Читать книгу and I Believe - Jodie Richard-Bohman - Страница 11

Aaron and Angie . . . I still couldn’t believe that Aaron was with Angie, I thought after I drove around for a couple hours and finally decided to go home, which was empty when I got there.

Mom and Dad had to be wondering why we hadn’t picked up the girls yet, so I reluctantly picked up the phone and called them. There was a couple of rings before Mom’s cheerful voice was on the other end.

“Hi Mom.” I bit my lip to keep from crying.

Her voice instantly became alarmed. “Kate, what’s wrong?”

I was silent a moment before finally answering her. “Mom, can you keep the girls again tonight and drop them off on your way to work tomorrow morning?”

“Yes. Is everything okay?”

My chest felt tight as I fought back a sob. “Actually, Mom, things aren’t good, but I don’t want to talk about it right now. I promise I’ll tell you more tomorrow.”

“Okay,” she said, with a worried tone in her voice. “Please call us if you need anything.”

“I will. I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, Kate.”

Tears streamed down my cheeks, one after another, as I hugged my knees to my chest. The phone rang a few times after that, but I didn’t budge. Instead, I stared out the picture window in a blank daze.

Hours later, a car pulled into my driveway. As I sat in the dark living room, I watched two familiar figures walk up onto the front porch. I quickly got up from the couch and opened the front door. When I saw my sisters’ faces, I lost it.

After I told them everything that had happened, Kristie was speechless, and Kellie, being the protective older sister that she was, looked like she wanted to rip their heads off.

“I’m in complete shock,” Kristie said, shaking her head back and forth. “Never in a million years would I have guessed if somebody was going to do this, it would be Aaron. He worships the ground you walk on and has always treated you like a queen.”

“I know, I know. I still can’t believe this is really happening. I never saw it coming.”

“Are you seriously thinking about moving out?” Kellie asked.

“I don’t want to, but what else can I do? He was pretty adamant about not being able to ‘live like this’ anymore. I’m going to talk to Mom and Dad and see if the girls and I can stay in the room above their garage until I get everything figured out.”

I couldn’t stop from tearing up again. Being around my sisters allowed me to let my guard down and show how raw my hurt was.

“Do you know how worthless I feel knowing that he kissed and did who knows what with another woman because we ‘don’t do it very often,’ and that he’s the one who wants out of the marriage? I should be the one kicking him to the curb for what he did, not the other way around.” I dropped my head into my hands and started rubbing my temples. “Could one of you call Mom and Dad and let them know what’s going on? Mom’s dropping off the girls tomorrow morning, and I don’t want to talk about it in front of them.”

“I’ll call Mom as soon as I get home,” Kellie answered. “And since tomorrow is President’s Day and there’s no school, why don’t you drop the girls off at my house.”

“Thanks. They’d really like that.”

“Do you want us to spend the night with you tonight?” Kristie asked.

“No, that’s okay. I’ll be fine.”

“You sure?”

“Yes,” I nodded.

“Okay. Well, we’re going to get going, but call us if you need anything.”

After they left, I lay on the couch, staring up at the blank ceiling. Even though I was having a hard time grasping everything, I knew I had to anyway. The idea of leaving this place really pained me, but there was no way I could stay.

I knew Mom and Dad wouldn’t mind me staying with them, but I had no idea how long my stay would be. I could look into renting an apartment, but I didn’t want to commit to something long term in the event Aaron happened to change his mind.

I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a sigh of exhaustion. Over the last twenty-four hours, my life was turned completely upside down, but one thing I dreaded more than anything was having to tell Jenna and Mia that their mom and dad were no longer going to be together. The mere thought tore my heart in two.