by Nita Johnson
“Yeah, I wouldn't ever want to cross her. Now I'm hoping Willow comes through for me and manages to get her nan to hold off making me any thank you presents. Thank you cookies to be more precise.”
“Were those the cookies that you used to prop up the wonky table at your Aunt's before you fixed it?” Travis inquired. I could still hear laughter in his voice. I'm glad he found this whole situation funny.
“Got it in one. Least they came in useful for something, right?”
They'd indeed come in useful; stopping that end table of my aunt’s from rocking every time I put a drink down on it.
“I can't wait to tell her how useful you found her baking,” he baited me.
I looked him square in the eye. “You tell her anything of the sort and I'll tell her that you want to take private baking lessons. I saw her look you over. I can guarantee Betty would be more than happy to show you her skills,” I threatened him. I could see him gulp nervously. I'd gotten to him, there would be no more teasing coming from him about Betty again. Score one for me.
“So, Willow is a hottie.” Travis changed the subject quickly obviously wanting to direct the flow of conversation away from Betty.
“Can't say I've really noticed.” I tried to bluff him but the look he threw me said more than his words ever could. He knew I was bullshitting him. Willow was an absolute stunner. Wavy dark brown almost black hair that just reached her shoulders and framed a heart shaped face but it was her eyes that got me. Right from the first time I met her. I could get lost in those beautiful big green eyes. You could see her emotions play through them, they were that expressive.
Her body was banging too, small in height but all woman everywhere else. She's a man’s walking, talking, breathing wet dream. If she wasn't going through so much shit with her husband I'd have definitely made a move on her. As it stood, I was just going to have to admire her from afar. She'd far too much baggage to deal with without me getting involved, but damn her eyes, her body and her take no shit attitude had me going hard every time I thought of her.
“Not even going there, Trav. You saw what went down today. Yeah I ain't stepping into that drama.” Again I tried to bluff him. Again he saw straight through me.
“Whatever, man. All I'm saying is a woman like that won't be single for long.”
The thought of another man going near her made my blood boil. No man would be good enough for her. If and when she decided to date, the only man she ever would be dating would be me. She also better stick to her word and save me from more of those horrendous cookies her nan had baked for me. Those things would kill a man.
“Move in with me! There's enough room here. Be nice to have some noise in this house after all the years of silence.” Nan was trying her best to talk me into spending some time here while Rob and I sold the house. I couldn't live there anymore, not after I'd witnessed him having sex on the table. Last night was bad enough and that was only the one time, eventually living there would throw me over the edge. I needed a fresh start, somewhere he hadn't tainted with his infidelity.
“Nan, are you sure? Once I find somewhere else, then the kids and I will be out of your hair.”
“Willow, you, Nate, and Kaylee are always welcome here. This is just as much your home as it is mine. Why don't you go home, pack some things for you all to last a few days, and we can take it from there. If after that time you decide this isn't what you want, then we can look into other options but I think this is the best scenario for now. I agree that you need to leave that house. New you, new life, new house, new start.” Nan took my hand in hers and wiped a stray tear that had fallen with her free hand.
We were both still standing in her hallway, the conversation about my future started as soon as I had walked back in.
“What will I tell the kids, Nan? This is going to break their hearts.” My watery gaze met her strong determined one.
“Then we will get them through this rough patch together, as an unbreakable, unstoppable team. You and those great grandchildren of mine will come out of this stronger and happier than ever, you will see. Now go pack, you have a little time before having to pick them from school. I’ll see you all in a little while.”
Nodding my head in agreement, she let go of my hands and all but shoved me out of the door.
“Ok, I won't be long. I’ll make you a nice dinner to say thank you. You cannot even imagine how much this means to me today and everything you have ever done for me over the years. I don't know how I will ever repay you.” I started to get emotional again but Nan quickly stopped that.
“Actually, there is a way you could repay me, Wills.”
I notice the mischievous look on her face and I dread asking the next question. “What do you have in mind?”
“Can you make cookies? I can't cook for shit and I owe Jesse a batch. Last time I made such a mess I honestly don't know why he said he liked them, personally I thought they were god damn awful.”
I honestly have no words for her so I pulled the door shut on my crazy nan and got into my car, headed back in the direction of my house. Part one of my new life was just about to start.
“Kaylee, grab your blankie, please,” I asked her as I pulled the suitcases out of the trunk of my car. I had quickly rushed around the house packing the essentials for now, but I knew I'd have to go back soon though.
Once Rob had a few days to get over what Nan had done to him today, I'd give him a call to discuss putting the house up for sale. Hopefully like me, he would think that was a good idea.
“Why are we staying with Nana, Mom?” Nate asked as he came around the car to help me. Handing him his small suitcase I tried my best to give him a smile. I knew these questions were going to come eventually but it still didn't make it any easier.
“Once we are inside and settled I will answer any questions, Nate, but for now will you just help me get these things inside?”
Nate didn't say anything else instead grabbing the handle to one of the larger suitcases and started pulling it toward the front door of Nan’s house, his smaller suitcase still in his other hand. Kaylee started running beside him, her smaller legs trying to keep up with his longer ones.
“Here goes everything,” I muttered to myself as I followed behind them.
Asking the kids to come upstairs to unpack with me, I explained to them that Nate would have the smaller room for himself but Kaylee would share the twin room with me for now. I tried to make it sound like we were on one big adventure.
Kaylee had been excited but Nate kept quiet, knowing that obviously something had gone on for us to be staying with Nan.
After throwing together a quick meal of pasta and garlic bread which was eaten in relative silence, I decided that now was as good a time as any to explain the situation to them. Getting up from the table I called both of them into the living room with me, asking them to sit down so we could all talk.
“So, your Dad and I have decided that for now we need some time away from each other. He still loves you as much as I do and will see you both, but us adults just need some time apart. We won't be living at our house for awhile. Instead we will be keeping your nana company.”
I looked over to Nan sitting in her usual reclining chair to see if what I'd been saying was good enough. She gave me a slight smile and a small nod of her head in encouragement.
“You two getting a divorce?” Nate asked me seriously. He was sitting with his sister, his arm slung around her shoulders in a protective way. I loved how he always tried to shield his sister from anything that might upset her but it broke my heart that he was doing it because of something I was telling them.
“Not for the time being, honey.” I smiled, hoping that answer would satisfy him for now.
“What about after, mama? Do you and daddy not love each other anymore?” Kaylee piped up. “Are you going to be like Jenna's mama and daddy? She says they fight all the time and her daddy doesn't come to see her much anymore. I want to always see my Daddy, Mama. I love him.”
Her green eyes started to fill with tears. I went to move off the sofa to comfort her but Nate pulled her closer to him, throwing me a look that upset me more than walking in on Rob had.
I looked over to my nan again, my heart in pieces. My cheating husband had caused all this but I was the one that the kids were going to hate. I was the one they were going to blame for splitting up their family.
“Your Daddy still loves you, baby. You’ll still see him all the time. I promise you,” I implored, trying to make her believe what I was saying. I just hoped that Rob wouldn't make me look like a liar, causing our little girl's heart to break even more.
“Come on, Kay. Let's go watch some cartoons in my room.” Nate helped her up off the sofa, her little body still quietly shaking with her sobs.
“Nate.” I tried to get him to look at me but he just carried on walking and both of them left the room.
“They blame me, Nan. I’ve broken their hearts and changed their lives. They’re going to hate me forever for this.” My voice sounded strangled as the sobs tore free from my mouth.
Nan was up out of her chair and had me in her embrace within moments. “Nonsense, child. They have just been told something upsetting. Let them have some time alone and we will go from there. Please don't ever think that they will hate you. You're their mother, they will always love you, remember that. You didn't ask for any of this to happen, you are as innocent in all this as those children are.”
Although her words did bring me some comfort, I still couldn't help but feel guilty about the whole situation.
I had officially become a nosy neighbor. I was no better than Betty. I was constantly checking on what was going on across the street. I saw Willow and her two children arrive with suitcases a day or so ago. I wanted to go out and offer my help but I thought it was best if I kept out of it for now. I still can't get over the fact that her husband's been fucking around on her. What a bastard. He had someone like her and he's obviously fucked it all to hell. What a fool. I won't ever be that dumb. If I get my chance with her, I will never let her go.
I will treat her the way she deserves to be treated.
Like a queen.
The days that followed were quiet ones, the routine still the same here as it had been at home. The kids got up, went about getting ready, and I took them to school. Both Nate and Kaylee had a sadness surrounding them now. Kaylee had lost her spark and Nate had turned sullen, only speaking if he was spoken too.
“I need to do something, I feel like I’m losing them, Nan.”
I had caught Rob cheating on Monday. Today was only Friday yet it felt like years since that dreadful moment. It's amazing how a few days can feel like a lifetime when your whole world has been turned upside down.
“I think we all need to do something together, Will. Help take their minds off it all.”
Putting down the potato I'd been peeling in preparation for dinner, I faced her as she sat at the dining room table watching me. “I should call Rob and see if he wants to take them over the weekend. It’s only fair he gets to see them too.”
“Has he been in touch since we saw him?” Nan asked me, knowing all too well that he hadn't been in touch at all.
Shaking my head, I return back to what I was doing. “You know he hasn't but I feel I need to at least speak to him and offer him the chance to see them. He might be staying away as he feels that we need space.”
“You know that’s utter bull but to ease your guilty mind, get on the phone to him now, see what he wants to do.”
“I will once I’ve finished doing these.” I was trying to put off the phone call for as long as possible.
“Put the damn peeler down, I can finish doing those. You go make the call. Then you will know one way or the other.”
Not even bothering to try and fight her on this, I dried my hands on my apron and went to my room to get my cell phone. Pulling up his number I took a few deep breaths to calm my rapidly growing nerves before I pushed call. It rang for a few moments and just when I thought he wouldn't answer he picked up the call.
“Hello.”
“Hey, it’s Willow.”
“I’m well aware of who it is since your name came up on my display.” The tone of his voice shocks me. He has never spoken to me like this before and he certainly wasn't going to be starting now.
“I was calling to ask if you wanted to see the kids over the weekend?” I was keeping my voice light and friendly when inside I wanted to let him have it, all guns blazing.
“This weekend?” he repeated back to me.
“Yes, Rob. This weekend.” This time I couldn't help the pissy tone that escaped me.
“I have plans this weekend, Willow,” he sniped back at me, his tone childish to say the least.
“You're fucking kidding me, right?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. How dare he not want to see his children, his own flesh and blood whom he hadn't seen since they left for school on Monday morning.
“No, I am not fucking kidding you. I have plans.”
“Who with?” I asked him, hoping he wouldn't say her name. I couldn't bear the thought of him giving up the time with Nate and Kaylee to spend with a whorebag like her.
“It’s none of your business who I have plans with. We are no longer together so what I do from now on is no concern of yours. Tell the kids I will call them later.”
“They know, Rob, about you. They know that we're taking some time apart and they're hurting, hurting so bad. I had to tell them, they were asking questions. I couldn't lie to them. They need to see you. I promised Kaylee that you would still be there for her, that you wouldn't stop seeing her like her friend’s dad had done.” I tried to plead with him, to make him see that not spending time with his children during such a stressful time in their lives would have consequences later on.
“I don't know what you want me to say, Will.” His voice was quiet over the phone line. Maybe what I said had gotten through to him.
“Say you’ll come and see the kids over the weekend,” I pleaded again, not embarrassed for one minute that I was all but begging the man. I would go to any lengths to make sure my children are happy.
“I’ll see what I can do. I’ll give you a call if I have some free time, but I honestly can't promise anything,” he told me, his tone bolder now.
“You can't promise anything? They’re your fucking children! They should come first, they should always come first!” I barked down the phone at him, my need to keep things calm and civil long forgotten. How could he do this to them? How could he put some homewrecking bitch before Nate and Kaylee?
“Willow,” he started but I cut him off before anything else came out of his vile mouth.
“Go to fucking hell, Robert, and take that homewrecking slut with you!” I bellowed before hanging up on him, throwing my phone across my bed in anger.
This new Rob had me completely baffled, he'd never acted or spoken that way before. That got me thinking. Had he always been like that and I'd never noticed, too blinded by love to see him for what he was? Or had this person emerged afterwards, maybe after Nan had confronted him? He probably felt the need to assert his manliness around me. All I know now is that taking a break in our marriage has been the best thing to happen and maybe something that should have been done long before I caught him cheating on me.
After taking a few moments to compose myself I headed back downstairs to tell my nan about the phone call.
“He said he'd let me know if he can come and see them.”
“He said what?!” Throwing the peeler down into the sink she mimics my actions from earlier, drying her hands and removing her apron.
“Let me get my coat, Willow. I think I need to go and pay him another visit!”
“Don't bother, Nan. He isn't worth it. All we can do now is make sure Nate and Kaylee have all they need from us.”
“And what happens if they mention their Dad?” she asked retying her apron around her. I was thankful that I managed to talk her out o
f going to see him, I am pretty sure he would've gotten the police involved.
“Then we will just tell them that he's had to work overtime at the office, it's not like he hasn't done that before.” I begin to wonder if he really ever worked on the weekends when he said he was. He could have been using that as an excuse to fuck around on me, but I keep that to myself not wanting to rile nan any more than she is.
“You shouldn't have to lie to them. He shouldn't be putting you in this position. He made this mess, it should be him who has to explain himself!”
“I know that!” I bite out. “Do you think I want to lie to them? That just because I’m not sitting in a corner crying and rocking myself that I am not just as cut up about it all like they are? I’m trying to be strong, Nan. I’m trying and I need you in my corner, fighting with me not against me. Please, Nan. Please just drop it now.” I sat down, the phone call and disagreement with Nan drained me of all the energy I had.
“Here, child.” She pushed a handkerchief across the table to me. “Wipe your face. I’m sorry, child. I didn't mean to make you cry, I am just so angry with him. Of course I will fight this with you. You three are my whole life and I would do anything to protect you.”
“I love you, Nan,” I blubbered, holding her handkerchief over my face, trying to catch the never-ending tears.
“I love you too, my brave Willow. Never, ever doubt that. So plans for the weekend, how do you feel about kart racing?”
I laughed and just like that our cross words were behind us and we still stood as strong as ever.
“You said we were going kart racing!”
“No, I never agreed to anything of the sort, I just said I would think about it!”
“Well I want to go race some damn karts.”