Page 24 of Margot
CHAPTER SIX
SUTTON
For four days in a row, I practiced for twelve-hours. I took breaks and naps and often times crawled into bed long after the light had gone out in the bedroom. I knew Lennox was upset but I’d turned into a machine. I just needed to get through the next week and a half and I’d be back to normal.
When Lennox left for work, I was busy going over the concerto but I wanted to stop and ask him if he’d go for coffee with me or at least tell him goodbye but he left without a word. A boulder sank into the pit of my stomach and I paused in playing. The notes still vibrated through my fingers.
I made a note on my calendar to have coffee with him today because I figured that he would be sick of my constant practicing by now but evidently, I’d messed that up too. We were on the verge of making progress and I was systematically undoing everything. I walked over to the window facing the driveway and watched him get into the car and pull off. His movements were so slow and heavy. That wasn’t like him. Lennox was normally upbeat and eager to start the day. Did I do that to him?
I stared down at my hands and sighed heavily. I needed to get out of the house, and according to my calendar, I needed to get out with another person. It was time for me to take a scheduled break so I picked up my phone and sent Sarah a text.
Me: Hey, are you busy?
Sarah: Nah, I just got set up for a little practice. Why?
Me: Can you meet me for coffee at Tuesday’s Café? Twelve-hour days are draining me.
Sarah: Of course! Be there in ten.
I should have been having coffee with Lennox but I knew I’d have to work my ass off to get back into his good graces. Maybe Sarah could give me some insight. She was married too.
I got dressed and pulled on my coat before walking out of the door. Tuesday’s Café was only five minutes away from my house so when I arrived, I sat in the car waiting for Sarah to show up. I didn’t want to go in there alone and get the side-eye from the waitress that loved Lennox. I was busy watching people and imagining how it would be if I could reach out and befriend someone.
I took a decent step when I asked Sarah out for coffee but it was literally typed into my calendar to have coffee. Also, it was supposed to be Lennox and not Sarah. Now that I was away from the piano, I could see how rigid I was being.
I hadn’t said good morning or goodnight to my husband in days. My chest ached and my mind throbbed. I was an awful wife.
My thoughts were snatched away when I saw Ebony walking across the parking lot, smiling down at her phone and texting. I wondered briefly if she were texting Lennox. The wonder was enough to propel me out of the car and send my steps one after the other in her direction.
What was I going to say when I caught up to her?
I’d never been so sure and unsure at the same time. I fell in step behind Ebony but I hung back far enough so I didn’t look like a stalker but I damn sure felt like one. When had I become so worried about Lennox?
Him of all people…
By the time Ebony reached the sidewalk, she paused to pull open the door and our eyes locked. I had to make it look natural because I was starting to come to my senses. What in the world was I doing?
Lennox would never text another woman. He barely noticed anyone but me. Ebony stood watching me for a moment until I found my polite smile. The one I used for the interview. The one I used when we went to dinner with her and her husband.
I rushed ahead as if I were trying to catch the door before she let it close. I poised my mouth to thank her for holding it open for me as I reached out but she let go. The thick glass door crushed my outstretched fingers in the next to nothing space between it and the other door.
Black stretched across my vision.
Crippling pain seared through my bones.
I tugged my hand free but my two of my fingers wouldn’t move and I was too scared to force them. Tears pricked my eyes and I felt the bottom drop from my stomach.
My fingers were mangled.
My fingers.
A sob escaped me as the gravity of the situation forced me to sink to my knees on the cold Baltimore sidewalk. People who saw what happened started to gather around me asking if I was okay but their voices were mutters in a chorus of horror blaring in my mind.
My breathing was shallow and rapid as it tried to keep up with the incessant knock of my scared heart. I couldn’t focus on anything but the pain biting through my bones.
“Oh my fucking god, Sutton!” I heard Sarah’s voice above everyone else’s. She was at my side and I’m not sure how because all I could stare at were my fingers. They were quickly turning purple and swelling faster than I could comprehend.
“What happened?” Sarah nearly screamed. She understood how devastating everything was. She knew.
“Someone let the door close on her hand,” another woman spoke up. I felt a hand rubbing my back in circles. I didn’t know who it was but I couldn’t see or hear much. It was as if I’d faded into the background of my own life.
I barely saw the scene happening in front of me because I’d stepped away into what felt like moonlight.
None of this could be real.
That didn’t happen to me.
I refused to believe it even though the pain stomping through my hand said otherwise.
…
