Discovering Truths by B. Benfield (chrysanthemum read aloud .TXT) 📕

Alright…I’ll be heading your way soon. I’m going to hang back…like down the block, but where I can still see your house. When I see him leave, I’ll swing in and get you and we’ll try to trail him. Be ready, but don’t make it look too obvious that you’re going out somewhere. Okay?

Melinda: Okay.

 

This was just another day in the book of crazy that was my life. Taking some of the pressure off of me was a relief, but I really hoped this was all paranoia. If her suspicions turned out to be true, was there any hope left in the world, or were most human beings incapable of monogamy?

Marcus: Be home late.

Of course you will.

Me: Going to Melinda’s.

He didn’t reply because he didn’t care. That was fine. It was what I had come to expect. I threw myself together and jumped in the car. Time to focus on something other than my no-good husband and my despairing feelings.

Me: I’m here.

Melinda: Okay be on the lookout. He’s getting ready to leave.

 

I watched the house intently, waiting for Jon to exit. After a few minutes, the front door opened and he walked out to his truck. After he was out of the driveway, I pulled in quickly and Melinda rushed out the door. She hopped in my car and we took off.

“Alright, I’m going to try to catch up to him, but not get too close.” I said.

It wasn’t long before we found him. Three cars were ahead of me so I put all of my focus into following him, and remaining unseen.

“Is this the way to his brother’s house?” I asked.

“Yes.” She said.

I didn’t say another word. I knew her adrenaline was pumping and I didn’t want to get her riled up.

Ten minutes later, we were pulling into a fancy neighborhood.

“This is where his brother lives.” She said.

“What do you want me to do?” I asked.

“Turn down that road,” she said, motioning to the left. “He’ll go in the opposite way, and we can creep from the corner for a few.”

I followed her directions and we hung back, just as I did at her home earlier.

“Nice house,” I said. “What does his brother do?”

“He’s an engineer.” She said.

“That explains it. Is he single?”

“Abby,” she said, smacking my arm. “You’re not divorced yet! But yes, he’s single, and I think that’s part of the problem I’m having with Jon right now. I think his bachelor ways aren’t a good influence on Jon.”’

“Well, Mel, I mean, he hasn’t exactly lied to you…that you know of. He said he was going to his brother’s house and that’s where he is.”

She was silent for a moment, gazing out the window. “Yeah. I guess. You can just drop me back off at my house.”

“Are you sure? I’ll stay as long as you want. I have nothing better to do.”

“Just go. I don’t think I’m going to find out anything tonight. I’m not giving up, though. I can’t ignore my instincts.”

“Alright. Fair enough. Want to get dinner?”

“Dinner sounds good. Sounds a lot better than this.”

“I look like a ragamuffin. You good with that?” My hair was in a bun on the top of my head and I had on black Yoga pants with a grey hoodie. I didn’t think we’d be going out, but who cared anyway? Who did I have to impress?

“Have you seen me lately?” she asked. She was wearing jeans and an old Garth Brooks t-shirt. Her hair was in a ponytail and her face clear of make-up. She looked good to me, but if she didn’t have make-up on, she considered herself not presentable.

We went to dinner, but steered clear of any alcohol. We had tea and salads while we talked about how we felt that our lives were falling apart. Melinda was my oldest and best friend, and we’d been through many life experiences together. From high school, to college, to marriage, to our current dilemmas, she’d been there for me through it all, and despite not agreeing with every decision I made when it came to my issue with my husband, she still stuck around. She was the definition of a true friend. I didn’t want to see her hurt.

That night, we laughed and cried together. When I made it home, the overflow of emotions took over. My heart was broken, despite all my efforts to distract my feelings. I wasn’t sure that I’d ever recover.

Chapter Twenty-One

 

It had been raining all day and when I walked to my car after work, I noticed it continue to pour down in thick sheets. Dark clouds covered the sky, and all I wanted in that moment was to go home and put on my warm pajamas then curl up with a soft blanket. The dreary day certainly didn’t help my mood, which was even more of a reason why I needed to attend this appointment.

I drove carefully to the office…the rain always made me nervous. Once I arrived, I pulled my jacket over my head and ran inside. I checked in with the front desk and then sat down, my eyes roaming around aimlessly as I waited for Doctor James to call me back. I was proud of myself. I’d made it this far on my own free will.

“Abby West,” she said, opening the door.

Here goes nothing. I stood up and followed her back to the room. It looked just as it had before, with the black leather couch in the corner and incense burning. It smelled like Jasmine and I sighed, remembering that particular scent was believed to have calming properties, easing depression.

“It’s good to see you again, Abby. How have you been?”

I was relieved that she didn’t ask me why I stopped coming to the