Page 7 of Travis

Only trouble is the kids part never came, which was so hard, since everything we ever did together since the beginning of us, was successful. It was our first failure. It was our last failure. Well, second-last, if you count our marriage. And that’s a tough thing to get through, but it’s coming. My sister and her husband are huge entertainers, given that Sara is a realtor and Ron schmoozes with his coworkers more than anyone I know. They have the money for it, and they sure like to show it. At least every couple of months they throw a party. Any excuse to have one, but that’s their thing, and I’m okay with that.

Most of them I’m invited to, but this is the only one as of late, where Travis was invited to come, too. But he loves Macey so much, and I get it that they didn’t want to break either one of their hearts. The child has a room in my house we’re so close, and Travis and I had her over all the time when we were together. I know that Travis is still crazy about me, and I’ll always love him, too, but some things you just can’t get over in a marriage. And I didn’t want to end up hating him, or worse, him hating me, so I ended it. I think after some time, we can be friends again, but for now, distance is good. I try to ignore the warm glances or the way his eyes come to me whenever I speak, no matter where I am in the room. It hurts me that he still loves me so much. I don’t know why, but it does.

“God, I need another drink.” I mutter to Sara, who is sitting beside me, no better off than me.

“You know where it is.” She says, eyes glassy, popping another chip covered with taco dip into her mouth. “Oh, but can you please get the big boxes out of Macey’s room? Before you’re so hammered you can’t walk?”

“Why?”

“Because that’s your room tonight. Everyone else is sleeping in all the bigger rooms. Since they’re all couples and all.” She hints, jibing me for being separated.

“Classy. Thanks.” I sneer. Macey’s bedroom is the only one with a single bed in it. The house has six bedrooms, and two more makeshift ones in the basement, so guests are well accommodated. “I’m glad your neighbors, that live walking distance away, will be looked after.”

“Well, walking will be the problem, once we’re done with them.” Ron comments, overhearing.

A couple of neighbors cheer drunkenly, and then someone cranks up the music so loud, I have no choice but to leave the room, since I can’t hear Sara drivel on. With the plan to grab another drink once I’m done in Macey’s room, I head upstairs. Her bedroom is so nice, I quickly forget about feeling resentful about sleeping here tonight. The stuffed animals that I won for her at the carnival this summer sit on her bed, and I pick them up, remembering the fun that we had.

“You need a hand?” I hear at the door, and I look up to see that Travis has followed me.

“No, I’m fine, thanks.” I say, again, without looking at him.

“Becky, you can look at me, you know.” He says warmly. “I don’t bite.”

I look at him. “I know you don’t, and that’s half the problem.”

He smiles and comes to sit next to me, after closing the door, so we can talk peacefully, without having to speak over the music. “What, do you want me to yell at you?” he chuckles.

“Not really.” I say honestly. But I do. I feel like he never got angry at me. Sure, we were both frustrated, but never angry, and that’s why I ended it, before the yelling started.

“I didn’t think so.” He smiles at me, searching my eyes. I want to get out of here, but my inhibitions seem to be muffled with the alcohol coursing through my veins. It’s been a few months since I’ve sat so close to him. It feels foreign but at the same time familiar. It’s an odd sensation. Even odder with us both being intoxicated. “So, how have you been?”

“Good.” I lie. I keep myself busy with work. Sara makes sure I’m not lonely, but without Travis in the house, it’s noticeable. “You?”

“I’m…surviving.” He says, almost teasingly. “School’s been crazy.”

“Yeah? Your grades are still good?”

He nods. “Yeah. I love it. I’ve got a lead on a job when I’m finished, too.”

“Wow. That’s great. Where?”

He tells me about the water purification plant where he’s always wanted to work. Travis is a closet environmentalist. He’s always been a lover of nature, hence working at a ranch while he earns his degree, and working for something dealing with environmental issues would be right up his alley. “Gosh, I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks. I see business is going well for you.”

“I can’t complain. Although I’ll admit that this week, Macey is my best client.”

He chuckles warmly at that. “Too bad third graders can’t give out referrals.”

I smile at that. Travis always has a way of making me smile, no matter how miserable things are. “Are you working at this plant now, or is this just something coming down the pipeline?”

“No, Laura’s got a contact over there. She put me in touch with him, and one of the senior execs is retiring right about the time that I graduate, so I’ve met with them and they’re going to help me with my thesis. If all goes well, I may have a spot when the senior guy is out the door.”

Watching him talk, I let myself get lost in his eyes. Although there are four of them, they all look beautiful. Travis’s eyes turn bluer when he speaks to me. It’s been that way since the beginning of us. When he stops talking, his eyes search mine and I watch his Adam’s Apple rise and lower. “I miss you, Becky.” He says, and with the softness in his voice, and the alcohol relaxing me, I let what happens next…happen.

Chapter 3

Travis

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