and sure enough Benny’s car was there.
Lorielle watched Benny for a second. Looking at him walk on the rubbish of what used to be his business was heartbreaking. Her heart was reaching out to him, but he was closed off. She didn’t know how to help his mood.
It was killing her because she was his wife. She was supposed to be able to make everything better.
“Benny.” She approached him cautiously.
“Lorielle.” He didn’t even look up at her. “I can’t right now. I just want to be alone.”
A month after they got married, she moved into his house. When she did, he told her his house was finally a home. Yet, over the last two weeks, it hadn’t felt like much of a home. Benny had barely been there, and when he was, it was to shower and sleep.
“Benny, let me be there for you. This can’t be how we start our marriage off.”
“A marriage you really didn’t want to be in,” he snapped.
She recoiled. Yes, she had been a little hesitant about their relationship, but she jumped into their marriage with an open mind and heart. “What?”
“Nothing. Lorielle, I told you, not right now. Go home, and I’ll be there in a minute.”
“No, I heard you, and what you’re not about to do is throw that in my face. Ever since I said yes, I’ve put my past aside and showed up for our marriage. I know you’re going through something, but you don’t get to push me away.”
He sighed. “All I’m asking for is time.”
“It’s been two weeks.”
“Well, it’s not enough time!” he yelled.
“What? Are you ready to throw in the towel? How long did you give your ex-husband time to find out he wasn’t really in love with you?
Two, three years? You stayed in a marriage you knew wasn’t working for way too long, and I can’t even get two weeks without you ready to call it quits. ”
“Fuck you, Benny, and I bet I won’t make that same mistake.”
She raced to her car. For the first time, Benny didn’t chase after her, and that cut her deeper than his words.
“Elle, listen to me.” Jo followed Lorielle around as she gathered everything she owned and tossed it in various bags.
“You can say whatever you want, Jo, but I’m still leaving. One thing I learned was to leave at the first sign of disrespect.”
“Is my brother’s behavior disgusting? Yes! Does he deserve grace? Yes… Come on, you know this is not how marriage works. He’s going through a lot, and he needs you more now than ever.”
Lorielle shook her head. “This was a mistake. I knew this was going to happen. I knew he would switch up!” She slammed some clothes into a bag.
“He’s just going through something right now. This hit our family hard.”
“Is it so bad to where he can’t be civil? He said some hurtful things.”
“He didn’t mean it, Elle. Benny loves you more than life.”
“You don’t get it! He let me walk away.” Lorielle dropped to the bed, dropping her face in her palms.
Benny always came for her. He was always there.
Jo sat beside her, rubbing her back in firm circles. “I know it hurts. I know. Soon he’s going to realize how stupid he’s been acting.”
“I just want my husband back.”
“You hear that, Elle? Your husband. This is just a rough patch. It’s easy to stay when things are good.
It’s when trouble comes that really tests your relationship.
Now, if you genuinely believe Benny is not the man you thought he was, then I’ll help you pack, but if he’s the man that you know and love then wait it out.
I promise there’s a big, bright light at the end of this tunnel. ”
Jo gave her a lot to think about.