Page 10 of Everything I Want

December 8th

Scott

Me:Good morning Beautiful, don’t worry about dinner tonight, and get ready to do some more arts and crafts tonight. We will be decorating our stockings.

I woke up this morning with a smile on my face. Last night Lorelei and I went to see Santa at the town square. All her kids came to be there for Oliver and I’m just happy I was included in their family time. It feels like yesterday my boys were at the age where Santa was still magical. I will forever be regretful that I missed so much of their childhood due to choosing work.

I run into the general store to grab some things for dinner tonight. I’m going to make Lorelei dinner, Shepherd’s Pie. It’s about the only thing I know how to cook. She has Oliver with her tonight and I thought this was perfect to do with him involved. He loves to help in the kitchen and this would be an easy dinner for him to help with.

I open the door to the store, and grab a basket before Mrs. Smith finds me in the wine aisle.

“Well hello, Scott. You wouldn’t be in here buying that wine for your rumored girlfriend, Lorelei Harper, would you?” Mrs. Smith digs for information with a sweet, innocent look on her smiling face.

“Oh now, Mrs. Smith, you know what they say about those small town rumors.” I wink at her as I head toward the produce section.

“They’re usually true!” She yells after me.

I round the corner and stop. There is my ex-wife, staring me down after undoubtedly hearing Mrs. Smith’s rumor mill questioning.

She left me once the boys graduated high school, but I can’t blame her.

Our marriage was over well before then. And I have to take the blame.

I didn’t make her feel appreciated, or special. I worked too much, and she took the back burner. It took me too long to realize what she was trying to tell me and make the changes I needed to make. I was able to salvage my relationship with the boys, but our marriage was done.

We stayed together for the boys until they graduated high school, but the day after she served me divorce papers.

Our relationship has never really recovered since then, and I thought we could be friendly for the boys’ sake. But when I started dating she turned cold again. All the hurt feelings that Iwas putting in the effort into someone new when she had been asking for it is sure to bring up more hurt. I never faulted her for not wanting to maintain a relationship after that.

“Scott.” She nods in my direction, “Is it true, you’re dating the town’s sweetheart?” She seethes.

“Yes. Lorelei and I are dating.” I confirm for her ears only.

“Well isn’t that just perfect.” She stares past me and walks right out the store.

The boys didn’t tell me she was visiting. She moved to Florida after our divorce. The boys visit her every so often, and she will come for visits, but usually they tell me if she's coming to town.

I finish gathering everything I need and head over to the register.

“I’m sorry, sweetie. I didn’t see her come in. She must have snuck in when I was chatting earlier. Or I would have warned ya she was here. I at least wouldn’t have brought Lorelei up.” Mrs. Smith apologizes as she rings up my items.

“No worries. We’ve been divorced for a few years. I can handle seeing her every now and then,” I shrug.

I notice Mrs. Smith trying to physically keep her lips closed. “What is the rumor there, Mrs. Smith? I know you’ve got something.”

“Well, I heard a few weeks ago, actually I overheard your son on the phone, I figured you knew,” she says sheepishly.

“Knew what?” I was getting impatient with this conversation.

“That your ex-wife is moving back to Lupine Valley, sweetie. She got left behind by that millionaire man she met in Florida with no money, and nowhere to go. I figured those boys would have told you.” I’ll give her credit, she actually looks embarrassed about this one.

“No they haven’t.” Sighing, I grab the bags and say goodbye to Mrs. Smith, assuring her there were no hard feelings that she didn’t let me know sooner.

My boys, Keith and Jason, have been busy giving me a hard time about Lorelei and I admittedly haven’t called them many times over the last week. If she just broke up with her boyfriend, that would explain the hurt feelings that I am dating someone new.

Before I can get out of my car in Lorelei's driveway, I see Oliver running out to meet me. No doubt Lorelei sent him out here to help.

Oliver’s enthusiasm for life is something I wish I could bottle up. His own father chose to give up his rights, but here he is, excited about every little thing you do with him.

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