“Not yet, Mom. I talked to Megan and hour ago. They were just finishing a late lunch.”
“Well, Liz said she’d help me with dinner, and I’m about to start cooking.”
Matt knew his mother better. She didn’t like anyone in her kitchen when she was preparing dinner. She just liked having the family around and ready for it. She often humored Liz by letting her peel potatoes or toss the salad. And Matt had been grateful to his mother for breaking her rules.
“Matt can you call her and see how far they are,” Francis asked.
“Yeah,” he said flatly, silently grateful for the ask. He still wasn’t ready to really talk to her but maybe it was a good idea that they were heading home that night. The hour-plus drive would be torturous, but at least they could get away from everyone, and think about what they will do next.
What he was going to do.
Forgiving her for the betrayal and the lies was not something that seemed conceivable. Could they live together with just their love, and no trust? Why should he forgive her? And why in God’s name was he sitting there, struggling with himself and feeling guilty for considering ending their marriage?
Ending their marriage.
Could I do it?Why not?Liz had never once shown any hint of remorse or guilt or any implications that she’d been keeping a secret. The more he thought about it, the stronger his chest burned with rage. Working things out was not an option that he could handle at the moment.
Oh yeah.They needed to talk again. And this time, in the privacy of their own home. He was going to make it very clear that this hadn’t been what he signed up for.
He picked up the phone and dialed. A few seconds later, they all turned to a vibrating sound in the room.
Still holding his phone against his ear, Matt reached for Liz’s phone which was lying on the coffee table.
Chapter 4
LIZ
“I’m glad you came out with me,” Liz admitted to Megan on their drive back home. She glanced at the clock. 4:58. She’d be back at the house in time to help Francis with dinner, as she’d promised. Her heart started racing as she realized she’d have to brave dinner with the family.
“Don’t act like you didn’t notice that look that Francis gave me.”
“You know what I love about you Meg,” Liz knew Megan hated being called Meg, so she only did it when she hoped to irritate her. “How honest you are. Here I am trying to thank you for doing something nice and you don’t know when to just play along,” Liz croaked out, concealing the growing panic of going back to the house. They didn’t talk much while shopping, but now Liz was trying to match Megan’s carefree personality. It was only natural when around someone like her.
Megan gave Liz a genuine smile with a wink. “She didn’t have to twist my arm.”
Liz smiled back and turned back to the road. They were a few minutes from the house. Liz’s heart sank again, landing in the pit of her stomach. She dreaded going back. She’d stopped at every store at the mall, ordered a three-course meal for lunch, which she was now regretting. All to avoid going back to the house and facing Matt again. She wasn’t sure if she could handle it. The cold, emotionally absent stare…there was nothing left in him…she knew it was over. She didn’t even see the hurt in his eyes anymore. He must have made up his mind after he left their room last night. She took a silent, deep breath, pushing down the heaviness in her heart. She needed to make it through the night. Megan had been considerably quiet most of the day. Normally, Megan would be too into her work no matter where she was and easily irritable at random details. But the past six hours were strange. Megan was careful and patient with whatever Liz had wanted. Megan wasn’t the warmest person, nor the friendliest, but she was very understanding to human emotion. And though her sympathy wasn’t always obvious, you knew she cared.
“So we’re in a safe space, you can say it now,” Liz pressed.
“Say what?” Megan squinted at the road.
Liz shot her a look.
“I don’t know, Liz,” she started. “I’m sorry but I have nothing encouraging or reassuring to say.”
Liz understood that. Heck, she probably wouldn’t have believed her if she had.
Megan took a deep breath. “Remember when Ben talked to you after he’d told me about that night?”
Liz blinked hard and nodded. “He said I should do the same, and soon,” she admitted quietly.
“And then you came and talked to me, to make sure ‘we were cool’.”
Liz laughed. “Did I really say that?”
“Those aren’t my words,” Megan replied with a shake of her head. Then looked thoughtfully at Liz. “Can I tell you something?”
Liz glanced at her in response.
