Acts of Desperation(6)

“No really.” I groaned and rubbed my temples. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore. It’s over and in the past. I need to talk about something else. Liz and I were up late, and I had strange dreams all night. This will be a welcomed distraction,” I said.

“Ok,” she said, conceding with a sigh. “No, no ruling yet, but I’m sick worrying over it. I told you the judge really didn’t seem to like me much so I’m sure she’s going to rule against me.”

“They’re not normally warm and fuzzy people, but you never know. Being gone a couple of days longer shouldn’t be that big of a deal especially knowing how much Anders called and harassed you when you were gone.”

“Yeah, it probably would have been nice if Chuck had brought that up. I’m just so mad! Pissed.” She whispered that last word so the kids wouldn’t hear her using harsh language, and for Sarah, “pissed” was harsh. “He told me I shouldn’t let Anders visit. I can’t believe he advised that knowing it could have come to this”

“Well honestly, I didn’t think Anders would stoop this low, but it’s just another thing I’ll tack on the list of things I never saw coming.”

She laughed uneasily. “Me too. You said it could be another two weeks though, right?”

“Yeah, just keep checking the website for a ruling, and I will too. The last time I looked was Thursday after we talked. I thought it would be too soon still, but I wanted to check because I know how anxious you are to hear.”

“I could puke over how anxious I am. I’m just going to keep the faith that I’m following the rules and doing what’s right for the kids. This is all so confusing.”

“It can be, but I’ll help however I can,” I said.

“I know,” she said then I hung on the line while she talked to Will, in the background. “Hey, you keep your chin up, ok? All of this totally sucks. Take the weekend to be sad then move on.”

“I’m moving on. Liz’ll probably make us go out so I don’t wallow in self-pity.” My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat to fight back the fresh round of tears rising to the surface. I glanced out the window just past my nightstand and saw the “winter storm” the weatherman had predicted had resulted in a dusting of snow. Typical.

“Follow her lead. You guys always did have fun together.” She took a long breath and let it out slowly. “Look, I hate to cut this short, but I need to get the kids dressed for Will’s soccer game. And, I have to look at Anders’s chubby cheeks and pretend that life is grand.”

I laughed. Sarah had mentioned Anders had put on some weight in the months since they’d been apart, and it gave me some satisfaction. He always prided himself on his sharp, expensive wardrobe, and I could picture those tailored shirts getting tight around his growing midsection. Since he moved out, I imagined he paid one too many visits to the drive-thru since Sarah always cooked gourmet meals for him at home.

“Give me a call later if you still feel like you need to talk,” she said.

“Thanks. I’ll be fine. I smell coffee so it’s not going to be too bad,” I said. “Would you mind telling Mom and Dad where I am and that I’m alright?”

“Sure, I’ll tell them,” she said.

I got up and splashed some water on my face in the bathroom off the hall. Liz had her own private bathroom off her bedroom so this space was all mine. Everything was white with brushed silver accents. She’d replaced the old weathered tub shortly after she moved in with a grand walk-in shower. It was pretty fantastic and the oversized showerhead was something created out of a dream. I longed for a hot shower to wash away my memories but instead I threw my hair into a ponytail and followed my nose downstairs.

I walked down the long hallway and down the steep staircase. I pivoted on the rug at the base of the stairs and walked onto the old refinished wooden floors through the family room and into the kitchen. The sleek white cabinets and gray granite countertops gave the room a very peaceful French Country feel. I hoped walking in that it would somehow seep into my pores.

Liz already had a mug of coffee poured and waiting for me on the island. I sat down on one of the saddle barstools and wrapped my hands around my warm saving grace. I inhaled the rich aroma and immediately felt at home as I looked into her smiling face. I knew everything was going to be alright.

“Good morning, sunshine,” she said. “I’ve got quite a day planned for us.”





Chapter Four


Liz and I spent a few hours on her plush, down-filled couch watching old John Hughes films: Some Kind of Wonderful and Sixteen Candles. Liz figured we needed stories of happy young romances to renew my soul.

“Seriously, it just doesn’t get hotter than when Jake Ryan waits for Sam outside the church. When she walks out, and he’s casually leaning up against his Porsche.” I crossed my arms over my chest and pretended my heart was melting. “I wonder what ever happened to him. I’d accept him as my Mr. Wonderful,” I said as we finished watching Sixteen Candles.

“Yeah, Jake is pretty hot, but when Keith gives Watts the diamond earrings, emm that does it for me. And their kiss after—she was one lucky girl,” Liz said, referring the end of Some Kind of Wonderful.

I laughed. “You’ve always had a thing for redheads, haven’t ya lass?”