The Woman He Married

by Ford, Julie

  With Gina still trailing a few paces behind, Brian walked Josie to her van where he reiterated, “We really could use someone like you. You’re a very talented lawyer, you know.”

  “Thanks, but you know how busy I am right now. I mean today alone is going to be crazy,” Josie said, barely acknowledging the compliment. The sting of being so publicly reminded of just how disconnected she and John had become was trumping any other sentiment at the moment.

  “Right—that dinner tonight,” Brian said with a shake of his head. “First it was a minivan…” He whistled through his teeth. “And now the former environmental activist, AKA Josie McClain, is sitting down to eat with a toxic polluter.”

  Josie bit her lip to hide her embarrassment. Up to this point she had successfully managed to avoid this subject with Brian. “I know you must think I’m a traitor. There seems to be no limits to the irony that’s become my life,” she admitted, and then attempted to change the subject. “And besides, everyone knows the first unofficial rule of motherhood…” she motioned to the van. “…is that all mothers must drive a car that seats more than five, looks appropriately like a box, and consequently sucks any remaining amount of sexiness permanently from its driver.”

  Brian made a quick appraisal of Josie’s fitted yoga pants. “I’m not sure I would agree with that last part,” he said, and then he fell silent, staring at her with those brown eyes.

  The same eyes she’d known so well, so long ago. The eyes that had always been able to look right through her and know exactly what she was feeling. Then Brian’s lips parted into a crooked grin, the same adoring smile that had always made his eyes twinkle just a little. Josie swallowed hard, pushing down her desire to return the affection, reminding herself that she was a married woman.

  After holding her gaze a moment longer, he said, “Just so long as you don’t start paintin’ your face orange while yellin’ ‘War Eagle’.”

  “You know I would never.” Josie gave her nose a repugnant wrinkle. “The Judge raised me better than that,” she said, knowing that this was one Southern tradition she did understand. After all, every resident of the State of Alabama knew they were duty bound to swear an oath of allegiance to either the University of Alabama or AuburnUniversity. The blood “rolling” through her veins was now, and always would be, AlabamaCrimson.

  With a chuckle and a “See y’all later,” Brian turned and headed for his car.

  Josie watched him go, enjoying the view. Sure, I’m married, but I’m not dead.

  “He’s still got it so bad for you, girl,” Gina said with a knowing smile. “And after all this time.”

  “Oh please.” Josie waved Gina off. “We have to get going. We have to be at the school in forty-five minutes.”

  After climbing into her van, Josie turned the key, and hesitated, giving herself a moment to think. Could Brian still be in love with me after all these years? How would my life be different if I’d stayed with him? Mulling the subject a minute longer, she knew one thing for sure: she wouldn’t be sleeping alone every night even though there was a man lying next to her in the same bed. But she hadn’t chosen Brian—she’d chosen John. Some days it was hard to remember why.

  Closing her eyes, she could almost smell the damp, stale air blowing from the air-conditioner in John’s cheap apartment and feel the brush of his breath across her face. Leaning her head back, she let her mind drift to that day. She was lying on her back in a pair of John’s boxer shorts and a tank top. Next to her, he was lying on his side in some house pants, his bare chest glistening softly from the humidity.

  John’s head was propped up on one elbow as he quietly watched her. With his other arm reaching across Josie’s body, their hands moved together randomly, fingers engaged in a graceful dance. Contented just to lie next to him, she inhaled, breathing in the masculine scent of his skin. To her father, a judge on the State Court of Civil Appeals, John was a valued and trusted law clerk. To Josie, he was the most charismatic and exciting man she’d ever met. Politically, they couldn’t have been more different, but when they made love, sparks of a more ardent nature flew. Yet Josie knew that soon the summer would end, and she’d return to California, law school, and…Brian.

  In the tranquil silence, John said, “Marry me.”

  Josie giggled, thinking she’d heard him wrong. “What?”

  “Marry me,” he repeated. John’s expression never wavered; his gaze locked with hers, waiting for a response.

  “You’re crazy. I hardly know you.” She laughed more timidly this time, watching John more closely, trying to read his expression.

  “Oh, I think you know me just fine,” he said with a wry smile.

  Josie felt her cheeks grow hot. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “I know what you meant,” John said, his fingers leaving hers to glide up her arm. “If you don’t marry me, I’m almost certain the Judge will personally see to my untimely demise.” His eyes showed a glint of folly.

  “A small price to pay,” Josie said flippantly.

  His fingers continued to dance over her chest and down between her breasts, leaving a trail of heat that penetrated her very soul. “And, I can’t imagine ever wanting another woman more than I want you right now.”

  Josie’s heart started to pound. “You’re…serious.”

  “I’m asking you to be my wife, Jocelyn,” he said, sliding his body on top of hers. His emerald eyes beckoned her to answer. “Will you? Will you…be my wife?”

  Never in her life until then, or since, had she felt so wholly drawn to another person.

  “I loved him…I’ll always love him,” she whispered.

  The memory held only a moment longer until the sound of impatient honking caused Josie’s eyes to snap open. Someone wanted her spot. Sighing, she knew she shouldn’t look back but forward, focusing on today and the reality of what lay ahead. Releasing the emergency brake, she had little choice but to aim the van down the road stretching before her.

  * * * *

  Still in her workout clothes, Josie rushed off to the dry cleaners to pick up John’s dress shirt for the dinner that night.

  Although located in the heart of Birmingham, the community where they lived was homey with tree-lined streets and quaint little shops. Just to the right of the cleaners sat the local jewelry shop—home to the most beautiful bracelet Josie had ever seen.

  It was a tennis bracelet with pear-shaped gemstones accented with delicate princess cut diamonds. Love at first sight. She’d been subtly hinting to John, since before Christmas, that she wanted it by leaving advertisements lying around in places where he would see them and making random comments about its beauty.

  “I am just going to take a quick peek,” she told herself, zipping up her hoodie to shield her body from the cold, west wind.

  Once inside, she felt her pulse quicken with anticipation as she moved to the glass fixture where the bracelet had been housed. Looking down into the case, she saw that…the bracelet was gone. Her breath caught abruptly in her throat with the temporary state of panic that was spreading throughout her body.

  “Come to gloat, I see.” Roy came out of the back room, walking toward her with a wry smile. He was thin and balding with closely shaved hair. His thin frame hosted a ribbed maroon turtleneck and dark gray trousers made of smooth fabric that almost had a sheen to it. His gate was graceful; his speech deliberate, but soft.

  “Let me see it,” he said, reaching out to take hold of Josie’s wrist.

  Confused at to what he was talking about, she allowed him to take her wrist. Pushing up the sleeve of Josie’s hoodie, revealing her naked wrist, he then observed the puzzled look on her face and said, “Oops.”

  Replacing Josie’s hand on the counter, he looked embarrassed.

  “Promise me you’ll act surprised,” he pled, while moving his head up and down in a “yes” motion, eyes wide for effect.

  Josie wrinkled her brow, trying to make sense of what had just happened, and then when the “
light” went on, a smile slowly started to take shape on her face. Her head began to mimic his in agreement. Without another word she turned to leave, feeling so excited that she almost forgot to pick up John’s shirt before heading home to change.

  * * * *

  Dressed in her favorite v-necked sweater, white collared shirt, and jeans, Josie was feeling a renewed excitement for the day. She glanced down as she drove, trying to imagine what the bracelet would look like on her wrist. When will he give it to me? Maybe that night after the fabulous dinner that would surely wow his campaign staff and most important contributor. Maybe he’s saving it for Valentine’s Day? Unconsciously, a smile materialized across her face as she raced to play rehearsal.

  When she pulled into the school parking lot, Josie saw that most of the spaces were full of minivans and SUVs. Modern versions of the station wagon, built to carry a gazillion children when the majority of the owners really only had one or two.

  Early in her homemaking career Josie had learned from the other stay-at-home moms that part of her “job description”—or the second unofficial rule of motherhood—was to be involved in as many of her children’s activities as humanly possible. Always the over-achiever, she’d volunteered to design all of the costumes for Bobbie’s third-grade play.

  Entering the school, Josie could feel the excitement of the much-anticipated production. Lori Watson, the third-grade representative and volunteer mom, declared that this year’s production would go down in the history of the school as the best ever.

  They were performing a play called “Jessica and the Vegetable Surprise”, a story about a little girl who wouldn’t touch her vegetables, and so the vegetables got together to coax her into eating them.

  With Moms buzzing here and there, Josie snaked her way through and headed for the auditorium. As she did, she passed a small group of women huddled together, looking at her as they spoke softly to each other. Not that she was self-conscious or anything, but Josie assumed they were talking about her.

  Forever the rebel, Josie gave the group an easy smile and a sociable wave. “Morning, ladies,” she said, letting just a smidge of contempt rim her greeting.

  In Southern society, members communicate through what Josie liked to call “polite conversation.” In other words, try not to say too much or too little, make it sound sweet as honey and you pretty much got it. Also, everyone knew that talking bad about someone was okay, as long as you followed it up with “bless her heart.”

  Josie was well acquainted with this group since they’d all grown up together. Some were older, some younger, but all born and bred right here. Around here families didn’t move around much, so girls grew up through high school together, then attended college, joined a sorority, dated all the same guys, decided on one to marry, and then moved back, had children, and started the cycle all over again.

  In the center of the group stood Lori Watson—a short, dark-haired woman still dressed in her tennis clothes.

  “My, Lori, don’t you look sporty today?” Josie added with a hint of sarcasm.

  As Josie passed, Lori looked her up and down with black eyes that never seemed to smile. Her thin lips formed a rigid line below her upturned nose and twitched subtly.

  Inside the auditorium Josie spotted Gina dressed in a white cable-knit sweater, khaki cargo pants, and Birkenstocks, her hair pulled back into a messy bun, standing at the foot of the stage conversing with one of the children from the play.

  Ugh, Gina knows she isn’t allowed to talk to the kids, Josie rushed to intercept. Gina’s abruptness didn’t go over well with the children most of the time. Hell, she could easily reduce a grown man to tears.

  “You’re late,” Gina said, when Josie came skidding to a stop at her side just as the rehearsal was called to order.

  “Yeah, I got a little distracted,” Josie responded with an I-know-something-you-don’t-know smile.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Well, you know the bracelet I’ve been wanting?” Josie paused for effect. “John bought it for me,” she finished with a giggle of excitement.

  Gina didn’t respond. She just stood there looking at her friend with her brow furrowed like Josie just said something totally insane.

  “You know, the one at Roy’s,” Josie explained.

  “I know the bracelet…but what makes you think John bought it?”

  “When I checked on it, as usual, Roy thought John had already given it to me,” Josie said over her shoulder as she hopped onto the stage to situate her new prop before rehearsal began.

  “Uh, huh,” was Gina’s only reply.

  When all the children had filed onto the stage and taken their rightful places, a nervous hush let everyone know it was time for the rehearsal to begin. Standing off to stage right, Josie and Gina fiddled with the costumes, straightening and fluffing everyone before they went out. The costumes looked amazing, with the children’s faces peeping out from Brussels sprouts, clumps of spinach, carrots, and the like. There were also three bananas. Josie had designed the costumes out of thin yellow foam that closed at the top like a banana skin, and then on cue the top opened to reveal an inner foam cone made to look like perfectly ripe banana flesh. Just like the vegetables, a hole in the front revealed the players’ shining faces when the peeling began.

  Pamela Sanders, Mom in charge of the production, clasped her hands together and exclaimed, “The costumes are just perfect!” Josie and Gina both beamed with pride as they heard the other volunteer moms agree.

  Sliding one of the banana costumes over her son Bobbie’s auburn hair, Josie asked, “Are you nervous?”

  “Momma,” Bobbie moaned, his grey-green eyes glancing tentatively toward his friends. Gina’s son Luke, and Brandon from their class were playing bananas as well.

  When the narrator’s voice said, “Yuck! Jessica had eaten all her sprouts and looked to see what the surprise was all about,” it was Bobby’s turn on stage.

  Then, when the narrator said, “All the week she’d done her best and Mom and Dad were most impressed. With a hoot and a shout, she jumped to her feet when she saw the special treat,” the bananas would open.

  Josie felt the quickening of her heart with anticipation. Surely the other moms’ll be thoroughly impressed. She glanced around for Lori and then when she saw her looking, tried not to appear too smug.

  However, when the yellow tops peeled back, something didn’t look right.

  Josie’s thudding heart seemed to skid to a sudden stop.

  She’d entrusted the painting of the bananas to one of the other moms and instead of the banana being a simple, bland cream color, it was more of a pale pink.

  Josie ventured a glance at Gina, who appeared to be equally perplexed.

  “Not exactly the right color for a banana, huh?” Josie wondered out loud.

  “Do the words ‘phallic symbol’ mean anything to you?” Gina said.

  “Lord, have mercy!” Josie eyes turned to saucers. With her hand over her mouth, she stifled a laugh that was threatening to be entirely too loud.

  Gina, who was trying to control her laughter as well, whispered, “This is going to be one hell of a third-grade play.”

  Composing herself, Josie realized she had to get the kids off the stage before anyone else noticed. She jumped out in front of the three little bananas and ushered them off. “We have to fix this before tomorrow,” she told Gina while taking a subtle look around to see if there were any horrified stares. She felt a wash of relief when she saw that all the adults were distractedly engaged in one form of preparation or another. With no gasps or pointing fingers, it appeared that she was in the clear, for now anyway.

  “I say we leave it, and see if anyone else notices,” Gina said, her eyes dancing with amusement.

  “Oh, I think they will,” said Josie, as she hurriedly helped the children out of their costumes.

  “What’s the matter, Momma…is there something wrong with our costumes?” Bobbie asked, when he overheard.

/>   “Yeah, they just look a little too much like your daddy, is all,” Gina interjected as she removed Luke’s as well.

  Bobbie surveyed his recently-vacated costume. With one eyebrow raised, he said, “Say what?”

  “Never mind,” Josie said, eyeballing her friend. “Miss Gina has lost her senses as usual. Better go find the rest of your class and I’ll see you after school.”

  Bobbie shrugged to his co-stars, who returned the gesture before they headed off to join a group of students down in the auditorium.

  In her pocket, Josie’s cell phone vibrated. She dug it out and flipped it open while shooting Gina a disapproving glare. But Josie couldn’t stop her eyes from smiling—it was kind of funny.

  But before she could get the phone to her ear and say “Hello” she heard voices shouting, mixed with static and what sounded like nothing short of chaos.

  “Joe, is that you?” Josie spoke loudly in order to be heard over the commotion while putting a finger to the opposite ear, hoping it would help her hear more clearly.

  “Who’s Joe?” Gina asked.

  “The caterer,” Josie said, and turned away so she could focus solely on what he was saying.

  “I’m not going to be able to cater your dinner tonight,” Joe’s voice crackled.

  “What do you mean, you can’t—”

  “There’s been a fire,” he yelled over the confusion. “Total loss—”

  “But…not at all?” she continued, feeling her heart rate increase as her hands started to shake.

  “Didn’t you hear me? I said everything’s gone.”

  “I understand what ‘total loss’ means, but—” Josie felt the room starting to tilt on end when she realized that…

  “He hung up.”

  Gina touched Josie’s shoulder. “What happened?”

  “R-restaurant. N-no food tonight…fire…total loss,” Josie stuttered.

  “Is Joe all right?”

  Josie nodded. “Yeah, I think so. I mean, how okay can he be when his restaurant just went up in flames?”