"So are you going to tell me what's up with you?" Katie asked Louise late that day, they had just been to lunch and Louise couldn't keep the smile off her face.
"What do you mean? Nothing's up with me," replied Louise.
"Yeah right, you've been grinning like an idiot all morning"
"I'm just happy to be home"
"Yeah right, you know I'll find out," said Katie, "Where are we going?"
"I have to pick up a package"
"Oooohhhhh"
"Don't Ooohh me, I do my agent is sending some sample magazine covers I just have to pick one that's all"
"Okay, I was just thinking it's a little convenient, I believe my big brother spent the night at Bobby Ray's and oh wait a minute didn't you? And then this morning, I was sure I heard Cindi screeching because he was late picking up Jack and ooooooo you were late to meet me. And now we just happen to be going to where he works"
"You have a warped mind, you know that?"
"Are you denying it?"
"Denying what? Yes I stayed at Bobby Ray's, yes I was late to meet you and yes I'm going to pick up a package"
"You know what I'm talking about"
"I really don't, and whatever it is I just want to change the subject"
"Adultery is a sin, you know. In the olden days the man would just go back to his wife and carry on as if nothing happened, but the scarlet woman would be burned alive for her heinous crime"
"That's really great. Where did you learn that, you failed history in high school?"
"I just know these things"
"I think you've hit your head"
"I haven't I'm perfectly fine. But what about you have you committed any heinous crimes lately?"
"Not that I know of," said Louise stopping the car, "anyway we're here now, so are you coming in to help me pick"
"Fine," said Katie disappointed she didn't get anything out of Louise.
They went inside, there was a spotty teenager behind the counter.
"Hi, I'm here to pick up a package," said Louise.
"Uh… um… I uh mean name?"
"Louise Perry"
"oooh… you're… um… you're… on the…um," said the teenager blushing furiously.
"This is ridiculous," muttered Katie, "DARREN GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE, I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE"
Suddenly the door behind the counter swung open.
"Do I hear the delightful vocal talents of my baby sister?" said Darren emerging from his office.
"Damn right, we are trying to pick up a package but your employee is just slobbering over Lou," said Katie.
"Eugene," snapped Darren, "Go and get the package now"
Eugene did as he was told and scurried off.
"I'm just going to say hi to the guys," said Katie then she went behind the counter and through another door.
"Well…" said Louise
"Well what?" said Darren smiling slyly as he came out from behind the counter.
"Nothing, it's just I think you made that kid wet his pants"
"He deserved it. Didn't you see the way he was looking at you?"
"I did but I'm used to it, I only hope he doesn't catch a glimpse of what's in that package, it might send him over the edge"
"Why what's in it?" asked Darren raising an eyebrow at her.
"Just a few shoots for playboy"
"WHAT? I HOPE YOU'RE KIDDING, YOU'RE DAD'LL KILL YOU"
"Shhh keep your voice down, of course I'm kidding. It's just some magazine covers, although there should be a few bikini shots"
"Oh really, well you are aware of our new company policy," said Darren wrapping his arms around Louise's waist.
"What policy is that?"
"Well we need to monitor all material passing through, so we will need copies of all photographs"
"Oh really then, you'll probably want the beach shots we took in Russia with the 100 pound 90 year old woman in the background"
"Ugh no you keep them, but I will have to see the rest"
"I thought so," said Louise then she gave Darren a quick kiss on the lips.
"I knew it, you really thought you could lie to me," said Katie suddenly appearing again.
"You gave me the fright of my life. What the hell are you doing, sneaking up on me like that?" gasped Louise.
"Don't try to change the subject I saw you," said Katie.
"Saw me doing what?" asked Louise innocently.
"You know what I saw, and I expect you to tell me everything," said Katie.
"Uh sis do you mind?" said Darren
"Fine, fine, I'll go and distract Eugene. But be a little more discreet and take it in the office will you?" said Katie before disappearing.
"Come on," said Darren leading Louise into his office.
"Did you talk to Cindi?" asked Louise
"Uh no she's at the spa today," said Darren
"There is a spa here. When did that happen? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Darren just laughed, they were committing adultery and were most probably getting themselves into a biggest mess of their lives and she was more concerned that nobody had told her that there was a spa.
"It's not actually a spa, Cindi just calls it that. It's the nail bar with the massage thingy," he said when he had stopped laughing.
"Oh," she said disappointed, "Someone should open a spa down here"
"Okay, that isn't really our main problem right now"
"Yeah I know," said Louise getting serious
"I told Cindi we have to talk, she said I was to meet her at the bar after Jack is in bed so I'll take her outside and calmly and gently tell her that it's over,"
"What are you going to tell her when she asks why?"
"I dunno that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I don't think it's a good idea to tell her about us"
"I agree, you won't get anywhere near Jack if you do"
"So what do you think I should do?"
"I dunno it's your marriage. But we should wait until you are divorced and everything with Jack is sorted"
"I am so glad you think that, I was worried you'd…"
"I'd what take a hissy fit and demand you tell everyone"
"Yeah"
"Well it's a good thing I'm sensible then. So what will you tell her because she'll want answers?"
"Uh I'll just tell her that the fight last night was the last straw, cause we have been fighting a lot lately and that I don't think our marriage is working anymore"
"What will you say when she asks if I'm involved because she will?"
"I'll tell her you had nothing to do with it, and that it's been on the cards for a while"
"So you'll lie"
"Yeah. I don't feel good about it, but I don't see any other way, if I tell the truth there is no way I will even get access to Jack"
"I know. Have you thought about going for residency of him?"
"Residency, having him live with me?"
"Yeah"
"No the kids always go with the mother"
"In most cases yes, but I get the impression from you and Katie that you are the primary care giver, even though Cindi is unemployed. You do look after him most of the time"
"Uh yeah I guess"
"Then you have grounds to get residency"
"How do you know so much about this?"
"I know a lot of lawyers, and I spoke to one this morning and he said if you have decent representation you should have every chance of getting residency"
"I never thought about it. Would you be okay if Jack was living with us?"
"Of course I would, he's your son. I would never try to come between you"
"Yeah, I could do it couldn't I?"
"Yes. Here's the number of the law firm my friend works for they have an office over in Tuscaloosa, they specialize in this sort of stuff," said Louise handing him a card.
"Thanks"
"I hate to break this up but we really should go," said Katie peeking her head in.
"Yeah she's right I do have to go," said Louise.
"Okay, maybe I'll see you both later in the bar," said Darren
"Yeah maybe," said Louise who was definitely starting to feel guilty about breaking up a marriage.
"I love you, and please try and not feel too guilty okay? This was going to happen sooner or later, with or without you," Darren said in Louise's ear as he hugged her.
"Love you too," she whispered then she pulled away, "You know me too well, and it's becoming creepy"
"You better get used to it,"