"Honey, I know you want to go out on Friday, but I simply can't," I told Ethan as I walked around the kitchen.
"Why not, Cathy? It seems like ages since we've gone out," Ethan said. "Listen, I get back from Denver Friday afternoon around three. I shower and you make yourself even more beautiful than you already are and we go out for a romantic evening."
"Aren't you forgetting something?" I asked.
"What?" Ethan asked obliviously.
"Honey, there's no way we can get a responsible baby-sitter in time for tomorrow night," I told my husband, "Besides, last time we went out for a 'romantic evening' I got pregnant with Morgan."
"My parents can look after him," Ethan said.
"We asked them to look after him on Sunday when you were out of town and I needed to go to my book group," I reminded Ethan, "And while I know you're parents would love to take care of their grandson, it's such a schlep from Rye to Pelham."
"Please, Cathy, I just want a nice dinner out with my stunning wife," Ethan said.
"Ethan, I would love to go out, but we need someone to take care of Morgan," I said, "so unless you can find us our own personal Mary Poppins in time and get the reservations, we're not going out."
"I'll work something out, don't worry," Ethan said. "I love you."
"I love you, too, bye," I said and hung up the phone. I checked the time. 4:30 P.M. I had another half-hour about until Morgan's nap would be over. Dinner would just be salad for me (already made) and his dinner was easy enough, seeing as he was only five months old. I went to the couch and picked up my book that I was supposed to be reading for book group. I had never even heard of it before Kim mentioned it at our last meeting. It was called The Cycle Keeps Going. Knowing Kim, it was probably trash, but she hadn't picked a book in a while, so we decided to try it.
I opened the book and started reading. There was no alternative. This was our only option left. For a pacifist like me, I never understood how people could go to war, claiming it was for peace. In our situation, that was simply what we were doing. Against a tyrant like Hendbound, what can you do?
I immediately stopped reading. How could I have missed the author's name? I checked the cover, and without a doubt, there were Jamie's initials. This had to be his book. It had been over two years since I had even read any of his writing, but I recognized the villain's name- Hendbound. How could I agree to read my ex-husband's book for book group? I sat back and thought of the last time I saw Jamie. I was unpacking my apartment, excited that Ethan had just proposed. I was putting a box in a taxi and gave Ethan a kiss. I turned around and saw Jamie walking down the street. It was obvious he had seen me kiss Ethan. I turned around and packed another box into the taxi. When I looked back, he was gone. He wasn't across the street or further down the street or anywhere else to be seen. I decided to forget about it and keep packing. I went down for another box when Ethan pulled me into a hug and gave me a long kiss. I looked up to him a smiled. Although I never saw Jamie again, I had an odd feeling that Jamie saw it.
I put my book down and picked up the phone. I started to dial Annabelle, the leader of the book group, to tell her we couldn't read the book. Then I felt like an idiot. So what if Jamie wrote it? It doesn't mean I can't read it. I mean, Jamie is an author, and I am a reader. That would be the only existing relationship. Then why did I feel like I was committing adultery as I read further into his book? At 4:50, the phone rang. "Hello?" I said into the receiver.
"Cathy?" a frantic voice asked me.
"Yes, who is calling?" I asked cautiously.
"Look, I'm probably the last person you want to hear from right now, but you said if I ever needed someone to call, I could call you and…" Jamie said quickly.
"Jamie?" I asked.
"Yeah…hi," Jamie said.
"Why are you talking to quickly?" I asked. "Are you driving?"
"Yes, but that is besides the point. Listen, I need to talk to you," Jamie said.
"Me specifically?" I asked.
"Well, remember that day in Central Park when you said if I ever need to talk to someone, I could call you?" Jamie asked. I did, but for a different reason. That night Ethan and I went out for dinner and started our relationship together.
"Yes, I do," I said. "And you need to talk?"
"Desperately, and you are the only one who will understand," Jamie said.
"I am? I haven't seen or talked to you in two years, and I'm the only one who will understand?" I asked incredulously.
"Yes," Jamie said.
"Jamie, where are you?" I asked.
"I'm on the Sprain," Jamie said.
"Are you supposed to be on the Sprain?" I asked Jamie like I was asking a child.
"No, I'm supposed to be at St. John's Church of Manhattan," Jamie said.
"On a Thursday? Why?" I asked.
"For a wedding," Jamie said.
"Oh really, whose?" I asked curiously.
"Mine." Jamie said.
(Thanks for the reviews! Don't you just hate me now? Don't worry, I'll update soon. Why is Jamie running from his wedding? Who is he supposed to be marrying? Please Review!)