Sweet Beginning

by V. M. Holk

  Don walks up to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders and squeezes. "Hey girl, how is it going?"

  "I'm okay."

  "If you need anything, you let us know."

  I nod my head, he grabs a beer and goes back to the living room. That's alot of emotion from Don. He has never been a big talker, but he's a great guy. I smile to myself.

  "What can I do to help?" I ask Stella.

  "You and Jay go set the table," she smiles at me.

  As we are setting the table, I am thinking about last night. Not only about Wyatt, but Kyle as well.

  "So....Kyle came up to the apartment last night."

  Jaylah's eyes get big, "You are only telling me this now. What the hell Anne?"

  "I know, sorry. The girls wanted him to see their room."

  "Yeah and how did that go?"

  "It was actually nice. He gave me a kiss on the cheek before he left, it was sweet."

  She shakes her head at me, but doesn't say anything. I can only imagine what she is thinking. I hope things can stay civil between Kyle and I. Maybe one day Jay and him will be better as well.

  ~~~

  After dinner and everything is all cleaned up. We all go into the living room to open up gifts. The kids tear into their gifts and wrapping paper is every where. I hand Jaylah her gift, I am so giddy to see her reaction. She rips into her gift and I see the realization hit her.

  "You bitch! I can't believe you did this! " she comes over and gives me a huge hug. "This is to much Anne, especially with what's going on."

  "Bullshit, JayJay. That's more of a reason for us to go and enjoy ourselves. Everything is already set at work. We are going to have so much fun!" I say.

  "Damn you woman. I love you" she says, as her eyes tear up.

  Chapter 10

  I am excited about our trip this weekend. Kyle has the girls this week. Jaylah has talked me into going out tonight for New Year's Eve. This is the first time since I had Katie. We have gone to friends houses, or hosted parties. It should be a fun night out and start of our vacation.

  I start packing my stuff, since there will be no time tonight. I think about how this year has ended. This time last year, nobody could have told me this was going to happen. I would have laughed at them. Kyle and I getting divorced, no way. We had our problems, but I always thought we could work them out.

  With my suitcase packed, I take it out to my car. I get in the car and head to Jaylah's. We decided I would spend the night at her house, then drive out tomorrow.

  I pull up to Jaylah's and park in front. I sit there for a bit and lean my head on the steering wheel. I am not sure about tonight. I know I'm being stupid, but it's the first time going out single. Well almost single, at least I know Jaylah has my back. I have to keep telling myself to relax and have a good time.

  ~~~

  Wyatt

  I drove home yesterday, to avoid the snow storm they are getting. It was nice to see everyone, especially my baby brother Emmett. We have always been very close. When we were kids, where there was one, there was always the other. We are only a year apart, so people use to mistake us for twins.

  We celebrated Emmett's thirty-fourth and my thirty-fifth birthday while I was home. His birthday is Christmas Eve and mine is the day after Christmas, which we hated as kids. When we got a little older, our parents let us have half birthdays in the summer with our friends.

  I was glad that I didn't run into Lynn. Being a small town, I was worried we would. I haven't seen her at all since I've moved. I was glad not to have that headache and enjoy my short vacation.

  On my way home, Sue called me and asked me to go out for New Year's Eve. I met her one night at, "The Buffalo Bar" as the local's call it. I'm told that for many years the owner had several buffalo's in the back. When the new owners took over, they got rid of them. That hasn't stopped people from still calling it the buffalo bar, when its real name is "Emil's Bar".

  We've gone out twice, Sue is nice enough. I don't see us going very far, I think she realizes it as well. But that doesn't mean that either of us needs to be alone. We enjoy each other. I told her I will pick her up at around nine. We plan on going to the buffalo bar.

  ~~~

  Anne

  Jaylah decided that we should go to the buffalo bar. I haven't been here since the new owners took over. I heard that they fixed it up nice, it was pretty run down. We left the house around nine-thirty. There are alot of people here already. We have some of our other friends meeting us here. It will be nice to see everyone, it's been a long time.

  We open the door to a blast of music and we look for our friends. We have known Josie and Sarah, since high school. As I look around and realize I know the majority of the people here.

  We find them in front by the stage. Josie has been divorced for a couple of years now and never had any kids. Sarah has been married for fourteen years, she left Rodger at home with the kids. He went to school with us too and Sarah always had him wrapped around her finger.

  Thank god Josie and Sarah got here earlier, so we have a table. The bar is doing karaoke, it's one of Jaylah's favorite things. Which is why she decided to come here tonight. Jaylah goes up to add us to the list and pick out our songs. I go to the bar to get us a couple of drinks. I look over to see Sue, another friend from high school.

  "Hey Sue, how are you? Haven't seen you in awhile."

  "Good Anne, sorry to hear about you and Kyle. I couldn't believe it when I heard it." she says.

  That's another problem with small towns everyone knows your business. "Thanks. Happy New Year, talk to ya later." I grab the drinks and head back to the table.

  All night they rotate between the DJ and karaoke. Jaylah has already gone up and sang her favorite song "Reign O'er Me" by The Who. I have to drink more before I get up there to sing. We dance and sing along with all the songs.

  They call our group of four up to sing "Seven" by Prince. I down the rest of my drink and follow them up on stage. Thankfully we are all going up. As the song starts up, I scan the faces in the bar. Lots of people are singing along, the dance floor is full.

  I am still looking around as I sing, I do a double take. Is that who I think it is? Is that Kyle? Can't be, that guy has his hands all over that redhead. The redhead laughs, then starts kissing the guy.

  Kyle has the girls this weekend, or did he tell me he was going out. I rack my brain to remember the conversation we had. I think he said his parents were going to have a little party at their house with Katie and Shannon.

  I keep singing the song, I look over at Jaylah. She raises her eyebrow at me in question. I smile weakly at her, then look back at the couple. Then the man turns. HOLY SHIT, it is Kyle! Are you fucking kidding me! Who the fuck is he kissing.

  I stop singing and drop the mic. Jaylah follows my line of sight and sees what I am looking at. Thankfully the song ends as I walk off the stage. Josie and Sarah, look over at Jaylah confused.

  "Kyle is in the back with another woman, fucking asshat!" Jaylah tells them, behind me.

  I walk until I am in front of Kyle. I can tell by the look on his face that he doesn't know what to do or say. I guess he was so busy with this tramp that he didn't notice I was even here. I am so furious, that I can't speak. He looks like he is about to say something, I won't give him the satifaction of the first word.

  "Who the fuck is this, Kyle! We aren't even divorced yet and you are here with her!" I scream.

  "Look Anne, our divorce will be final in a couple of weeks, let's not make a scene, okay." he tries to whisper.

  Before I can say anything, Jaylah starts yelling, "Are you Fucking kidding Kyle, you are such an Asshole. Who is she?"

  The women puts her arm around his waist. With a smirk on her face, "You must be Anne, nice to finally put a face to a name. I'm Tessa."

  Really, REALLY!!! I look from Kyle to Tessa, then back to Kyle.

  "Are you fucking kidding me? Tessa, the same person we use to fight about. The one you told me was only a "f
riend" and would text you ALL the time. That same Tessa, Kyle?"

  "Its not like that, Anne. We were only friends" he starts to say.

  I smack him across the face. "You are such a fucking liar. Sooo, how long have you been cheating on me?"

  "It wasn't like that." he tries to explain. I see Tessa looking at me with that smirk on her face.

  "You think I believe anything that comes out of your mouth! She lives in Memphis, right?" I see the realization of that come across his face.

  "That's what I thought. Did you have fun while you were down there? You know what? Don't bother answering that, because I don't fucking care anymore." I spit at him.

  Tessa grabs Kyle, then laughs at me. I look over to see Jaylah start to lose it. I am about to stop her, when she lunges at Tessa. I start to go after her and I feel someone gently push me aside.

  ~~~

  Wyatt

  Sue and I sat towards the back of the bar, for most of the night. She was talking to alot of her friends around us. She knows most of the people here, which shouldn't surprise me because she grew up here. I hear the DJ call up "Jaylah's group" and I wonder how common of a name that is. I look towards the stage to see Anne get up there to sing. I smile, wow she looks great.

  I watch her with her friends, having a good time. It's nice to see her smile like that. She looks around the crowd of people. Being in the back I hadn't noticed she was here.

  Towards the end of the song, I see Anne's view lock on someone towards the back of the bar. I follow her gaze to a guy that is all over this redhead. They start kissing. I look back towards Anne and see her face go white. She drops the mic and looks over at Jaylah. She storms off stage, as the song ends.

  I watch as she runs up to this guy screaming.

  "Oh shit, that's Anne's husband, Kyle." I hear Sue say next to me.

  I look back at Anne to see her slap him across the face. Once I see the redhead laugh at Anne, I know this isn't going to be good. I reach them in time to help get Jaylah off of this woman.

  "Let me go! I am going to kill this bitch!" Jaylah turns back at me and yells.

  Anne stands next to me, "JayJay, they aren't fucking worth it! Come on let's just go." she yells over the music.

  Jaylah finally calms down enough for me to let her go. I see Kyle walk up to Anne and say something. Kyle and the redhead grab their stuff and leave the bar.

  "Hey Wyatt, thanks for stopping me from killing that bitch!" Jaylah says.

  I nod my head and she walks over to the bar. I see Sue looking at me from our table, as Anne walks up to me.

  "Thanks for that."

  I can tell that she is embarrassed about what happened. I feel Sue come stand next to me.

  "Hey Anne, that was crazy, you okay?" Sue asks her.

  Anne looks from me to Sue and says, "Yeah I'm fine. I was thanking Wyatt, for helping out. You guys have a good New Year's." She looks at me one more time and follows Jaylah to the bar.

  ~~~

  Anne

  I walk up to the bar, where Jaylah is slamming a shot.

  "Two more shots, please." I tell the bartender.

  He delivers our shots and we slam them.

  "Can you fucking believe the balls on that douche nozzle?" Jaylah says to me, "And that fucking slut with him! I thought I was going to kill her when she had the fucking nerve to laugh at you!"

  I know we should probably get out of here. We are both upset. I order two more shots for us.

  We go back to the table to let Josie and Sarah know that we are leaving. Just then the DJ starts the countdown for the New Year.

  Everyone is yelling....FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE.....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

  I look towards the back, I catch Sue kissing Wyatt. I turn away, "Jaylah lets go to the bathroom and get out of here." She nods and follows me.

  We reach the bathroom and I see a guy walking towards us. I hear Jaylah whisper "oh shit." I don't know who this guy is. He walks up to us.

  "Hey Jay, how are you?" He looks around me, "Where's Ben?"

  She looks at him, "He's not here. Happy New Year, John." Jaylah grabs my arm and pulls me into the bathroom.

  "Are you okay?"

  "Yeah Anne, I'm fine. This turning out to be a crazy fucking night. Let's get out of here."

  I nod, I can tell she doesn't want to talk about that guy. She obviously knows him, he called her Jay and asked about Ben. That is never a good thing. This weekend can't come fast enough.

  Chapter 11

  We were thankful that Josie and Sarah didn't drink last night. They each drove a car and drove us home. After all the shots and drinking, neither of us were in any shape to drive. I make a pot of coffee, then start getting ready for our trip.

  Jaylah comes out looking aweful and makes a cup of coffee.

  "Mornin'. Give me a minute, I need a cigarette."

  "K."

  As she steps outside, I decide to call Katie and Shannon. I wish them a Happy New Year. They tell me about the party at Grandma and Papa's house. Once we hang up, I call my dad to wish him the same and let him know we are getting ready to leave.

  I gather up our suitcases, to take out to the car. I start the car, then put our stuff in the trunk. I am so glad we are leaving. I need a break from here for a little while. I grab something quick to eat and fill up my to-go mug with coffee.

  As we start our drive to Canada, I keep replaying what happened last night. Jaylah has been pretty quiet herself about everything. I didn't want to sit too long and think about things. But there is no where to hide when you are in the confines of a car.

  "Penny for your thoughts," I say and laugh. Jaylah looks over at me and smiles.

  "That was one crazy end for a night, wasn't it?!" she says.

  We both laugh and then she sighs. "Well I would say that this vacation did not come soon enough. We both could definitely use it, especially after everything last night." I say. Jaylah nods her head.

  I knew she was as upset as me, but I feel there is more bothering her. I wonder if it was the man that came up to her at the end of the night. We sit quietly for awhile, then Jaylah starts talking.

  "I'm sorry that Kyle did that to you. After all the years I have known him, I never thought he was capable of this. I know I say shit about him, but he has always been like a brother to me. I know this is nothing compared to how you must feel, but I feel like he cheated on us both. It's one thing for you guys to get divorced because you guys aren't happy. But this? I can't stand that he has done this." she spills.

  I had never thought on how this was affecting her.

  "Thanks, Jay. I never thought Kyle was capable of that, either."

  "That bitch, I wanted to kill her. If it wasn't for Wyatt, I think I would have." She gets quiet again.

  "Are you okay, JayJay? I know this isn't all about Kyle and me. Is it because you saw Ben's friend?"

  She doesn't say anything for awhile, "Just when I was getting comfortable with my life. Well as comfortable as I can get. I don't want Ben to show up again."

  "You still have your restraining order on him, right?"

  She is quiet for awhile and then nods her head, "Yeah I still do."

  I know this is hard on her and I am not used to her being like this. Jaylah always puts on a good front, like nothing gets her down. But I know her too well. I was there during the worst with Ben and helped her get away from him. I hate seeing her like this.

  "Hey, I'm sorry that I haven't been there for you as much as I should be. I know it's been all about me lately, but that's over with. I am here for you."

  She looks over at me and says, "Shut up.....You can kiss my ass. Just because I am a little shakin' up doesn't mean anything. You are going through a life changing event, where else would I have been? No where, but where I was. We are always there for each other."

  We both burst out laughing. "I know, thanks for everything."

  She nods, "Now that we got that shit out of the way, lets go have a good fucking time!" I nod my hea
d in agreement and smile at her.

  We turn up the radio and sing along to all our favorite songs. Once we get through customs, to get into Canada, it doesn't take us long to get to the train station. We park our car, grab our luggage and get ready to load onto the train.

  I have never been on a train before, so I feel like a little kid. Jaylah just sits next to me and laughs. She comes to see her family that live here, so she has been on the train quite a bit. We decided to settle in because it is a three hour trip into Toronto. Jaylah and I both get our kindle's out to read. We sit in silence most of the way, but the ride went faster than I thought.

  When the train comes to a stop, we collect all of our belongings. Our hotel is right across the street from Union Station. So we don't have far to go. We walked into The Fairmount Royal York Hotel to check into our room. I look around at how beautiful it is.

  There is an old clock that is several floors tall, with a spiral staircase wrapped around it, from the basement. The walls are made of marble and polished wood moldings. The second floor has intricate railings, to look down onto the lobby. There are large chandeliers along the length of the lobby. There are several sitting areas, with antique funiture and lovely floweral arrangements.

  "Wow! This place is beautiful."

  "Yeah you have out done yourself, Anne!"

  We get on the elevator to go upstairs. We walk into our room, it's as beautiful as the lobby. The room is decorated in cream and burgandy, with dark walnut furniture. The bathroom is done in marble with brass accents.

  I picked this hotel, not only because it was a four star, but because it was located in the center of Toronto Entertainment district. It had the Underground PATH Walkway with 1,200 shops and resturants. We are in the HEART of Toronto. This weekend is looking better and better.

  ~~~

  Wyatt

  Man I drank way to much last night, my head is pounding. I roll over and feel a body next to me. I open my eyes to see Sue. Oh shit, I forgot she came home with me last night. Or should I say, she drove me home because I was in no position to drive.