Belong (Seven Year Itch #3)(10)

I felt disturbed he'd keep it from me, like he knew if he talked about Rachel it would cause me strain.

She hadn't been easy to get over. God knows I was still trying to forgive myself for letting her go. Seeing her today had only brought back residual feelings I thought were buried. It was safe to say they were the only thing keeping me from losing my shit over and over again. Sure, I was breaking down, falling onto my old bed and letting the pain show it’s ugly face. Every memory was like sudden flashbacks playing out in my mind, reminding me of the silence I heard when I knew he’d left me. I didn’t regret having flown in to be there, but I hated not being the one to hold his hand. I wondered if he was lucid enough to know I wasn’t far. I hoped when he went he hadn’t suffered. If there was a beautiful heaven, I hoped he was already in it, probably laughing at the mockery I’d made of my life.

A low vibration could be heard from the foyer. I was able to tell my phone was ringing and probably going to fall on the floor, except I didn’t give a shit. Who could be calling? My wife? What did I have to say to her?

Then I thought about Harper. She didn’t have a clue why her daddy had to go away, and after she heard her mother and I arguing, I knew it was important to soothe her with whatever reassurance she needed.

I turned the light on to my room and looked around to see if the landline was still plugged in. I was too beat to rush downstairs to answer the call. Reluctant to hear Veronica’s voice, I dialed the number and waited.

“Is everything okay? I’ve been worried.”

“He’s gone.” So was my voice after losing it so many times during the day. I was barely able to get the words out. “He passed away earlier today.”

“Why didn’t you call me? I could have booked a flight.”

I scratched my head and plopped down on my mattress, succumbing to exhaustion. “Just wait until morning. I have no idea what kind of legal shit I need to handle.”

“Will you need help planning the funeral?” She asked.

“No. He’s had that done for years. I think I just need to get in touch with the attorney and go from there.”

“You’re going to have to make a lot of calls. Harper and I will be on the first flight out in the morning. Can I do anything else? Do you need me to bring your suit?”

“Yeah. That’s probably a good idea. I haven’t had much time to think about anything else. I feel like everything is falling apart.”

Talking to my wife, thinking about our problems, it just broke me. I couldn’t take it anymore. I was miserable, and knew she was probably feeling the exact same way. “I’m sorry about last night, Veronica. I lost my temper.”

“You have every right to say the things you did. I don’t blame you, Chad. I’m at fault here, not you. This is my mess to clean up.”

“By cleaning up, do you mean get a divorce?”

“You know now isn’t a good time to talk about this. Besides, there is someone here who wants to say hello.” I could tell from her tone she was trying to hide her feelings from Harper.

“Hi, Daddy. Where are you? Mommy said you flew in a plane today. Are you coming home?”

“Do you remember Granddad Charles?”

“That old man with the big house, right?”

“Yeah. That’s him. He went to heaven today.”

The line was quiet for a second. “Are you sad, Daddy?”

“Yes. I’m very sad, pumpkin. It’s hard to say goodbye to people you love.”

She began to whine on the phone. “I don’t like it when you’re sad.”

“Me either. That’s why you and Mommy are coming here to cheer me up. I’m going to need lots of hugs and kisses. Do you think you can bring some of those with you?”

She giggled. “Okay.”

“Be a good girl for Mommy and sleep next to her tonight. Daddy’s going to be thinking about you. I love you. Let me talk to Mommy now.”

Veronica got back on the line. “I’ll call you when I know our flight information.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Chad, it’s important you know I’m going to be there for you. Whatever you need.”

“I appreciate it. It’s nice to know I won’t be alone.”

“We’ll see you tomorrow. Keep your phone on.”

“Goodnight.”

I had to hang up before I expected words that may not come out of her mouth, and if she had said them I’d be forced to wonder if they were out of pity.

I wanted to believe everything was going to be okay with us, but I was done walking around with blinders on. I could tell when Veronica was hiding something, and she certainly wasn’t being very forthcoming.





Chapter 6


It didn’t take me long to become agitated. I found myself getting up and wandering the halls of the large home. Pictures hung on every wall, telling the story of my families lives, one by one. There was a room in particular that everyone stayed away from. The only thing that had changed was the hospital bed had been removed and replaced with a regular queen sized. I’d had my mother’s original bed shipped to California when I moved there. It didn’t matter where I lived, that piece of history would always remain with me. It was one of the only things I had of hers, so naturally I cherished it.