I know it's been ages since I've last posted. But someone was kind enough to send me an email letting me know they were still interested in my little tale, so I've decided to continue on and finish it. So I should be posting weekly until the story is completed.
Because it's been a while since I've posted, I may be a little rusty. So please forgive the errors. It'll improve with the next chapter.
"Lee, Lee," Amanda called out as she neared the men's cabin. But she couldn't find anyone around. She looked quickly down at her watch and realized that far more time had passed than she had realized. It was now afternoon and everyone was probably at the couples meeting. She quickly walked over to where her group was seated and sat down beside her husband.
When Amanda sat down, Lee looked up at surprise at her. "Where have you been?" Lee asked. "The meeting started 10 minutes ago."
Amanda looked over at Lee and said, "I'm sorry but I had to go for a walk and spend time with one of my friends." She paused for a moment and continued on rather loudly, "I am allowed to spend time with my friends right. You can't have every moment of every day."
"Amanda," Lee said slightly embarrassed, as he tried to calm down his excited wife. "Of course you're allowed to have your own friends. And no we don't have to spend every moment of the day together."
"Good, cause I needed some time to be by myself. I needed some time to think about us and this marriage." Amanda said even more loudly and now beginning to cry.
"Is there something that I can help you both with?" asked Timothy as he walked over to their group. He had heard Amanda's voice beginning to get louder and louder, starting to carry over the voices of others.
"No," Amanda said quickly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause a problem. But I'm just tired of everything."
"Tired of what?" asked Timothy as he knelt down beside Amanda and gently tried to open up.
"Tired of this secret, tired of hiding, tired of this marriage," Amanda said softly.
"Amanda," Lee pleaded completely bewildered about what was happening to his wife. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm tired that I'm a secret for you." Amanda wailed before she broke out into tears.
"Secret?" Lee asked and looked from Amanda to Billy and then back to Amanda again.
"Our marriage is a secret, you can't even introduce me as your wife to your family and friends. You only want me around when you don't have to work. You're a stranger to my family. You won't even give up your bachelor pad and move into our home properly," Amanda said and took a huge gulp of air.
"Now wait just one minute," Lee began, "Our marriage is not a secret, and you and the kids are my family. And you know why I won't give up my apartment. It's closer to work, and besides you haven't even told your kids or your mom about us. They still think we're dating. I can't move into your house until you tell them we're married!"
"You wanted us to get married in secret!" Amanda continued to sob and leaned over to Timothy who put a comforting arm around Amanda's shoulders.
"Get it all out now." Timothy said softly. "tell Lee how your really feeling."
"He's been with all these women, these fancy and sophisticated women…" Amanda said with a shaky voice as she wiped her eyes with a tissue that Jeanine had given to her. "It's obvious that he would rather be with one of those kinds of women, and not a simple homemaker."
"Amanda," Lee began, "what are you talking about? You know those woman don't mean anything to me."
"I want divorce!" Amanda announced suddenly as she looked up at Lee.
"What???" Lee said in shock.
"You heard me. I want a divorce. I don't want to be married to a man that wants me to stay hidden in the dark from everyone around him." Amanda insisted, silently pleading that Lee would understand what she was trying to do.
"Amanda we just got married," Lee said quickly. "Can we discuss this further at another time?"
"No, I want a divorce and I want it now." Amanda insisted.
"Now, now everyone, let's just take a minute to breath and take a step back." Timothy said trying to calm everyone. "Lee, Amanda how about you both just come with me and we'll see if we can work this out." He helped Amanda up and gestured to Lee to follow them. He led them to a quiet corner and sat them both down.
"It's clear to me that your marriage is clearly in need of some further help. I can help you with that. There is another part of this retreat that we have set up for our more challenging of couples."Timothy said. "What I want each of you to do is go back to your cabin's and gather your things and then meet me back here in 10 minutes and I'll lead you over to the new campsite. Ok?"
Amanda and Lee both nodded as Lee tried to reach out and touch his wife, but she just pulled away. Silently they got up and walked towards their cabins to pack.