Page 55 of Moonlit Kisses

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Arriving home, my headlights land on a figure sitting on the bottom step leading up to my apartment in the dark. The closer I get, I recognize Martin’s wife, Beth. My stomach sinks like a rock to the bottom of the ocean and dread fills me. I just need some freaking time. Is that so hard?

I park around the back in my designated space, draw in a deep breath and remind myself that I’m a reasonable person and that my response to Martin last night was understandable. I was well within my rights to feel the way I felt as he shared his side of the story.

The woman rises from the bottom step, dusting off her pants as she stands to face me. Her face is drawn tight, and she gives me a smile that comes across as more of a grimace. “Uh, hi, Molly. I’m sorry to intrude, but I wanted to check on you and make sure you’re alright after last night.”

Well, that wasn’t what I was expecting. I figured she was here to put Martin’s case forward. “Hi, Beth. Thanks for stopping by. I guess Martin told you dinner didn’t go so well.”

She shakes her head. “Something like that. If I know Martin, I’m sure he blurted everything out without considering how it would be received or how distressing it may be for you to hear.”

I huff out a breath. “Do you want to come upstairs?”

“Sure. Thanks.” She runs back to her car, grabs her purse, and then follows me upstairs.

I unlock the door, turn on the light, and disarm the alarm before hanging my keys on the hook by the door and dropping my purse on the floor. I probably should buy an entry table, but money is still a little tight. “Make yourself at home. Would you like a glass of water? I don’t have much else, sorry.”

She waves me off. “A glass of water would be great. Thank you.” Beth takes a seat on the small sofa and when I walk in with two glasses of water, I find her staring at the box of photographs Martin left behind. “There are some great memories in that box.”

I nod. “I’m sure. It was nice to see some photos of Mom before she had to deal with the stresses of parenthood.”

Beth nods. “We were all friends, you know.” I got that impression when I looked through the photos and Martin said the same thing. There were several of Mom and a much younger Beth, as well as photos of the three of them. “I was devastated when Nicole disappeared. She was my best friend.” She takes a sip of cold water, her hand shaking slightly. “It took months before Martin told me how he’d behaved toward her when she told him she was pregnant … and only after I’d got fed up with him being overly reckless. He turned to drinking. One night, while he was drunk, he confessed everything. I didn’t even know Nicole was pregnant until he blurted it out. She never said a thing. Just vanished.” Tears are tracking down Beth’s cheeks, so I grab the tissues and hand them to her. “Thanks.” She takes a couple and wipes her eyes, then blows her nose. “Sorry. Whenever I reflect on that time, I get very emotional.” This must be hard for her if they were as close as she says. Not only did she lose Mom back then, but she’s also found out that Mom has passed away.

I nod. “I figured you were all friends from the photographs Martin left for me. How did it come about that you and Martin got together?” Oh, that was probably a little forward. “If you don’t mind me asking.”

“It was some time after. Martin and I remained friends and then I went through a terrible break up. The guy I was with liked to communicate with his fists.” She waves off the last part like it’s inconsequential. “Martin stepped up and helped me get back on my feet physically and emotionally. One thing led to another …” she shrugs, “and here we are.” Her eyes rise from studying her glass to meet mine. “I know I’ve always been his second choice. If Nicole had ever come back, I think he would have left me in a heartbeat.”

I’m certain my head snaps back as though she’s slapped me. “But you have kids together.”

“I’m not sure that would have mattered. I don’t really know, and I guess I never will now.” She reaches across, laying her hand over mine. “I’m truly sorry about your mom, Molly. When I picked Martin up from here last week and Max filled me in on what the two of you had discovered, I was devastated to learn that Nicole was gone. Even though I hadn’t seen or heard from her in all these years, I still thought of her often and I missed our friendship.”

Her pain is radiating from her in waves. But I have to wonder how she’s lived in Mom’s shadow all these years. Wondering if her husband would stay or leave if Mom had ever returned. I don’t think I could live that way.

“If I’m being completely honest, the more I’m learning about Martin, the less I want to get to know him. The way he reacted to Mom when she told him she was pregnant, to the way you’re not even sure if he would have stayed with you had Mom returned. What I’m hearing is that he’s a man who only thinks about himself. Not a quality I like.”

Beth draws in a long breath. “Don’t get me wrong. The man has his flaws, just as anyone does, but he is agoodman. He’s great with his kids; loves and adores them. He would do anything for them and for you … if you’ll let him. He’s been a fantastic husband. Attentive, supportive, and loving. What I mentioned before is my self-doubt.” She brings her hand over her heart. “If I were to dig deep, I know he wouldn’t walk away from me and the kids. He’s too good a man for that.” She pauses and nods her head slightly. “He would have done the right thing by you and Nicole if she hadn’t left before he got himself together. I have no doubt about that.”

We’re both quiet for long moments. I’m not sure where we go from this point.

“Did he show you photos of our children?” Her voice is timid, as though she’s unsure she should bring them up.

I shake my head. “No, he didn’t. We mainly talked about Mom, and I needed to get ready for work. Then last night, I asked him to share his side of the events and, well … that didn’t go down so well.”

She digs out her phone, navigating to the photo album. “I think you may be surprised. You look a lot like Nicole but take a look.”

She holds out her phone and I take it, preparing to see my half-siblings for the first time. Because out of all of this, I’ve learned I have a sister and a brother. I gasp as my eyes connect with my sister. Her hair is darker than mine, almost black like her mom’s, but we are definitely sisters. I glance up at Beth with wide eyes. “How?”

“I don’t know. I’m guessing that even though you have a lot of Nicole in you, you also have enough of Martin that you maybe didn’t recognize because you weren’t looking for it.”

I guess so, but this is unreal. I flick to the next photo, which is of my brother. He looks like the male version of his sister, which means our resemblance is also strong.

“Noah doesn’t have dimples,” I comment and Beth shakes her head. I glance back at my brother. He looks about the same age as Ethan. “How old are they?”

“Holly is seventeen, while Noah is fourteen.” The pride that fills Beth’s face is unmistakable.

I raise my brows. “What are the chances that my name’s Molly and your daughter’s name is Holly?” I chuckle a little, because, well, that’s just weird.

She lifts one shoulder and allows it to drop, shaking her head from side to side with a half-grin. “I dunno.”

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