“Wow, this SUCKS ass,” I declare to Nick suddenly.
“What does?” he looks over startled.
“This whole day. It was supposed to be real good. I wanted to show you how much I love you,” I tell him. “And instead I fuck up the movie booking so that we end up bookin’ to see Eight Legged Freaks when we both know I’m shit scared of spiders. And then I run out of gas halfway home and now here we are – walkin’ along a highway PRAYING you don’t get recognised by a bunch of homicidal freaks who need money!” I finish up as he starts laughing. “What?!”
“Oh I missed you Al,” he grins and pulls me close for a long kiss. “I missed you and your insane imagination and today has been PERFECT.”
“You musta been on a different day than me,” I grump.
“No,” he shakes his head. “I was WITH you and that’s why it was perfect.”
“Really?” I giggle slightly and he nods. “I love you,” I tell him and pull him closer for a long kiss. “I really do.”
“Good,” he grins at me.
A week after Jade’s disappearance, Brian returns home. He feels rested after his time in Lexington. He is ready to tackle his problems with Jade. He decides to grab a shower and then go see her, ask if they can go someplace to talk things through. He picks up his post and heads into the kitchen to sort through it. There are a few letters for Jade, bills, some mail for him and one letter in Jade’s writing. He picks it out and opens it. There’s a letter and divorce papers. He stares at the heading and his heart stops. He feels light-headed and sits down hard, his head spinning. She wants a divorce? His eyes fill with tears as he starts to read the letter, hoping that it’s just a bad joke.
Brian,
This is the hardest letter I’ve ever had to write. I need to confess a few things to you so that you will understand why I’ve done what I have.
When I left the hospital and went to stay with AJ, I did so because I really felt a little space would help us to talk through our problems and save our marriage. But instead it drove us further apart. We barely saw each other and never talked about the things that really matter. Then you left to go visit your folks and I spent a lot of time with AJ. I have always been aware of his feelings for me and I think you have too. In a way, I guess that hurts – that you would be happy I was staying with him, almost like you don’t care anymore. But I should’ve told you I felt that way, it’s all my fault.
I grew attracted to AJ and we slept together last night. I am so sorry baby. I love you so much and I’ve hurt you so much. I wish there was something I could do to go back in time and change things. That way I would never have hurt you or AJ. Please don’t blame AJ for any of this. It was all my doing, I am to blame here.
I know you hate me and I’ve killed off any love you might have still had left for me. I can’t be around you anymore and see what I’ve lost. I’ve signed the divorce papers and all you need to do is sign your half and send them away. I don’t know where I’m going or what I am to do but it is all I can do. I will always, always love you. I love AJ too but you are my life. Please be happy B-Bear. You deserve it and I pray that you will forget me soon.
Jade
Brian finishes reading and stares at the papers, the writing blurring as he starts to cry. He never imagined it would be this bad, that he could ever feel so bad.
“Flight AA1298 to Washington boarding at gate 54 now,” the tannoy booms out.
I stand up and grab my bags, heading towards gate 54. I have spent the past week in Miami and now I’m going to Washington. My old college roommate lives there and she has offered me a room at her place. It’s about as far away as I can get from my life as possible.