Chapter 3

Sunday came all too quickly, which Jamie was NOT happy about. He knew he'd have to come up with a more convincing lie than a change of shifts, but he didn't have the energy to. He hadn't slept more than 4 hours since Thursday. He couldn't get his brain to shut off.

He forced himself to get dressed and drive to Bay Ridge. He didn't make it to Mass, but he did make it in time for dinner.

"So, because nobody else is gonna ask, I'm gonna. Where's Eddie?" Danny asked, as a lull in conversation happened.

Jamie finished his bite of potatoes before answering.

"Her Sergeant changed her shifts. She's working Sundays now."

"Does her Sergeant not like her?" Sean asked.

"Well, no, but I don't really think that has anything to do with this. Two of the other officers just had a baby, so they took some leave. McNichols just put Eddie in a shift where she was needed." Jamie explained, hoping this further explanation would make the lie more believable.

"Are you sure that's everything? No trouble in paradise?" Danny pushes. He was seeing through his baby brother's lie.

"Yes Danny, I'm sure. Eddie and I are fine."

"Ok. Well, do you have any idea when she'll be put back on her normal shifts?" Frank asked.

"She'll be on this shift for at least a month, probably more. It depends on what shifts the new parents take once they come back from leave."

"Give her our best. And take home leftovers for her." Henry said.

"Will do." Jamie replied, effectively ending the conversation.

Later that night, after dinner, Jamie and Danny we're sitting in the living room, watching whatever game was on.

"Jamie, I know you were lying. Back at dinner. Eddie's not really 'on a shift' is she?"

Jamie sighed.

"No, she's not. Or maybe she is. To be honest, I have no idea. You were right, but's a little bigger than trouble in paradise." Jamie admitted.

"Divorce?"

"It's looking that way right now. I haven't seen her since Thursday. I've been staying at a hotel."

"What happened, Jamie? Please tell me cheating wasn't involved."

"I don't think so, but if it was, it's wasn't my doing."

"Do you think she cheated?"

"I don't think so. It's not something she would do, or at least it's something I hope she'd never do."

"So if it wasn't cheating, then what was it?"

"We rushed into our marriage. We didn't take our time. You'd think 4+ years of riding together would be enough time to get to know each other, but I guess it wasn't. We spent less than two days dating before I proposed. I think we're just too different. Opposites can only attract so much. We pretty much fight nonstop. Everyday, multiple times a day. Hell, we fight more than we actually see each other. We fight over text. I guess things finally caught up to us."

"Damn Jamie. That really sucks." Danny didn't really know what to say. Of course he and Linda had their rough patches, but divorce was never really an option.

"Yeah, it does. I really thought she was the one. I still love her."

"Yeah, but are you in love with her?"

"I don't know right now." Jamie said, truthfully.

He really didn't know. He knew he still loved her. She was his best friend, the best he'd ever had. She was one of the best people he'd ever known. But was he still in love with her? Had he ever truly been in love with her?

"Well, I think you should figure out the answer to that very important question. I think that answer will be the difference between getting divorce and staying together."

"I don't want to get divorced. I'd hate to think that a 6 year relationship was ruined in an ugly, brutal battle."

"Does she want a divorce?"

"It sure seemed that way on Thursday. She said she just wanted a break but I think she'll enjoy the break a little too much. I think she'll realize she doesn't love me and she wants a divorce."

"Do you really think that what'll happen, or is that just what your afraid will happen?"

"I don't know. She seemed pretty done with our marriage. She seemed sick of me."

"Maybe she was just mad at that moment. I think you should give her the break she wants. At least few weeks. Then you should talk and see where you both stand."

"Yeah, that's what I plan on doing."

"I hope everything works out well."

"Yeah, me too."