Living Again
Chapter 9
Molly had never been attracted to anyone. Not even Trevor. She had been with him out of necessity, but with Mike; she felt herself feeling things she had never felt before. She just was scared it was because she was thankful to have someone who cared about her kids, didn't beat on her, kept a roof over their heads, food in their stomachs and clothes on their backs. Mike was kind to her and wonderful to the kids.
One of the things that he had done was take down all the pictures of his dead wife in the common spaces. She knew there was one in his bedroom, on his nightstand, but the others had disappeared. There were pictures of his kids too, but not as many. The only reason she knew about the ones in his bedroom was because she cleaned it, but it was very much his space and it was full of his strong personality. The new furniture was black and heavy. There was a plain plaid bedspread and matching curtains that she had helped him find and the picture frames on the nightstand were also black. As happy go lucky as Mike was, occasionally his mood was heavy. Instead of dwelling on it, Molly plumped his pillows and straightened the comforter. She was surprised to find Mike come up behind her.
"Do the photos bother you?" Mike asked her quietly. He was taking some work out clothes out of his dresser and turned towards her.
"No. They looked like they were happy children and your wife was a very pretty woman." Molly said. She really didn't know what else to say.
"I would like to think they were happy and yes, Christine was. I…miss them." Mike remarked.
"I'm sure you do. Were the kids still asleep?" Molly asked.
"Yeah. Both were still out. I thought I might work out while they slept." Mike said.
"Okay. You don't need my permission to do anything. You're still the boss." Molly pointed out.
"Actually, no. For this to seem believable; this has to seem like a partnership. No, I didn't ask Christine for permission to go work out, but she had an opinion in what I did do, and I refuse for this to be anything less than an equal partnership." Mike said.
"Can it ever be? Given our circumstances?" Molly asked. Mike was standing in front of her now, and she was surprised by just how closely. It made her realize how much of a height difference there was between them. She was shocked when he very gently touched her cheek and pulled her in for a kiss. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. Mike was an amazing kisser and even to Molly's surprise; she let the kiss linger and let him explore her mouth, until Ella began crying. Molly pulled away and walked away.
"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have done that." Mike said just as she cleared the door. Molly didn't bother to answer him, because if she had…she would have told him that she hadn't wanted him to stop. She wanted him to do things to her that she had dreaded Trevor doing.
As she nursed Ella, she heard Mike head down the steps to go work out. Then Tucker woke up and Molly occupied herself with tending to both kids and fixing dinner. Mike came back up from the basement, went upstairs to shower and came back in for dinner. Neither of them said anything about the kiss and Molly was worried things had been screwed up now. Just when things were going so well.
All evening, she could tell Mike felt badly and after the kids were asleep for the night, Molly found him outside in the nice yard that Tucker loved to play in. Mike had bought a swing set and several yard toys for him. There was also a pool and Molly knew it was one of Mike's favorite spots. She was a little surprised to see the bottle of beer sitting next to Mike on the lawn table but sat down next to him, wondering what would happen.
"About earlier…I shouldn't have done that. I don't know what came over me. I swore I was going to be a gentleman but…I wasn't. I hope I didn't scare you." Mike said.
"You didn't…Mike; I…have never had a normal relationship. Not like you and your wife had. Trevor and I…I never loved him and I am certain he didn't love me. You also don't love me. Maybe you like me, and maybe you might even want to sleep with me, but for once in my life…I want normal. Happy. I want love. And I don't know how someone like you could ever love someone like me. I'm…stupid compared to you. I saw how your friends looked at me. How sometimes even you look at me. You want a relationship where we are equals, but I never will be. I'll never have a college education or a career. I see those certificates on your office wall, and I don't know what they say but I know they make you important. I know you can afford this house and all these things for the kids and I and I know that I will never be able to contribute. So, for you…it was a kiss, but for me it was a reminder of all the things I can never have. No love, no career, husband, money…that's a hard pill to swallow." Molly finally admitted. Before Mike had a chance to answer; she got up and went back inside, and was in bed before he came upstairs.