Pam poured a glass of tea and handed it to Rena before pouring one for herself, "You got anything stronger?" asked Rena.
Pam looked at her skeptically and said, "Yes, but we've both already had two beers. I'm honestly surprised you got here in one piece."
Rena couldn't help but crack a smile as she took a sip and immediately grimaced, "Mm. I've never liked tea though."
"So…." said Pam trailing off pondering what to say, "When did, you know, happen?"
Rena sniffled and attempted to hold back the fresh tears when Pam brought up the affair, "He said the night Scott Becker died."
"Oh," said Pam, remembering that night fondly herself. Andy had found her first and she couldn't believe it had been true. She had gone to deal with her grief herself while Andy had left to go get some coffee and some supposed rest. What if Pam had stayed with Andy? Would it have prevented the affair? Pam started to cry herself and said, "I'm so sorry Rena. I can't help but feel it's my fault."
"Pam," said Rena incredulously, "It's not your fault that Andy can't keep it in his pants."
"No, I know but…I was so upset about Scott's death that I went off to grieve on my own. If I had stayed with him, then Lisa might not have gotten to him," said Pam.
Rena took another sip of tea and grimaced again, "I don't know why I'm drinking this," she said setting it down on the coffee table, "Pam, don't blame yourself. I mean, Andy and I were having problems, but I never thought…" Rena finally let the tears that had been building up spill loose, "I never thought he would ever have sex with anyone besides me. We've known each other since we were five. We've been closer friends since middle school. We've been a couple since high school. We've been the only people with whom we've been intimate. I'll still never forget our senior prom night…that was our first time."
Pam's heart broke for Rena as she vented. Pam had never really been in a serious relationship and certainly hadn't been with only one person her entire life. She couldn't imagine the emotional pain Rena was experiencing. Pam took Rena's hand and Rena squeezed it before Pam said, "I'm…I'm so sorry Rena."
Rena continued to cry before she said, "I'm afraid it's over because Andy wants things I can't give him."
"Rena, you can give him love, if it's in your heart, you can give him forgiveness…"
"But I can't give him children," shouted Rena a little more snippily than she intended.
Pam took a deep breath. She had only known Andy and Rena since she started working at Three Rivers about three years ago. The couple had already been married for eleven years when they all met. She had never heard Rena or Andy talk about kids, despite Andy being great children. When Pam didn't speak any further, that was Rena's cue to move on with her venting and confession, "Andy and I married right out of high school. We were eighteen, we were babies. We didn't plan on having kids until we were through with college. But one night sophomore year, I discovered I was pregnant. Andy and I were over the moon. We were going to be Mommy and Daddy. But one day, that was all taken away from us. We lost the baby at ten weeks," Rena started to cry again only this time, Pam knew it was for a different reason, "And once we lost the baby, I was too afraid to try ever again."
"And he wanted to try again?" asked Pam.
Rena nodded, "And of course, in addition to being terrified at the possibility of another miscarriage, Andy and I both work long hours and shift work. Our kids would be raised by daycare centers, not their parents. I can't…I can't do that to any child."
Pam smiled and grabbed Rena's hand, "Well, if and when you can, I'm not siding with anybody, but I would start by telling Andy how you feel."
Rena sighed, her rational side in complete agreement with pam, "I know, I just I don't know if I'm still comfortable with forgiving him for sharing…himself with someone else."
"Well, then take the time you need to figure things out, even if it means using me as a venting board," smiled Pam.
Rena chuckled lightly. At least she had a friend to help her through all of this.
Miranda dialed her sister's number and heard the phone ring for a few moments before she heard her sister answer the phone, "Hello?"
"Uh Tabby hi," said Miranda.
"Oh hi Manda," said Tabitha excitedly.
Miranda winced at the sound of her childhood nickname, but only her parents and siblings were allowed to call her Manda, "Hey, so how's the wedding planning going? Have you set a date yet?"
"Yeah, March 19," answered Tabitha.
March 19 was a Saturday and David almost never worked Saturday's except maybe when an organ came in for a patient, "Good listen, the last time we talked, you mentioned that I could bring a guest?"
"Yeah, who are you bringing?" asked Tabitha.
"David Lee, I think you've met him a couple of times," mentioned Miranda.
"Is he the resident?" asked Tabitha, "The one that has a huge crush on you?"
"WHAT? NO!" shouted Miranda defensively, "I mean he is a resident, but no, he does NOT have a crush on me!"
"Come on sis," said Tabitha, "I've heard from Andy that he's had his eye on you ever since he set foot in the place."
"Well you know Andy likes to exaggerate," said Miranda. She could feel herself blushing but of course Tabitha couldn't see her, "We're just friends. Honestly."
"Sure sis," said Tabitha, "But I'll put you down for two. I'll send you the official invitations and information soon."
"Okay, thanks Tabby. Tell Mike I said hello."
"Will do Manda," said Tabitha and hung up the phone.
Miranda grabbed her cell phone and texted David, "Wedding is March 19."
A few moments later she heard her phone buzz. She opened the text which read, "Okay cool. Thanks."
Miranda hesitated for a few moments before she texted back, "You alone right now?"
"Yes, why?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to come over tonight."
"As long as I'm home in time to go to work tomorrow, I can come."
"Okay, see you soon."
It didn't take long for David to drive over to Miranda's house. He knocked on the door and she answered a few moments later. She handed him a $20 bill and David looked at her confusingly, "Miranda? What the…?"
"Last night," she reminded him.
"Oh," he chuckled and pocketed the money. He entered her house; it wasn't the first time he'd been to her house, but most of the time Andy, Rena, and Pam had been with them, "So March 19 huh?"
"Yep," said Miranda, "I'll probably go a little early. For one thing I could go to the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Philly if I leave early enough."
David smirked, "Didn't know you were all Irish."
"Dad's side was Irish. Mom's side was German," answered Miranda.
David froze a little when she mentioned her father. She didn't really talk about him other than with people she really trusted, "That would be fun to go before the wedding."
"Really?" asked Miranda raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I'm actually ¼ Irish on my Mom's side," admitted David.
"Hmm, I didn't know that," Miranda said. it was safe to say David and she didn't know a lot about each other despite working together for two years now.
"Or since Philly is your home turf, maybe we could take the whole week off and you could show me around town," said David.
Miranda eyed him in surprise, "Like a vacation? Together?" she asked.
"We do get vacation time Miranda. And friends can go on road trips together can't they?" asked David awkwardly.
Miranda could feel the butterflies in her stomach forming again, "We'll see," said answered but she had to turn around so David wouldn't notice the smile on her face, "Did you want anything? Coffee, water, wine?"
"Beer if you have any," answered David.
Miranda pulled a couple Yuenlings out of the refrigerator and popped the tops off of them, handing one to David. The pair spent the rest of the night talking, about sports, about work, about anything. Somehow it felt so real, so natural, and Miranda had rarely felt this comfortable around someone.
"Well I should be getting home," said David standing to leave, "Thanks for inviting me over tonight."
"Any time," said Miranda.
"I mean it, consider providing me with the Philly tour," smirked David.
"Okay," laughed Miranda following him outside, "I'll see you at work tomorrow."
David touched Miranda's shoulder before going to his Mercedes. Miranda watched him drive down the street. Tabitha was right; David had it bad for her. And for some reason, she had it bad for him too.