Page 19 of A Second Chance At Forever

I took a drink of water and took a small bite of the sandwich but couldn’t stomach the food. I pushed the plate away and played with the label on my water bottle.

“You need to eat with your medication, honey,” Kathryn tried.

“I’m not taking it anymore. It makes me feel groggy. I think I’m going to go lie down for a bit longer, though.” I stood slowly and walked toward the living room couch.

“Oh, here’s your phone. It wouldn’t stop ringing and I didn’t want it to wake you.” Kathryn handed me the phone.

I took it from her, not really wanting to see what it had to say, and laid down on the couch.

I had several messages from Alissa asking where I was and why I didn’t show up for the interview that was scheduled. I sent her a quick text telling her what happened but didn’t say where I was. I knew I could trust her, but I didn’t want any evidence pointing out my location.

I had missed calls from my agent, but didn’t bother with them. I wasn’t under contract anymore. I had no obligations to go back.

I hadwhat seemed like a million texts and voicemails from Chris. They started out nice, “I’m sorry, please call me.” They got worse as they went along, “Answer your fucking phone, bitch! I will find your ass and you will be praying for death when I’m done with you!”

A tear fell from my eye and rolled down my cheek. I didn’t bother reading the rest or listening to the voicemails, I had a feeling they would all be the same way.

I started watching TV but quickly got bored. I went back to playing with my phone and looking at Mason’s page. I hadn’t looked at it since the day before Chris and I had gotten back together.

There were more pictures of Mason and the mystery girl and my heart broke a little more.

After spendingthe day bored and in pain, I decided to get out of the house and found myself sitting in front of the bar and grill Mason’s brother owned. I almost left ten times before I finally talked myself into going in and getting a drink. I needed something to help with the pain since I didn’t want to keep eating the pills.

I walked in slowly and sat down at the bar.

“Lennox Madison?” Wendy said approaching the bar. “What are you doing here? Does Mason know you’re here?”

“Hey, Wendy. How have you been?” I forced a smile on my face.

Wendy hadn’t changed a bit. She kept her blonde hair at shoulder length, but instead of it being stick straight like it used to be, it hung in soft, flowing curls. She looked more mature, but even more beautiful than when I left.

“I’m good. I can’t believe you’re here.” She came around the bar and gave me a hug.

She squeezed lightly, but it was enough to bring tears to my eyes.

“How are you doing? Are you going to be sticking around awhile?” she pulled away but kept me at arm’s length.

“I’m okay. Can I get a drink? I mean if I’m not still barred, that is.” I smiled trying my hardest to will away the tears.

Wendy laughed remembering the time I got barred and went to make my drink. “What can I get ya?”

“Jack, please.”

While waiting for my drink, I looked around the bar.

Nothing had changed. The walls were made up of dull wooden planks with a hardwood floor, giving the bar an old, rustic feel. There were pictures hung on the walls of all the local events and big flat screen TV’s playing various games.

Wendy slid the glass toward me and I took a sip, welcoming the burn it brought.

“So how has everything been going?” I asked, sitting the glass down.

“Good, same old shit. What about you? I heard you were getting married.” She leaned in, hoping to get all the juicy details.

“Oh. Well, I’m just taking a little time off. How’s Dane? Is he still hanging around here?”

“Oh, yeah. He ain’t going far from this place.” She walked to the back office and knocked on the door. She stuck her head in, within seconds she was walking back to me with Dane on her heels.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Dane said walking up to me with open arms.

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