AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I swept her hair back from her face and held it at her nape while the poor thing barfed neon-green fluid with alarming force. Good Christ, did she have an alien smoothie for breakfast? What the hell was that?
“Oh, baby, you poor girl,” I crooned as she gave a shuddering dry heave. I continued to assist with her hair until I was certain she was done and quickly supported her around the waist when she finally stood up.
“Tell me how to help you. You want some water? There’s a fountain just inside the play yard gate,” I offered, at a complete loss on what to do for her.
“Leave me alone,” she groaned. “Seriously, Carmen, just go. You’ll be late for church, and what will they all say?” she bit as she attempted to wipe her lips and chin with the hem of her dress. I stopped her before she ruined the pretty outfit and dug for my handkerchief in the pocket of my slacks.
“Here. Don’t ruin your dress, baby.” I held out the cloth, and she glared at it and then at me like she’d like both to spontaneously combust. But fluid was dripping down her chin that she swiped at with her hand.
After looking at the gross streak now on her fingers, she begrudgingly snagged my offering.
“Thanks,” she muttered and turned her back to me as she cleaned up. She hung her head, and her whole body shook.
It took me a few seconds longer than it probably should have to realize she was crying. I couldn’t just stand there and watch her fall apart, because I truly cared about the woman. Not to mention, she had told me she never cried. Was this a turning point…or her breaking point?
“Come on, I’ll help you to the car,” I offered and put my arm around her trembling body. At once, she wriggled free from my assistance and whirled on me with an expression that was downright frightening.
“I said leave me alone. We’re done as far as I’m concerned.” She angrily pointed back and forth between us and said, “This isn’t going to work between us. I may have been trying to convince myself that maybe there was some snowball’s chance in hell that it could, but now I know.”
The disheveled woman shook her head ruefully. “That”—she stabbed the air in the direction of the church, and it wasn’t until she continued chewing me out that I realized she was referring to the conversation we’d just had in front of the building—“that was unforgivable and a real eye-opener. You can’t take shit like that back. So don’t even try.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, because a lot was said in a short period of time, and we were both pretty pissed off. Honestly, I couldn’t even recall what I had said.
“You don’t trust me. You accused me of faking being sick. Did that look fake?” She thumbed over her shoulder so forcefully, I thought she might have dislocated the ball and socket.
“No, that looked like alien stomach bile, if I’m being honest. What the hell did you eat?” Yes, it was a stupid remark, especially given how pissed and hurt she was, but unfortunately, it was the first thing that came out of my mouth.
I deserved the glare I got that time. I’d be the first to admit it.
“Sorry. I’m not trivializing anything you just said. I’ve just never seen anything like that.” I chuckled, trying to lighten the air between us, but she wasn’t having it.
“I’m glad this is all a big joke to you, Carmen. I want my journal back first thing when we get home, and then I’m packing my stuff and leaving.” She scanned the parking lot for what I assumed was my car and then set off in the wrong direction.
“Where are you going?” I called while jogging to catch up to her as she stomped across the uneven grass in her high heels. I was in position beside her just in time to catch her small frame as she nearly overturned her ankle on top of everything else.
Even though she didn’t return the embrace, I stood with my arms snuggly around her until she calmed down and was breathing evenly.
I ducked down so I was staring right into her glassy blue eyes. In the sunlight, I noticed strands of gold through the blue iris that I hadn’t seen before. Instinctually I pressed a kiss to her clammy forehead and said against her skin, “I’m so sorry I hurt you.”
She looked up to hold my gaze but said nothing. Tears were back, and she squeezed her eyes shut as if doing so would hold them in.
“Let’s get you home and tucked into bed. I think you must have picked up a bug somewhere.” With my arm firmly around her shoulders, I turned us in the opposite direction and started off toward the other side of the parking lot.
“I thought we parked over there?” she said weakly.
“No, we’re this way, just a few rows in. You okay to walk? I could carry you,” I suggested and had every intention of making good on the offer if she needed me to.
“Don’t you dare. I’ve already embarrassed myself enough for one decade. Just take me home, and I’ll be out of your way in an hour or so,” she rambled as we made it to my car.
After situating her in the passenger seat, securing her seat belt, and adjusting the vents so cool air would wash over her, I went around to the driver’s side. Behind the wheel, I looked over at my wife and felt deep sadness at the thought of her leaving.
“I can’t let you leave, Storm. I won’t do it.” I quietly but resolutely made the declaration and started the ignition. She could argue and protest all she liked, but she wouldn’t be moving out today.
Or tomorrow, for that matter.
We drove home in silence. My thoughts were all over the place, and I couldn’t settle on one in particular that seemed like a good jumping-off point to a productive conversation. At a red light, I looked over and saw she had dozed off. My beautiful storm was finally calm, peaceful in the first stages of rest.
The jackass behind us laid on his horn when the light changed and I didn’t immediately take off. I was too transfixed by the woman sleeping in my passenger seat.
