The sun shone brightly Monday morning, spilling light throughout the master bedroom to fall onto the bed. The brightness filtered through Mari’s closed eyelids, waking her. Rolling over from her back to her side, she stared out the window. It should not be so beautiful, she thought sadly. The day should not be so bright and cheery. Even this late into October the maple tree in the neighbor’s backyard still bore red and golden leaves blowing merrily in the wind. This was her favorite time of year. Trips to the apple orchard. The heavenly scent of hot donuts and cider. A cool nip in the air that often led to warm cuddles. Raking leaves then having leaf-throwing fights.
Mari groaned. This way of thinking would only lead to more heartache. Joe was gone. She had driven around aimlessly for hours yesterday her mind numb with grief. When she finally returned home Joe’s car was gone. She rushed into the house and up the stairs, praying as she ran. She threw open the door to the guest room and saw that his clothes were gone from the closet, his toiletries missing from the bathroom. Witnessing the hard evidence of his departure caused her to burst into tears and she ended up crying herself to sleep.
This morning it was a struggle to push herself up from the softness of the bed. It seemed as if her stomach had grown overnight. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Mari gently rubbed the growing bulge. The baby kicked her hand and she smiled softly. Her love for this child was tremendous, filling her heart both with joy and pain. This child, this joyous miracle, was her last link to Joe. Mari firmly pushed those depressing thoughts from her mind as she rose from the bed and walked into the bathroom. No more sad thoughts, she determined. She would not have her baby being hurt by all the negative emotions flowing through her mind.
Knowing the coming explanations would be difficult, Mari opted for a soothing bath before she left for work. Turning on the water, she tested it for warmth, tossed in some bath salts, then climbed in. Today she would have to tell Greg about Joe leaving and she was not sure what his reaction would be. Over the last several months Greg and Marla and Glen and Gretchen had been doing their best to help her and Joe work through their problems. They spent as much time as their busy schedules allowed trying to be a good sounding board for Mari and also letting Joe know that they were available for him. But the underlying problem of Joe’s childhood had stood as an unknown obstacle to any help offered. Even Glen, who had known Joe for so long had not realized the depth of Joe’s pain over his parents’ divorce so long ago. Mari had no idea his childhood had been so sad and troubled. Why didn’t he tell me? she agonized, fighting off the tears that once again threatened to overflow. Had she somehow given off some type of signal that told him she would not have stayed with him if his past proved too complicated? He should have told her, her mind raged. He should have been up front with her. She was his wife!
“Stop torturing yourself,” Mari spoke the words aloud working to force her mind to stop the constant replay of what Joe had been through and done. Reliving the situation would not solve the issue at hand. Joe was going to have to work through the past if he wanted to be part of the present with her and future with their child. But she loved the man despite his faults. She wanted to stay married to him forever and raise this child together with him. Of course, she had to get him to come home first, and reconcile him to the fact that this really was his child. “Another miracle wouldn’t hurt, Lord,” she said aloud.
Stepping out of the lightly scented water, Mari toweled herself off and pulled on a pair of black maternity pants and an oversized white blouse. After brushing her hair back in a ponytail she stood in front of the mirror and grimaced at her reflection. This was the third time in just a matter of days she had worn this particular outfit and she was heartily sick of it. Not wanting to bring more attention to the pregnancy for Joe’s sake, Mari had put off purchasing a large selection of clothing. But more maternity clothes were a definite must, and soon. Stretch pants and oversized tee shirts were fine for work since her lab coat covered them. But even so, some variety would be nice. Throwing a light jacket over the offending outfit, Mari grabbed her backpack and headed out the door.
Greg was already seated at his desk, cup of coffee at his fingertips, when Mari arrived at work. She poked her head in his office door, knocking on the door frame to get his attention. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” she asked when he lifted his head.
“Sure,” he said, gesturing for her to sit. “How’s Junior?”
Mari could not hold back the grin at the nickname Greg had given the baby. Greg was positive the baby was a boy. “He’s great,” she answered. She sat down in the chair he indicated and hesitated a moment before going on. “Ah, I wanted to let you know that Joe left last night to go down to Houston
Greg came around the desk and knelt in front of her. He cupped her chin in his hand, forcing her to meet his compassionate gaze. He watched as tears filled her hazel eyes and flowed over, pulling her into his arms. “I’m so sorry, Mari,” he whispered, fighting back his own pain. He could feel her shuddering with sobs and held her tighter. If he did not love the man like a brother he would pound him into the ground. “Did he say when he would be back?”
“He said the assignment would probably last for at least six months,” she hiccupped.
“Six months? The baby will be here in three.”
“Yeah, I know that.”
“He’s planning to come back for the birth, right?” Greg demanded, holding her away from him so he could see her face.
“He’s planning on never coming back,” Mari flung back at him, then started sobbing again.
Greg drew her back in his arms, idly rubbing her back in a soothing manner. Words totally escaped him. Greg had not seen this coming. The few times he had seen Joe since August, he had been very standoffish. His demeanor seemed angry, although Greg could see the underlying pain and confusion. But, despite appearances, Joe had never given Greg or Glen any indication he planned on deserting Mari and the child she carried. To up and leave his wife when she was going to give birth in a couple months was just not something Greg thought Joe was capable of. Obviously they had not realized the true depth of Joe’s hurt.
“Don’t worry, Mari,” Greg said as he held her. “Marla and I will be here. So will Gretchen and Glen. I’m sure Joe will come to his senses eventually.”
“He wants a divorce, Greg.” Tears fell harder as she whispered the words.
Stunned silence followed her words. It was almost a minute before Greg found his voice. “He actually said that?” he asked, the pitch of his voice rising with incredulous disbelief.
“Yes. He told me he was taking the job in Houston
“He still thinks that?” When Mari nodded, Greg shook his head. “Why don’t you just have a DNA test and prove to him that this is his child?”
Mari turned her head away and to stare out Greg’s office window. “I could do that. I could prove to him without a doubt that this is his baby. But I want him to believe in me, to believe that I wouldn’t lie to him.” She turned back to Greg and finally gave vent to all the frustration built up inside. “He’s just so stinking stubborn.”
“And you’re not? This is just foolishness on your part, Mari. You know that if you showed him the proof he’d believe you.”
“Why do I have to prove my innocence? I have not done anything wrong.” Mari jumped up so quickly Greg fell back on his behind.
“Hey!”
“Sorry.”
“Yeah, I’ll just bet you are,” he groused as he stood up, feigning irritation.
Greg brushed off the back of his pants in a very deliberate manner and Mari could not hold back the giggle. It felt good to have something to laugh about, even if was at the expense of her boss. “I am sorry, really. I promise not to make any more sudden moves,” she promised.
Greg rolled his eyes. “It’s not like a woman in your condition can actually make sudden moves.” He avoided the punch in the arm he knew was coming. He gently brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “We’ll keep praying, Mari.”
“I know, Greg, and I’m thankful for that.” She smiled weakly. “I’ll get started on the lab work.”
He grabbed hold of her ponytail as she walked past him, tugging her back.
“Hey!”
“Sorry,” he said, flashing her an innocent look. “It just got tangled up in my hand.”
“Yeah, I’m sure that was it.” She stopped at the door and turned to look at him. “Thanks, Greg, for everything.”
“Any time. Finish up the westerns today then go home.” Anticipating her protest, Greg forestalled it with an upraised hand. “Marla made me promise last night to make sure you got more rest, like I would actually be able to make you behave. She wasn’t happy with how you looked at your appointment on Thursday.”
“You know, having my doctor’s husband as my boss is not such a good thing.”
“But you love me, you know it. Who else would give you a hard time, if it weren’t for me?”
Hazel eyes turned dark with sadness. “Too true.” Now that Joe was gone she had only her friends around to give her a hard time. Before Greg could say anything she left the office and headed into the lab.
The day dragged.
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