Page 58 of Chasing Sunsets

Truman had tried especially hard to get information from him and Sadie today. They’d ignored him until he’d given up. Maybe their camera person had nagged Jude and Maxine as well.

“Long drive today,” Zack said.

“Too long and frustrating for Jude.” Maxine glanced at him. “He broke.”

“I’m sure you want to tell your side of the story,” the camera worker tried again.

Not acknowledging the comment, Maxine kept going straight ahead. Feeling protective, Zack hesitated a step and let Maxine walk a little farther in front of him, then came up beside her on her other side, between her and the camerawoman.

“Jude told the world I’ve lied to him since the day we met and through thirty-five years of marriage,” she murmured. “In his defense, it’s true. In my defense, I had my reasons.”

Under the covered snack area, aChasing Sunsetssign pointed to a section that had bright blue metal picnic tables with attached spinning stools. Some opponents were already waiting. Sadie was nowhere to be found. He grabbed two lemonades out of a large barrel of ice and handed one to Maxine. He and Maxine sat across from each other. It felt good to be out of the sun.

She sipped her drink. “I can’t ignore this forever. I may as well come clean to the world. At least I’ve already told our kids.”

“You don’t have to say anything you don’t want to,” Zack assured her.

“What does it matter now? The damage is done. I’m not sure Jude will ever forgive me. I made the only choice I thought I could.”

“I’m sure he needs time to process it all.”

“Maybe. I can’t say I’m upset it’s not a secret any longer. As bad as the riff is between us, I’m relieved the truth is out.” She motioned the nosy camerawoman over. “Okay, Pricilla, I’m ready to explain.”

The worker excitedly began filming.

Maxine faced the lens. “Young and impressionable, I found myself pregnant at fifteen. I was sent to a house for girls in trouble. I considered keeping the baby, except I had no way to support us. Without options, I stayed at the home until I delivered the baby and gave it up for adoption. Instead of returning home, I lived with my aunt and uncle in another state and finished high school. After graduation, I worked whatever jobs I could while putting myself through college. At a parade, of all places, Jude bumped into me and caused me to spill a soft drink all over myself. He apologized repeatedly and wanted to buy me lunch at a nearby café. Afterward, he asked for my phone number and if he could take me out. It was the beginning of a beautiful life together. I never told him about the baby. Then one day last October a woman came to our home searching for me.”

“What happened,” another cameraperson who recorded from a different angle asked.

“Jude answered the door. I walked from the kitchen to hear him telling a woman that they had three children, and she couldn’t possibly be ours. I came forward in a daze as I listened to her explanation of what she’d been told about her birth mother. When she finished, I knew she was my daughter.” She smiled. “You can imagine my elation. I rushed over and embraced her.”

Maxine put a hand to her forehead. “Jude took a step back and watched us. He nodded when I introduced him and acted cordial.”

She sniffed. “When she left, he packed his bags. I’ve tried to talk to him, but he refuses to listen.”

“Why aren’t you divorced?” Priscilla asked.

“I want to work it out,” Maxine responded. “As long as he hasn’t filed, I’m hopeful.”

The workers filming set down their equipment.

“Zack,” Sadie called from across the area.

Before he got up, he patted Maxine’s hand. “That took guts. You’re a strong woman.”

“Tell that to my husband.”

“I suspect he knows.” He jumped up and ran toward Sadie.

They received a clue, and she drove to an address downtown. Dusk shadowed them as sunset threatened. The black high-rise building with dark windows reflected the orange glow of the sky. They were directed to the lobby and toward the stairwell.

They crossed the finish line atop the building, and Gemini enthusiastically shouted, “You’re the third to arrive.”

The rest of the couples arrived within fifteen minutes and just in time for sunset. Zack stood next to Sadie enjoying the red, orange, and purple sky as the sun set. This race had taught him at least one thing. He needed to watch more sunrises and sunsets. There was something spiritual, almost transcendent, about witnessing a day awakening and nightfall descending.

Once filming stopped, Sadie sat in a chair with the women, and Zack joined the men in the corner. Odd, how he didn’t care anymore if they won. Every day they performed their best, really all they could do.

Jude turned toward him. “Thank you. I understand you interfered between Maxine and the camera crew to protect her.”

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