Page 152 of For the Sub

How many more were there still?

The cause of the accident was ultimately listed as excessive speed, and she’d driven off the side of the mountain.

Toxicology reports eventually showed that her blood alcohol content was significantly above the legal limit.

The funeral had been a gloomy, rainy nightmare.

He’d kept his counsel while friends and colleagues offered their condolences, and he was filled with rage over her betrayal.

For a moment, he’d caught a glimpse of Lori in the distance, beneath an umbrella. She hadn’t approached him, and he appreciated that.

Since then, he hadn’t seen her.

Now, after a few bicyclists pedaled by, never glancing his way, and having no idea about the awful wreck that had happened so close to the roadway, he released his grip on the steering wheel and exited the vehicle.

The small crosses were side by side.

The one on the left was adorned with personal items, a new photo, proving that Lori had been a recent visitor.

There was also a solar light, along with fresh flowers.

In front of the other cross, there was nothing.

Eleanor had been an only child, and her parents were gone.

Since that fateful day, he’d never returned.

Lowering himself to one knee, he pulled out the box he’d tucked away.

Once it was open, the fall sunlight glinted off the wedding ring and day collar that he’d found in her dresser drawer.

How long had their marriage been over when he found out the truth?

And how was it possible for him to have not seen how unhappy she had to have been to have led a secret, shadow life?

He picked up her day collar, and a gust of wind whipped up, making the clasp sway.

Without a second thought, he moved aside some dried up pine needles and used a stick to dig into the ground. Then he placed the item in the small hole.

Never hesitating, he dropped her wedding ring on top of it before covering both up.

He waited for grief that never came.

Instead, resolve took its place.

He pushed himself to his feet and stood in the elements, allowing the sunshine to wash over his face and the breeze to chase away his ghosts.

Eleanor was free.

And now so was Niles.

He looked over the vast, expansive view.

He’d learned his lessons.

To never allow himself to be blind to the obvious.

To recognize and honor the things that mattered most.

---