The next morning Peter was awoken by the smell of coffee and bacon frying. He had slept well considering the events of the night before. He had crashed as soon as his head had hit the pillow and for that he was grateful. He felt rested but miserable. The façade of domesticity made him feel lower. He knew his wife was making him a farewell breakfast. How he wished he could turn the clock back when a morning like this would have been normal and when he would have been waking up in his own bed that he would have shared with his wife. He quickly got ready and made his way to the kitchen where Alicia was sipping on some coffee and going over the paper.
She looked up as he entered. Hey she said. He smiled and poured himself some coffee. "You didn't have to go through this trouble…" "it wasn't any" Alicia interrupted. Silence prevailed for a while until Alicia got up and said "Peter theres a lot that we need to work out. You can always come back for your things during the week and in any case when you come to see the children you can pick the things you need." Peter nodded feeling more despondent by the minute. What if I want to come to see you too Alicia? She only nodded. God this was already awkward.
Peter put down his mug of coffee, his appetite now completely lost. I think I should come over this evening and we should talk to the kids together. Mums bringing them over after school so we can talk to them then. Alicia nodded as she put on her coat. "Ill see you later then" she smiled. He gave her sad smile and the next thing he heard was the front door shutting.
Peter spent the rest of the day packing his things which didn't take very long. His thoughts were never far from his family or oddly enough the church. He needed to get some perspective and decided to go and see Pastor Isaiah. The talk with the Pastor helped Peter more than he actually allowed himself to admit but one thing he was sure about was this separation of sorts was the best thing for the both of them and he needed to support Alicia on whatever she felt she had to do no matter how much he hated it. He had been a selfish son of a bitch for most part of his marriage and he knew if he had any hope of rekindling their marriage he needed to step back.
Later that evening with all four of them sitting in the living room he could see his daughters heart break again in little pieces. He wasn't sure if she would forgive him again for what she obviously saw as another betrayal to their mother. She had after he had come back from prison but he wasn't sure their relationship would ever be the same again. Zach remained impassive as if he expected this – Peter worried if they were going to see the rebellious teenager in him come out in full force now. Alicia and him explained to them that he was going to carry on with the campaign but they needed time apart to figure things out and that their was no one else involved. At this the evening took a nose dive. Grace got up and pointedly told her mother she thought she was no better than her father whilst Alicia stared at her daughter too numb shocked to respond and Zach simply shrugged and made his way to his room banging the door after him and loudly playing his "Moslem music".
Peter looked at Alicia with a small grin he couldn't help.."Im glad you're finding this funny Peter" Alicia shot at Peter. "Ah c'mon Alicia theyre upset. They just need some time." They sat in silence for a couple of minutes before Alicia got up and headed to her room – a clear indication that it was time Peter left.