Page 6 of The Next Of Us
Shaking my head, I made my way out onto our quiet street in Little River and made my way to the garden center.
I turned back once to look at the house that was so perfect it may as well have been plucked from my imagination.We’d gone out on a bit of a limb to buy it, but it had served us well.
Backing onto a thick pine forest, it boasted five bedrooms, fully finished recreation and workout rooms in the basement, and thanks to Max and Wren’s exquisite taste, beautiful decor.
With a steady stream of kids, then teenagers, and finally, young adults streaming in and out, it had almost seemed too small at one time.Now I spent my time cleaning a house that never collected any dust.It was far too big for two people, especially when only one of us spent any time here.
I lifted my chin and continued on.One day our grandchildren would race through those rooms.They would fill it with laughter once again.
Not that it had only known laughter.
Money got tight when our eldest, Thalia, ran into some trouble.Aaron and I decided one of us should stay home.He volunteered, but I insisted.He’d worked too hard to build his practice.And for me, with my daughter struggling, cooking had lost much of its flavor.
Years later, boredom and an empty nest pushed this mama bird back out into a job market for which I was woefully unprepared.
I hauled the heavy door of the garden center open and burst inside, stomping my feet on the mat inside the door.
“It’s getting bitter out there,” Carlos greeted me.
Working part-time with Carlos wasn’t exactly my life’s calling, but it got me out of the house for a few hours a week.
I had considered returning to my first love, but long nights running a kitchen along with Aaron’s long days in his clinic would have left no time for us.
“It is.”I toed off my boots and tucked them away before putting on my running shoes.Unwinding my scarf, I hung up my coat then headed over to the counter where Carlos so diligently tended his leafy babies.
If I could have gone back in time, I might have chosen something that could better sustain the family life I craved.In any case, it was far too late to start over.And wasn’t this the time we should be focussing more on us?
I’d chased my career.I raised my kids.I wanted my husband.
My chest ached.I dropped my eyes to shutter the pain.Did my sweet husband still want me?
Closing my eyes, I inhaled the earthy fragrance of rich earth and hothouse roses and let it wrap around my bruised spirit like the sweetest balm.I’d have had a jungle in my house, but I was infamous for killing plants.
Poor Carlos.
Looking up from his work, he grinned and tossed me a saucy wink.“You’re looking gorgeous as always.”
I laughed.“Stop, Carlos.I’ll tell Vera.”
My eyebrows rose.Tattling to Vera would give me a good excuse to drop by Aaron’s office and see what was going on.A ripple of dismay stopped my thoughts in their tracks because I couldn’t remember the last time I walked over to see my husband or bring him lunch at work.
I did it so often, he bought custom TV trays that hovered over those ridiculous beanbag chairs he loved so we could picnic in his office.A smile softened my lips then slowly faded.
When did I stop making us picnics?
And why hadn’t he said anything?
Carlos cackled.“Tell her!I love it when she gets a little jealous.”He grinned again.“Brings out the feline in her.”
“Oh my God.”I shook my head but could not help but laugh.“You’re incorrigible.”
“Married for forty years to that woman.I know her better than I know myself.”He beamed.“And that’s the way she likes me.”
I laughed and peered at the line-up of pots on the counter.Inhaling a centering breath, I pulled my thoughts away from my floundering marriage.“Why do you have all the bonsai trees out again?”
“Ah,” he began.“Today I’m going to teach you how to care for them.”
I looked at him quizzically.“Haven’t we been doing just that for the past three weeks?”
