Because (Seven Year Itch #4)(19)

“I was just wondering how long Shayla will be gone.”

I shrug. “I’m not real sure. She didn’t say she had to be anywhere.”

She gives me an inquisitive gaze. “From the amount of luggage she was loading into the car I assumed she was going on a trip.”

I don’t hesitate. I leave the old lady standing in my driveway while I bolt for my back door. Once inside I see the white folded piece of paper on the kitchen table. It isn’t addressed, but it’s obvious it was meant for me. I sit down and stare at it for a second before opening it.

Brandon,

This has been a long time coming. You and I both know it. I can’t keep going like this. As much as our family means to me, I have to leave. We can’t be in the same room together unless we’re fighting or f*cking. That’s no way to live.

The truth is, I’m not happy. Neither are you. We’re making each other miserable. I love you, but it’s not enough. I think we both know that much.

I’ll be staying at my parent’s house until I can figure out what to do next. Give me some time and we’ll get a schedule in order for Aberdeen. I’d like to keep this amicable for her benefit. She’s going to be devastated, so it’s important we still work together to show her we can still love her the same from separate homes.

For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for my part in this. You’ve been good to me, but it’s never been enough. I’ve settled for too long. I hope you won’t fight me. Maybe one day you’ll appreciate that I made this decision for the both of us. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.

Shayla



I swallow the lump in my throat and read it again. Is she serious? She thinks she can leave me without discussing it like normal adults?

I pick the phone from my pocket and call her. It rings two times before she answers.

“I guess you’re home.”

“What the hell are you doing, Shay?”

“I’m not getting into this with you. Our daughter wants to stay with you tonight. Where do you want to meet?”

“Meet? Why can’t you bring her to me?”

“Because that’s not how it’s going to work,” she argues.

My stomach hurts. I’m shaking, and if someone walks in front of me at this very moment I’ll rip their throat out. I’ve never been vulnerable, but this is torture. “Babe, don’t do this. Come home. We’ll figure it out together.”

I can tell she’s fighting her own emotions. “Bran, please. Just meet me somewhere.”

I hate this. I only found out she was gone minutes ago and I’m barely able to keep it together. This sucks. “Where?” I ask. I want to get Aberdeen home, but not just because it’s where she belongs. I hope her mother will follow.

“Meet me in the grocery store parking lot in thirty minutes. I promised Ab I’d get her a burger. We’re on the way there now.”

I imagine them having a special meal without me. She’s obviously taken our daughter out to butter her up. She wants Aberdeen on her side of this, and I’m not ready to let that happen. I won’t be the bad guy. “I’ll see you in half hour,” I say before hanging up.

I’ve had a change of plans after getting out of my work clothes. I throw on some jeans and a clean T-shirt and head in the direction of my child’s favorite fast food franchise. When I spot my wife’s car I know I’m in the right place. She’s asked me to meet her somewhere else, but I don’t follow directions well when I’m being forced to do something. If she thinks she can leave me without a fight I’m going to show her how difficult I can be.

I waste no time. I saunter in the place like I own it, scoping the tables to locate them. They don’t see me as I approach, but when my wife does catch a glimpse I can tell she’s pissed. I scoot in next to her and steal a fry from Aberdeen. It takes everything in me not to make a big deal out of it. “Look who we have here,” I tease.

“Daddy’s here,” Ab says as she smiles with two front teeth missing.

“Sorry I’m late.”

I watch Shay roll her eyes. She’s pissed. If I didn’t know any better I’d say she’s also amused. Unbeknownst to me, I’ve gone out of my way for her attention. It’s exactly what she’s been asking me to do for years. She shakes her head. “I told you to meet me in the parking lot, Bran.”

“That wasn’t going to work for me.”

She leans over to speak directly to our daughter. “Why don’t you take the rest of your fries and go play in the funhouse while Daddy and I talk?”

She seems excited. Usually we make her finish eating first. We both watch her leave the area before I’m given the stink eye. Shay shoves me. “You’re an *.”

I laugh. “Just stop being stupid and come home where you belong.”

“Why? Why would I want to be there? All we do is fight. It’s redundant.”

Even if I don’t know for sure, I feel like this is a test to see how I’ll react to her leaving. I’m not sure if I should be mad, or do what it takes to please her so she’ll stop being ridiculous and come home with me. “Shay, I can give you plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t leave.”

“Are any of them unselfish? Doing your laundry, packing your lunches, and making sure you’re taken care of isn’t what I’m talking about. Give me another reason. I’m not asking for a lot. Just start with one.”