"You are suffocating me!" he screamed, slamming the door. I pulled the door open and followed him.
"Pierre! Get back over here! You make me sick! You make me sick!" I shouted.
He turned on his heel.
"Abby, just get away from me, okay? I can't stand you!"
"I cant stand you either!" I screamed back. "And don't think you're visiting the kids either! It's over, over." I slid down the wall, clutching my heart, realizing that my marriage of six years was finally over. I'd moved to France for him, for Pierre. I couldn't believe it. I went to the bathroom and rinsed my face, watching the red blotches drain from my face. I tied my long curls back in a ponytail before heading in the kids' room. I have three kids, we live in a huge house, but I believe that sharing a room builds character.
The kids were laying in bed, their bedtime is 8:30 and I'm pretty strict about it. They weren't asleep yet, but they were pretty close. I perched on the edge of Simone's bed and ruffled her dark curls. "Salut Simi," I whispered softly. Four year old Simone smiled sweetly at me. Bonjour Maman, je te veux bien." she whispered. Two year old Christopher tackled me. "Mommy!" he shouted. I smiled at him.
"Salut Chris." I settled him on my lap, also making a place on my lap for six year old Thierry. "Guys," I said softly. "Votre père va nous laisser. Mommy et papa avaient combattu. Nous aimons tout le vous beaucoup mais nous ne nous aimons plus. Ok?" Your father is going to leave us. Mommy and Daddy have been fighting. We love all of you very much but we do not love each other anymore. Okay? Simone and Thierry began to cry and Christopher just stared at me sadly. The phone rang. I picked it up. "Kids," I said softly. "We are going on vacation."
It was another boring Sunday. I was stuck in my bedroom eating a tub of Ben and Jerry's and watching I Love Lucy reruns. I sighed. Every weekend was the same. I took the six o'clock train from DC to my home in the suburbs of Virginia, in the exclusive Bridgeton Estates area.
I would get dressed, then, I would entertain Julia Freudsignen, a German diplomat's daughter. She attended school in DC and to keep relations between the US and Germany good, I would take her to nightclubs or go shopping.
Julia was a lovely girl, long blonde hair and blue eyes; quite free spirited and loving, she reminded me immensely of my friend Dawn. However, Julia was used to a life of privilege and could occasionally be a spoiled brat. After Julia and I did whatever we were going to do, I headed home and watched Sleepless in Seattle.
The next morning, I'd get cheesy red roses from my boyfriend, but not really, Brigham Turner. The note always read the same thing, "Shannon, my love. Let's dine at Le Petit Chateau." Brigham is a law school student, his dad's the ex-President and he's very sweet, but frankly I don't plan to marry him. Then, after lunch with Brigham, I'll come home and watch Sleepless in Seattle again. My life is so boring. Nothing out of the ordinary…
I was finishing the last of a pint of Phish Food when the mailman came. Bill, bill, bill, junk, pizza coupon, and a silver envelope. I tore into the envelope. It was an invitation to a BSC Reunion. I fired off a quick note. I would definitely be there.
