21

Flash Back (lovely moments)

I got the car started and back on the road, resuming the trip. I found myself driving insanely fast.

"Please, slow down," Rachel requested timidly, not looking at me this time.

My body was coursing with adrenalin, as much from Rachel as from the near accident. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to slow down.

Rachel got out of the car and came around to the driver's side, motioning for me to lower the window. I sat there looking at her through the glass for a few seconds before finally lowering it. Rachel tilted her head forward just a little too close.

I started to sweat. I couldn't move or say anything.

"Thank you," she said simply, smiling at me and then turned and ran into her house.

It was a long drive home, especially with a raging hard-on. My house was cold and

dark when I got home.

"Just like my fucking life and marriage," I muttered under my breath, as I locked up

and went upstairs to bed.

The rest of the weekend was non-descript and Monday came just a little too fast. The following week was a long exercise in de-motivation.

I felt like my whole life was turning into Groundhog Day and the only thing I could

think about was my barely-legal babysitter. For God's sake, she was still in high school!

My wife was not a bitch when I married her. She had changed somehow. I would figure it out and come up with a plan. I wasn't about to give up. I made up my mind to make a concerted effort to connect with my wife again. Maybe

she was cold because I was cold. If I tried hard enough and long enough she wouldbcome around again.

I bought a dozen roses after work on Friday and made reservations for one of her favorite restaurants for Saturday night. When he got home, Kathy was

standing in the foyer with two heavy bags and her hands on her hips.

"It's about time you got home." She glared at me.

"I...are you going somewhere?" I handed her the roses.

"How nice, but they'll be dead before I get home. You've got a black thumb," she said distractedly, throwing them down on the table in the foyer.

"What do you mean? Where are you going? You know I have to work tomorrow?" I said.

"Yes. I know you have to work. Some of us keep calendars. I'm going to my sister's for a few days." She said.

"Why?" I asked.

"She just had surgery this morning." she said.

"I knew that," I lied. I had forgotten all about it. "Is she okay? I didn't think you were going down there though." I said.

"I wasn't, but she called and really needs me. I called Rachel already and she'll be here before you go to work tomorrow. I've got to go. I should be back by Tuesday evening."

Then, without a goodbye or a parting good wish, Kathy was out the door.

"Well shit." I stared after her for a moment and then went in to see the kids.

I and the kids had a great night, playing the Wii and eating way too much sugar filled food and candy. It was the best night we had together in months. I hated to admit it, but I thought it was probably because Kathy was gone. She hardly ever seemed to have fun anymore.

The next morning I woke up late. The alarm hadn't gone off or maybe I just forgot to set it. Usually Kathy reminded me. "Damn her," I muttered as I ran into the shower.

I threw on some clothes and ran down the stairs. I was immediately greeted to the scent of eggs and bacon wafting from the kitchen.

"What? How?"

"Oh there you are, sleepy head." Rachel leaned out of the kitchen doorway, she held out a cup of coffee to me.

"Uh...good morning Rachel," I said, taking the coffee. "I forgot you were coming over. I guess Kathy gave you a key?"

"No silly. I know where you guys keep the extra key outside. So I came early and decided you could use a good hot breakfast. That's yours at the table. Hurry up and eat so you aren't late."

"Wow. Thank you," I said sitting down at the table and digging in. I couldn't

remember the last time I had eaten a hot breakfast at home. Kathy just decided one day that she was done cooking.

The kids had already finished. I stood up and grabbed my briefcase and jacket. "I'm not sure how late I'll be Rachel," I said.

"That's no problem. Stay as late as you need to. We'll be fine." She said smiling.

"I'll call and order you a pizza if I'm going to be really late." I said.

I was now awake enough to really look at Rachel. She was wearing another skin tight t-shirt and I could see the outline of her nipples poking out. She wasn't wearing a bra. Shit!

Rachel laughed. Had she caught me glancing at her chest? I started to turn red. "Don't worry about pizza, I'll cook something up. Just let me know when

you'll be home. I love to cook, and I've got two really good helpers in there." she said.

"Two good helpers? what can they do? They are too small, they are still babies". I said and she laughed.

Say good bye to your dad, guys," she said to the kids.

"Good bye datty!" two little voices shot out in unison.

"It's daddy not datty" Rachel corrected them.

I felt warmth in my chest. This is how family life should be.