Chapter 22
EVERY TIME MARLOW has practice I walk the hill.
It starts getting easier each time. I also walk on the treadmill and even try my hand at running on it.
After a month of exercise and making healthier choices, I’ve lost ten pounds.
It isn’t a very noticeable change, but Gwen says she can see the difference in my face and hips.
We are doing great together. It’s nice to have someone to encourage me, and when Gwen wants to quit, I remind her of our goal.
Marlow’s first soccer game of the new season is today.
It’s a Saturday, so no classes, and although it’s a grey, chilly day, my mood is really positive.
Usually grey days make me want to curl into a ball and feel sorry for myself.
Gwen has the weekend off, so she and I place our folding chairs on the sidelines, ready to root for Marlow’s team, the Green Goblins.
Marlow’s pumped for her first game, and even Kale’s excited to watch his sister.
I watch Norman approach her and touch the green ribbon I tied in her hair this morning. She pushes his hand off her hair and struts away. He gazes after her in confusion, and I laugh to myself. I love that girl. She’s my inspiration on so many levels.
“How about we take the kids out to dinner tonight?” Gwen suggests. “It’ll be fun to do something different.”
“Yeah.” I smile. “Something different sounds great!”
“Mom, can I have a dollar for the concession stand?” Kale asks.
I reach into my purse and pull out a single. He runs off in the direction of the sugar hut.
A cool breeze makes me decide to put my mittens on my hands. I hate it when my hands are cold. I turn to the left and right, watching for Grandma Kay, but she isn’t here yet. “Hey, do you mind if I ask Kay to come along?” I ask Gwen.
“Of course not. I love that woman!”
I focus on Marlow as she practices kicking balls into the goal. She smiles brightly and waves her hands all around as if trying to get someone’s attention. I think she’s spotted Grandma Kay, so I follow her gaze to my left, expecting to see her waving back.
I actually feel the blood drain from my face. Marlow is waving to her father and his female friend. Marlow turns to point out her father to me, and I nod my head sheepishly. Gwen sees Marlow wave to me and glances up to see Mike and his new girl.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Gwen states as she glares in Mike’s direction.
He’s holding her hand and walking straight toward me.
She has short red hair and she’s skinny and stylish.
She’s fair skinned and strides with complete confidence.
I don’t remember ever seeing him so happy.
Need to breathe. I have a sudden craving for chocolate and potato chips.
After I found out he introduced her to the kids without talking to me first, we had a small fight on the phone.
I’m pissed he brought her here and didn’t bother asking me if it was okay. He’s learned nothing.
“Hey, Gwen.” Mike waves as if they are old friends. Gwen’s mouth drops to the floor in utter shock.
“Hi, Everly. How are you?” he asks.
I manage a small gesture and a nod.
“Everly, I’d like to introduce you to Krista. Krista, this is Marlow and Kale’s mom, Everly.”
She holds out her hand to me and I glare into Mike’s eyes. He seems to find nothing inappropriate with introducing me to the woman he asked me to pretend to be in bed.
“So, you’re Krista,” I state with a smirk. “I assume you work in Mike’s office?”
Her hand drops as she glances warily toward Mike. Mike’s eyes widen in warning. “Yes, we do work together. How did you know?” she asks.
“Oh, he mentioned you once or twice while we were in bed. Glad to know his fantasy is becoming his reality.”
Gwen chokes out a laugh as Krista turns and bites her lips questioningly toward Mike.
“God, Everly. I wouldn’t have introduced her to you if I thought you were still going to be immature, petty, and jealous.”
“I’m not jealous in the least, Mike. I am pissed that, once again, you brought her to something for the kids without asking me first. But I guess I shouldn’t expect you to do the right thing.
” I stand and hold my hand out to her as I remove my mitten.
“It’s nice to meet you, Krista. Enjoy my leftovers. ”
I sit back down and see Gwen purse her lips. A small smile threatens to spread across her face.
Mike begins to speak as the whistle blows, so I interrupt him. “Mike, the game’s about to start. I’d offer you a chair, but I’m saving one for—”
“Did I miss anything?” Grandma Kay asks as she approaches, searching for Marlow on the field.
Gwen and I both stand to hug her. She notices Mike out of the corner of her eye. She glances him up and down, paying extra attention to his hand intertwined with Krista’s.
“Hello, Mike. How are you?” she asks politely.
“I’m good, Kay, thanks for asking.” He glares at me before he and Krista head toward the bleachers. Throughout the game, I catch Krista watching me. It secretly thrills me to know she wonders about me. The craving for chocolate remains as strong as ever.
Kale returns and spends his time alternating between sitting with us and sitting with his dad. Poor kid. He’s trying so hard to be what he thinks we need him to be.
After the game, Marlow runs to Mike and Krista. I try to pretend it doesn’t bother me, but I feel Grandma Kay’s hand on my shoulder and I’m aware she recognizes my heartache.
“You know, I’m still waiting for you to visit. That door needs to be painted.”
“I think it’s wrong that he brought her here and worse yet that he introduced her to me.”
Grandma Kay listens intently. “You feel what you feel, but it’s not going to stop him from seeing her. You can’t control what he does; you can only control your reaction to it. My guess is you’ve given them plenty to discuss.”
My head falls to the side in hearing her logic. She’s right as usual. I drop my purse and take a step, reminding myself I need to move forward. Kale follows closely behind as I wander toward Mike, Krista, and Marlow.
Mike and Krista’s heads turn toward me abruptly, probably in preparation for more negativity.
“Mom, did you see my goal?” Marlow asks.
“Yes, baby. It was awesome!” I say enthusiastically.
“Krista, I’d like to start over if that’s okay. I wasn’t expecting to see Mike here, much less you, and it took me by surprise.”
She glances to Mike’s shocked expression and smiles understandingly at me. “Of course. I will make sure Mike discusses my presence with you from now on.”
I nod my head to her, ignoring Mike. “Okay, kids, let’s get your stuff and get ready to go home.”
I wave back to them as I walk away and notice Mike staring after me. It’s clear that I surprised him, and it makes me feel good. I don’t want him to think he knows me. I’m not who I was when we were married, and I’ll never be that woman again.