Page 15 of With Love

“Hey. Is this a good time? I can come back if you want me to,” he says.

“Now is fine. Actually, I was just getting ready to come find you. Would you like to come in and sit down?” I ask, pointing to the sitting area.

“Yes, thank you.” He makes his way over to the same chair that he sat in one week ago.

I take my place across from him on the sofa. We both stare at one another awkwardly for a few moments, a goofy smile on his face. A very uncomfortable look on my face, I’m sure.

* * *

Marshall

“Why don’t you go first?” She suggests.

“No, please. I insist,” I answer.

She smiles and takes a deep breath as if she’s gathering up the courage to ask me whatever it is she needs to ask me.

“Well, I’ve been considering what we talked about last week and, I think I’m finally ready for some answers.”

“Oh,” I respond. I knew that she would be at some point, but I wasn’t positive it would be so soon. “Okay. Please, feel free to ask me anything.”

She steels herself once more and sits up straight. She begins to open her mouth, but stops herself. Crinkling her forehead and standing, she walks over to the window. Looking straight out into the woods surrounding us, she crosses her arms in front of her. After a minute or two, she finally speaks.

“How do you know him?” She starts.

“We were friends,” I pause. “More like brothers, really.”

She turns, her eyes narrowed with confusion.

“Not the answer you were expecting?”

With a look of shock still on her face, she turns back toward the window.

“How can I be your wife and his wife at the same time?” Though she isn’t looking at me, I can picture the sarcasm written all over her face coupled with her classic eye-roll.

“Did you ever see any proof of your marriage? A license? A photograph from your wedding day?”

“No.”

“Because, you were never legally his wife. There was no wedding.”

“I asked him for proof once. It didn't go well.”

“What do you mean by that?” I ask.

“Nothing,” she answers as she shakes her head. “Let’s just say it was rare that I asked him any questions after that.”

I am positive I know what that means and I try to calm the rage that is swirling within me.

“Do you have proof?” She turns and looks at me. “Proof that I was, am legally your wife?”

“Yes. Would you like to see it?”

“No,” she answers quickly.

“Okay,” I say. “Let me know if that ever changes.”

“Were we happy?” She asks.

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