Page 38 of Blessings in Disguise

“Nah. The stuff smells good.”

They were still standing in the doorway. “Would you like to lie down or talk more?” Caleb asked.

“I’m tired again.”

“Then you’ll sleep.”

Harlan crossed to the desk and put his bag on it--a battered suitcase, filled with belongings provided by Pathways. The poor kid. Teenagers today wore designer sneakers and popular clothes. Later, Caleb could take him to shop for some new stuff.

Harlan kicked off his shoes and stretched out on the bed.

Caleb pulled up the navy throw at the bottom of the mattress. “Sleep, buddy.”

The boy nodded…then nodded off.

For a few minutes, Caleb watched him, hoping he’d made the right decision.

You have, son.

Nope, none of that. He wasn’t going there ever again.

He left the room, closed the door and trundled downstairs. He reached the bottom just as the doorbell rang. He hoped it was Gemma. He could use her support now.

But no. Marlena, hiswife, stood on the front porch. She looked ridiculous in a summer raincoat. It was over eighty degrees out.

Annoyance rose quickly in him. “What the hell are you doing here?”

A smarmy smile that used to charm him. “Is that any way to talk to your wife?”

“Soon to be ex-wife. There’s a way to obtain a divorce without your signature. I’m pursuing that.” He hadn’t had time to do it yet but she wouldn’t know that.

And right there under the porch light, she opened the coat and let it fall to the cement. He nearly jumped back. She stood before him in a skimpy black bra and thong. She’d never worn that kind of lingerie before.

Ah, she came here to seduce him.

“You’re embarrassing yourself, Marlena. Pick up the coat and go away.”

“I want you back.” She leaned in. “We had a good sex life.”

“Up until you betrayed me.” His voice had risen.

“Let’s go to bed and settle this there,” she whispered.

“I will never sleep with you again.”

“Well, that’s good to hear.” A saner voice and a sober one. Behind the half-naked woman Caleb saw Gemma had arrived.

Quickly, he stepped outside and around Marlena. He grabbed Gemma’s hand to keep her from leaving. “Come inside.”

She hesitated.

“Please.”

She nodded and went into the house. Marlena tried to follow her, but he blocked this crazy woman. And took out his phone. “Now you leave or I’ll call 911. The cops can take you away.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

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