No More Februarys
Date: 8/18/2024,
Categories:
Loving Wives,
Author: bySelfTherapy
... neighborhood, down the deserted suburban streets and onto the freeway ramp, headed to another subdivision of notably lower, but not low, property values. The direction of travel had the sun shining into the passenger's face, and this seemed to wake the woman up. She said a few words to the driver, receiving a polite but uninterested reply; the driver didn't feel the need to engage her passenger, a good looking blonde who looked to be a few years older and, judging by the dress and the destination, financially much better off. The driver didn't want to hear about this woman's problems, partying with high-rollers and living in a nice upper middle class subdivision when she herself was struggling to keep a growing boy fed in a tiny apartment on the sad side of town. Thank God she had one sweet older neighbor to watch over her little man while she worked.
The passenger seemed to need to talk, so after a couple more attempts to engage the driver, she got out her cell phone. She held it for few minutes, tapping silently, then evidently listening to voicemails. She called a number, listened to the ringing and then a message greeting, but hung up without leaving a message, face slowly developing a frown. She put the phone down and stared into space for a moment, then called and got voicemail again. She made a third call but this time left a message: "Jim, it's me. Please call me back. I'm in an Uber on my way home and I guess we have a lot to talk about. I know I messed up. I ...
... love you and I know you love me. We'll get through this together. I tried home but I suppose you're still at the hotel, so please pack our things and meet me at the house. I know I owe you an apology but I need to do that in person. I'll let the Porters know we won't pick up the kids until after lunch so we have time to talk first. I love you Jim, now more than ever. See you soon." Dialing again, ringing while she put a perfunctory smile on her face. "Hello Mrs. Porter, it's Linda. ... Yes, it was quite a night.... Yes, it is a bit early, but I wanted to let you know we need you to keep the kids past lunch, if that's okay?... We'll pick them up in the afternoon, maybe around two? ... Ha Ha! Yes, we do need a little more time.... Something like that... Okay, thank you so much! ... You too.... Bye now." The fake smile vanished and she sat back again, closing her eyes, face expressionless as the Toyota rolled along in very light traffic.
The driver silently fumed, now she knew her passenger was a cheater--with kids! She hadn't looked for wedding rings, but a lot of couples didn't bother marrying these days. Another mystery to her. If they lived together and had kids then in her book they were married. She'd left "Jim" at a hotel before spending the night in some probably-millionaire's bed, given the pickup location. And now she expected to go home and make everything better? How stupid could this woman be? And why should someone that stupid get to live in that nice neighborhood? ...