Part 1 (2/2)

She hated being called Amy.

And, for the first time, she could admit it to herself.

I am not Amy, she whispered. Im Mel.

Crus.h.i.+ng the ring against her palm in her tightly clenched fist, she finally burst into tears.

Mel breathed a sigh of relief when Marcia answered her phone. Hey, sweetie, Marcia greeted her. How you doing?

Shed moved to her car for this conversation. The winds had picked up, and now drops of rain were starting to spatter against her winds.h.i.+eld, making marks in the salt-spray residue that had already coated the gla.s.s while shed been parked there.

You know how you and Derrick offered to let me stay at your place for a while?

Marcias tone changed. Concerned. Yeah?

She took a deep breath. Is that offer still good, to stay in your spare room for a while?

Aww, sweetheart, of course. Are you okay?

No. But maybe I will be once this is all over.

Hes still refusing to go to a doctor or counselling?

Yes.

When the truth had exploded in Amelias face that Sat.u.r.day shed spent with Marcia and Derrick and their friends at the BDSM club, it had taken her nearly two weeks to finish digesting the information, everything shed seen, her own feelings. To research.

Only then had she approached Mike again, asking if hed reconsider going to counselling.

Another vocal, emphatic no.

She asked if he would go in for a check-up with his doctor. He was due anyway. She could go with him and ask about”

No.

Not just no, but a h.e.l.l no, from Mike.

I dont ask to go to your lady doctor. You dont need to go to mine. Im not a kid.

Yet, he was acting like one.

A spoiled one who didnt want to do any kind of hard work to earn or keep what he had.

Shed tried initiating cuddling and s.e.x with him and got turned down, his usual excuse being that he was too tired and not in the mood.

She doubted he was cheating on her. He never tried to hide his cell phone, there were no suspicious changes in his activities or schedule, and if he wasnt at work, he was usually at home, either doing ch.o.r.es or sitting in front of the TV.

There was no more try inside her. The well had completely dried up.

Im so sorry, Marcia said. Do you know when you want to move in?

I dont know. I wanted to make sure it was still available first. You sure you guys dont mind?

We wouldnt have made the offer if we minded, she said. Youre family.

I dont know whats going to happen with the divorce, she said. Ill need to talk to Ed and find out how much itll be. And whatever equity we have in the house will probably be eaten up by legal fees for both of us. I cant afford to keep the house alone.

Its okay, Marcia a.s.sured her. This will work out the way it should. Just keep remembering that.

Mike was supposed to be my happy ending. I thought he was the guy Id spend the rest of my life with.

People change as they age. Sometimes for the better, sometimesnot.

He sure as h.e.l.l has. They used to do things together, like go biking, hiking, walks. Movies. The beach.

Nothing expensive or ritzy, b.u.t.time spent together.

Now it felt like Mike could barely stand the sight of her despite what hed said.

Where are you right now? Marcia asked.

I drove down to Manasota Key. I was looking for sharks teeth.

Its a pretty c.r.a.ppy beach day.

I know. It was perfect. I had the place to myself.

Ah. Do you want to come over and go to dinner and the club with us tonight?

I was going to ask if I could spend the night.

Thats fine, too.

Thanks. Sorry to invite myself over like this.

Honey, again. Youre family. We extended the offer and we meant it. Go home and pack some stuff. Well do a late brunch tomorrow with some of the girls.

When was the last time shed just gone somewhere and hung out with friends?

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