Page 9 of All In
Chad’s palm covers my mouth, and he presses his finger up to his lips. “Shhhh…”
Chapter five
1995
Sam
What in the world just happened?
Left standing on Maria’s doorstep, tension builds with each passing second. The contents of the mysterious envelope hold my sole focus.
A letter I’m not sure I want to read.
The world comes to a halt, and my racing heartbeat fills my ears. When Maria walked out of the house with her shoulders slumped and her expression full of sadness, I knew something wasn’t right. Plus, my girl looked exhausted. The first thing that caught my attention was the dark circles under her puffy eyes, which is why I assumed she was sick. That coupled with her coming to the door in her PJs when she knew we had a date tonight.
Thoughts are swirling around in my head like a tornado. I look back at my car, wondering if I should stay or leave, and that’s when it catches my eye, making me pause and take a second look. I notice a vibrant red Corvette parked on the street. The streetlights reflecting off of its polished surface. My nerves were so shot when I arrived, I didn’t see the obnoxious car.
Clearly out of place in this middle-class neighborhood.
Whose car is that?
What is going on?
I have no clue how to reconcile this in my head, so I do the only thing that makes the most sense. Mustering up the courage and with a swift motion, I tear open the envelope. Paper ripping fills the air, mixing with the crickets as my eyes scan the words written on the letter.
Dear Sam,
I am so sorry, but I have to be honest with you. I’ve met someone. Chad, my manager at the warehouse. I am in love with him.
I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me and move on. I want you to be as happy as I am. You deserve to be happy.
Regards,
Maria
My throat has gone completely dry, and heat is rising in my body. I’m pretty sure my head is going to explode, and I’m suddenly weak in the knees. I stumble backward, running my fingers through my hair.
Wait. Did I just read that right? Because there is no way.
As I read and reread the letter, the words seem to blur together, leaving me more and more confused.
She’s met someone?
Chad?
She’s in love with him?
None of this makes sense.
Yet, it does. This would explain why she has been acting strangely. The distant behavior, the shorter hugs, the quick phone calls. But why? Why would she throw this away? Two months ago, we were talking about baby names for our future children while I cuddled her on the couch.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to ease the instant headache I have.This can’t be it. I need more answers.The light is on, so I know she is still in the livingroom. Breathing heavily with determination, I march up the remaining steps and knock on the door.
“Maria! Maria, open the door and come out here so we can talk.”
Nothing.
I pound on the door, this time with my fist, the metal cold on my flesh. “Come on! I know you’re in there.”Why isn’t she coming out?“Maria! Please don’t do this!”
