Chapter 61

Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment. How could I forget about our dinner plans? Jack didn't text me to remind me. When she opened her eyes, she looked into Abagail's eyes. She instantly felt like the four year old who decided to paint stick figures on the living room wall. Her mother was furious with her and it was one of the few times she received a spanking.

Abagail was still standing steps inside of the front door with one hand on her hip, red faced, and pointing toward the front door with her other hand.

Elizabeth slowly made her way toward the front door, and she heard Abagail let out a quick breath. "I said now young lady!"

Beth glanced toward Julie but was too afraid to say anything.

Julie leaned toward Beth and whispered, "I wouldn't trade places with Elizabeth for all the money in the world. Did you hear her tone?"

Beth nodded in agreement with Julie but didn't want to say anything.

…

Jack walked toward the dart board and pulled out the three darts. He sighed. Frank took him to the bar and rec room. It wasn't a hard core bar, but they did serve drinks. Since him and Frank didn't drink, they were having tea.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Frank. I think I'm just a little sad that the honeymoon season didn't last longer."

"Why would you say that?"

"Well, over the last few days Elizabeth seems different."

"How so?"

"Well…" An embarrassed Jack took a deep breath. "Our intimacy has been the same, but she hasn't been as receptive to the other things."

"Other things? What other things?"

"Well, like today. She didn't acknowledge the cookies and milk, or the flowers and she didn't bring them home."

Frank nodded.

"I know she enjoys when I do those types of things…or she did. I struggle with coming up with romantic things to show her my love. It takes effort and a lot of forethought. This isn't easy for me. I guess I just wanted to know she appreciates the things I do."

"Do you always expect something in return?"

"Not that, Frank. Just acknowledgement. Is it wrong for me to want her to enjoy those things?"

"Jack, we all want that. It's easy to take those things for granted."

"I know. I lay awake at night trying to think of things to show her how much I love her. I don't expect sex from those things. I just want her to enjoy them. It feels like she doesn't enjoy the little things anymore. She always said those little things are important to her, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore." Jack let out a long breath.

"Is that what this weekend is about?"

"No. I wanted to congratulate her for the school year she had. I know how hard she works and how much she loves those kids. She deserves this. She also loves spending time with her friends, and I thought she would love the weekend with her friends. But Frank, I can't always do the big things." Jack sighed and took a long drink of his tea. Frank patted Jack on the back as he took his turn to throw darts.

"I wouldn't give up Jack."

"Frank, I am not giving up. I am not leaving her. She is the best part of me. It's just sad."

"Sad?"

"Our marriage has been perfect. Frank, I wouldn't change anything about it. Now, it just seems we have settled into something less. Why would we want to settle for something less if we have experienced something better?" Jack took a deep breath. "If the little things that she always loved is no longer important to her, what am I supposed to do. I already feel like I'm not keeping up, now I know I'm not."

"Jack, this is a short season in your lifetime relationship with Elizabeth. She just got busy and wasn't paying attention. You know this isn't like her."

"I'm almost afraid for her now."

Frank gave him a confused look.

Jack grinned. "I wouldn't want to be standing in front of Abagail at the moment." Jack laughed. This also caused Frank to laugh.

…

Elizabeth turned to face Abagail on the front porch. While she faced Abagail, she refused to look at her in her eyes.

Abagail was trying her best to control her anger. While being married to Frank, she has witnessed many marital counseling sessions where one person took the other for granted. She only wanted the best for Elizabeth, and she felt that Elizabeth was beginning to take Jack for granted.

Elizabeth felt Abagail's eyes bore into her. She opened her mouth a couple of times trying to say something, but nothing would come out. The silence was weighing on Elizabeth. She was expecting Abagail to unload on her, but the silence was worse than screaming.

She finally looked up to Abagail's face and was perplexed that Abagail had her eyes closed.

"I messed up, didn't I?"

"You think?" Abagail stated in a rushed, frustrated, older sister tone.

Elizabeth lowered her eyes. That statement hurt.

In a calming tone, Abagail began. "Elizabeth, that man goes above and beyond in showing you how much he loves you. You have always said that he is out doing you in that part of your life. And I must agree with you."

Abagail's words stung.

"He constantly shows you he loves you. Yet, you brush off dinner with him, with us tonight."

"I'm sorry. I forgot. I was…"

"So you didn't brush him off…you forgot?"

Elizabeth nodded.

"How could you forget?" Elizabeth didn't say anything. "You didn't even thank him for your flowers, did you? You didn't thank him for the milk and cookies for your class, did you?"

"I did." She exclaimed. Elizabeth pulled out her phone to show her, then she noticed the missed texts and calls from Jack.

"Did you ignore his messages or not hear them?"

"I heard them…I was just…"

"Just what? Busy talking about your house?"

She nodded. After searching, she realized she did not thank him for the flowers or for the treats for her kids. She glossed over the conversation and didn't mention them at all.

"You didn't, did you? And you ignored his messages." Abagail sighed trying to control her emotions. "Elizabeth, even when he is swamped at work and you text him, he always sends you an emoji. Granted, it isn't an answer, but it is what he can do at that moment. You've always been grateful for that. He doesn't ignore you like you did him."

Tears began to flow from Elizabeth's eyes.

"He did something loving for you, and you ignored him. He wanted to congratulate you on your school year, and you didn't think it was worth thanking him. Do you know even Ms. Florence texted him to thank him, yet his wife didn't? You didn't give him the courtesy of an emoji because you were too busy doing what?"

Elizabeth didn't answer.

"What were you so busy doing that it was ok to brush off your husband?"

Elizabeth didn't want to answer the question. She took a deep breath and wiped away a tear that escaped. Then it hit her…she forgot the flowers at school.

Abagail noticed the recollection in Elizabeth's face. "Jack said he didn't see the flowers on the table at home. You forgot them at the school, didn't you? Elizabeth, how could you be so cold toward your husband?"

Elizabeth was hurt by her statement. "I'm not cold hearted, Abagail!"

"Elizabeth, you didn't thank your husband for the flowers. You forgot your flowers at the school, you brushed off his phone calls and his texts, and forgot dinner plans with him. You didn't thank him for the treats for your students. What would you call that? What would you think if he did that to you?"

Elizabeth lost all of her resolve. Tears flowed freely. She quietly stated between sobs, "He wouldn't do that."

"Yes, and you had no problem doing that to him." Abagail's frustration was building again. "Not to mention this weekend…" Abagail stopped herself. She wasn't supposed to say anything, but in her frustration with her little sister, she didn't realize what she said until it was too late.

After a few moments of silence, Elizabeth looked up and asked, "What about this weekend?"

…

Jack and Frank played a few more rounds of darts. It was good for Jack to vent to Frank. He was hurt about the turn of events but was encouraged by Frank's words. Jack soundly beat him at darts, so Frank suggested pool.

"I've never really played pool."

"Great. Let's play." Frank was happy to redeem himself at the pool table.

"Jack, it's going to be ok. Every couple must adjust to the new normal in their lives.

…

"Elizabeth why is your home more important than your husband?"

"It isn't."

"By your actions tonight, yes it is! Why did you forget the flowers? You were rushing to your apartment so you could come here. That's why you forgot your flowers. Why did you ignore your husband's calls and texts? You were too busy talking with your friends and didn't want to be bothered by your husband."

"Abagail, that's not fair."

"Am I wrong?"

Elizabeth's silence was her answer.

"You forgot your dinner plans with your husband because you were here talking about what you are going to do with your house. You actually ordered pizza. You completely forgot. Your husband was nervous something had happened. He called Bill to see is there was an accident."

The unnecessary worry she forced on her husband broke her heart and the tears continued.

"Now, he is questioning why you have changed."

"I've not changed."

"Is today the first day you took your husband for granted?"

"Yes, it is!" Elizabeth exclaimed in a raised voice.

"Are you sure? I saw it in the café yesterday. You didn't thank him for the little card he sketched for you. Eventually, he will stop doing the little things because he will feel you don't care about them. He is already thinking that."

That statement brought back the conversation with Alice a few weeks ago. She warned Elizabeth about taking Jack for granted. Alice took Victor for granted and he stopped doing the little things because he thought Alice didn't care about them anymore. Elizabeth closed her eyes to focus herself.

"Abagail…I have taken him for granted. I've become so accustomed to him doing these things for me that I have come to expect them, and I am not grateful for them."

Her face contorted concerning that fact. She never wanted Jack to think she didn't appreciate him. Yet, that is exactly what she did. Elizabeth closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Abagail, what about this weekend? What is happening this weekend?"

"I wasn't supposed to say anything."

"But you did! What is he doing?"

Abagail paused and took a breath. "Elizabeth, it's not my story to tell. You need to speak to your husband."

"There's a lot of things I need to say to Jack. I'm not sure if I will have time to get to that particular one." She took another deep breath. I need to go home and talk to him."

"He isn't home."

"Why? Where is he?"

"Frank took him out. Jack was hurt and embarrassed sitting at dinner alone because his wife brushed him off. Frank thought it was best for him not to be alone."

"That's my job, not Franks."

Abagail closed her eyes while she spoke. "You weren't around."

Elizabeth took the punch. It was a painful punch, but she did deserve it. "When will he be home?"

"I have no idea."

"Maybe I should go and look for him."

"Maybe you should give him some time to work this out on his own."

That was another painful punch. "I think I will go home and wait for Jack."

…

She left the porch without saying goodbye to Julie or Beth. When Abagail explained what happened, they understood. They were shocked this evening turned into what it did.

"I understand. My husband did that to me early in our marriage and I was so frustrated with him. I could have strangled him." Beth said.

"Yes, I did the same with Frank."

"I think I'll use this as an opportunity to avoid that." Teased Julie.

"I don't mean to be crude, but do you think this weekend will still happen?" Beth asked.

"I think so. They will work it out." Abagail stated.

…

Elizabeth replayed the last couple of days as she walked home and noticed she was beginning to take Jack for granted. She didn't mean too, but she did. The little things she loved so much was becoming routine, normal, and she barely noticed them anymore. How could I let the house come before my husband? How could I ignore the things he did for me?

When she walked into the apartment, her focused was instantly drawn to the kitchen table and all the stuff from her classroom. She sat at the table and was looking at the pile. She had a few drawings from her students. She noticed a snoopy stapler she had from high school was in the pile. There were knickknacks she collected over the year. There were some odd papers and a few fliers in the pile. Everything was there except for the flowers Jack sent her. She knew he had a busy day. Yet, he took the time to send her flowers. Their absence was a cruel reminder of her actions. She quit thumbing through the stuff because it only reminded her that she hasn't been as attentive with Jack as she should have been.

Elizabeth sighed as she leaned back in the kitchen chair. She noticed it was getting late, but there was no way she was going to bed before she apologized to her husband.

…

Jack was getting better at playing pool but was no match for Frank. He began showing Jack a few pointers to improve his game. Jack was a quick learner, but he wasn't improving that fast.

"Frank, I think I'm ready to go home. I'm tired and the ladies will be leaving early in the morning.

"Are they still going?

"I assume they are. Everything is already paid for. If they get an early start, it will give them extra time to shop. They are supposed to meet at the café at eight. They can eat breakfast then head out. Grace insisted on renting a large SUV so they would have room for everyone and their luggage."

"They will love it. Did she get in today?"

"Yeah. She is staying at my ma's house. I'll bring Elizabeth and all the other men will do the same with the other women. That way no one will have to leave a car at the café. We will pick them up on Monday when they get back."

"Wow! They will have a long four day weekend." Frank hesitated for a few moments. He wasn't sure if he should say something. "Abagail texted a little while ago and said Elizabeth is home."

Jack sighed. He didn't want to go home and fight. He was hoping he could climb in bed and be asleep before Elizabeth would get home. He was tired. Work was busy and he was working hard to get off a little early. Plus, the evening was emotionally draining. He wasn't up for a long discussion.

…

Jack pulled into the driveway and noticed the lights were on in the apartment. He sighed. He was accustomed to arguing with suspects, but he hated doing this with Elizabeth. He sat in his truck for a few minutes trying to get the nerve up to go inside.

Elizabeth saw the headlights of Jack's truck. She heard him turn the engine off, but she did not hear the truck door open or close. It wasn't lost on Elizabeth that he was still sitting in the truck in the driveway. One of his greatest wants in life was that he wanted a love that made him excited to come home. Now, he was sitting in the driveway avoiding coming inside their home. She sighed as she watched the minute hand move on the clock on the wall. She felt like it was mocking her. After a ten minute wait, she heard Jack climb the steps and reached the front door and began to open it.

…

"So…what do you think?" Abagail said as she snuggled up to Frank on the couch.

"He was hurt by her actions. He's fine, but a little hurt."

"Yeah, it took her a few minutes for her to fully understand what she was doing."

"That is normal. I hate they are going through this." Frank stated.

Abagail sighed. "Me too."

"He was mainly upset because he really tries to show her how important she is to him. Those little things are important to her, and he wanted to do those. Now, he feels that she doesn't care about them. He mentioned he struggles with finding ways to love her and now they aren't important to her anymore."

"Yeah, I saw the heart break on his face. Elizabeth was right…he can't hide his true feelings from his facial expressions."

"Do you think they will be ok?"

"Yes, Frank. I have no doubt. My little sis can be stubborn when her mind is made up and her mind was set when she left. I almost feel sorry for him."

"Jack said he felt sorry for Elziabeth having to stand in front of you tonight."

Abagail chuckled at the response. "I was pretty hard on her, but she needed to understand what she did and how he felt."

"You two have stood up to each other over the years."

"Yeah, I jumped on her tonight like she jumped on me for taking too much time to fill out the foster care papers."

"That bad?"

"Yeah."

"If I remember correctly, you were hurt for two days by the way she talked to you?"

"I was. She was brutal, but I needed it. Just like she needed it tonight."

Frank nodded his head. "You two are good for each other."

"Yes, we are."

…

Jack took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. He needed to go inside but was having trouble doing so. Finally, he stepped out of the truck and closed the truck door. He slowly walked up the sidewalk and stopped when he reached the top step. He took another deep breath and reached for the door. He was hoping she was asleep so they could avoid the discussion.

After opening the door, he stepped inside with his head down. He slowly closed the door in case Elizabeth was asleep. He turned around and looked into the kitchen and all of his hopes were dashed. Elizabeth was sitting at the kitchen table looking in his direction. He froze and closed his eyes for a moment while taking a deep breath. This act broke Elizabeth's heart.

"Jack…" she said in a soft voice. The rehearsed speech she had worked on for the past couple of hours or so was no longer in her mind.

"Hey, Elizabeth." He said just as softly.

Elizabeth noticed he used her name. When he was upset, he would always use her name.

Jack walked to the desk and opened the drawer where he placed his wallet, keys, and everything else in his pockets. Elizabeth watched him as he emptied his pockets.

"Jack." She began again while watching him. "I think we need to talk."

"Elizabeth. Yes, we do, but it's late. Can we do this later?"

"Jack, I think we may need to talk now."

"Elizabeth. It's late and you have an early morning tomorrow."

"An early morning? It's Friday and my first day of summer break."

Jack closed his eyes when he realized he spoiled the surprise.

"Why do I have an early morning?"

Jack lowered his head. This is not how he wanted to tell her. He had a plan, but her absence ended it. This was just a reminder how the evening had gone.

"Does this long weekend have something to do with my packed bag?" She hesitated for a moment trying not to say it, but she couldn't stop from asking. "I noticed your bag isn't packed. Did I mess this up so badly that I am moving out?" She exhaled a short breath.

"The bag is for you. I have planned something for you."

"Jack, you didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to surprise you. Elizabeth, it's been a long day, can we just go to bed? I'm tired and I think you are too."

She exhaled another breath. She knew this was what he did when he was having trouble finding words. He would shut down and avoid the situation. This was his lack of experience shining through. She shook her head. "No, Jack. I need to apologize."

"Apology accepted. Now, let's go to sleep." He stated at he turned toward to the bedroom.

"No!" She stated a little too forcefully. "Jack, I am so sorry for what I did today and over the last few days. I have been insensitive and have taken you for granted. I am sorry."

She was still looking at him. She noticed he still used her name and was still standing by the desk in his defeated posture, head down and shoulders slumped. He nodded and gave her a very weak smile.

"Jack, thank you for the flowers today."

He nodded but still didn't look at her.

"Jack, I am trying to apologize."

"And I have accepted your apology. Now, can we forget this?"

She knew then how much she hurt him. She loved him and couldn't stand the thought of him hurting because of her.

"I guess this is how it works after a few weeks of marriage. I'm sorry I'm not experienced in relationships. I guess my head was in the sky thinking we would always be in the honeymoon season of our marriage. I guess things settle over time." He sighed and kept his gaze to the floor.

"Jack, I am sorry. The flowers were beautiful."

"So beautiful you left them at school?"

It was her turn to lower her head. Yes, the words were painful, but the hurt tone he used was the worst part.

"Jack."

"Elizabeth…I get it. People settle in their marriages and things that once was important and new are no longer important and new."

"They are still important."

"Are they Elizabeth?" He didn't know where the question came from. His hurt was beginning to come through his voice.

"Yes."

"So important that you forgot them on your desk? The same desk you won't see for weeks?"

"I deserved that." She said softly.

"Elizabeth, I'm sorry. I was…"

"Jack, you do not owe me an apology here."

"I think I do, Elizabeth. I was just hoping for a marriage that was different than my friend's unhappy marriages. I guess I was just aiming too high. My expectations were too much."

A tear slipped down her face at his admission.

"Jack, I'm sorry I've hurt you. I did not mean to take you for granted."

Jack just nodded his head. He didn't say anything.

"Jack, after gathering the important things from my desk, I was in a hurry to get home to drop them off. I was supposed to go to our new house to look over the kitchen and living room. Julie met us there and I got lost with them talking about the house."

As she was talking, Jack walked into the kitchen to get a bottled water. He reached in the pile and picked up a black and white cow figurine. "Important things like this?" He held up the figurine.

She didn't say anything. She knew he was hurt by her actions.

"Elizabeth, I try to show you how much I love you, but it's hard for me. I don't know what I'm doing. I try to take cues from you, and I thought you enjoyed those little things I did. It's not easy coming up with different things to do for you."

"I'm sorry Jack. I do love those little things. They mean so much to me."

"Really?" He asked with attitude. "Those flowers will die on your desk. You didn't say thank you or anything about them. Why didn't you forget about all of this important stuff?" He said as he waved his hand over her large pile of things. "I bought Ms. Florence a bouquet of wildflowers and I received a text from her."

"I know." She whispered.

"You didn't respond to any of my texts or phone calls." His frustration was beginning to work its way out in his tone.

"No. I didn't."

"Did you not get them or noticed them?"

"I got them."

"So, you ignored them?"

She nodded.

"You always said you loved the fact that I always reply to you, even if it is just an emoji because you know I'm not ignoring you when I don't have time to text a full reply."

"I do love that."

"Why?"

"I love it because I know you love me and you are not ignoring me. I know you are busy, but you make me feel important because you take the time to send an emoji. You don't ignore me."

"So, why did you not respond to me? What was so important that you brushed me off and ignored me?"

Elizabeth closed her eyes because she didn't want to admit it, but she knew she wasn't going to lie to him for any reason. "I was talking with Beth and Julie about the house, and I didn't want to be disrupted."

Jack took a deep breath, but he didn't say anything. Elizabeth would have preferred if he got mad and yelled. The pain she caused was coming back to her a hundred fold in his silence.

She noticed a tear in Jack's eye. "So, you forgot about our dinner plans with me to celebrate with Frank and Abagail because you didn't want to be disrupted from Beth and Julie?"

She nodded but didn't say anything.

"Well, what color is our kitchen and living room going to be?"

She took a deep breath. "Jack, I am so sorry. I got all caught up in the house and our plans that I forgot all about everything."

"Our plans, Elizabeth? I haven't been included in those plans you are working on."

She realized she once again cut him out of the process. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Elizabeth, I sketched something for you yesterday and you didn't say anything about it. Are you unhappy with me? With us? With our marriage?"

The tears began to flow without hesitation. She stood and faced Jack. "I am not unhappy. I couldn't be happier with you and our marriage." She said with determination.

"Then Elizabeth, what am I doing wrong? What can I do to make us better?"

She slowly reached for his hand and was forever grateful he didn't pull away from her. "Jack, you have been great. I am sorry I took you for granted. I do not have a good reason for it. I just lost track of the important areas of our lives."

"Elizabeth, it's late, can we go to bed, and we can continue to talk about his when you get back?"

"Where am I going?"

He growled in frustration. "I wasn't wanting to tell you this way, but…I reserved a log cabin for you to celebrate a great year of school."

"You're not coming?"

"No. That wasn't the plan. I have arranged for you, Julie, Abagail, Viola, Alice, Beth, Ma, and your mother to go for a four day weekend to Baxton. It's an hour and a half drive from here. You all will be staying in the cabin and then do whatever you want to do. You can go hiking, shopping, walking around town, hanging at the cabin. You can do whatever you want."

He released her hand and walked to the counter. He opened the drawer and pulled out several brochures with information about Baxton. "The ladies already have their brochures. Here are yours to look over and figure out what you want to do."

This should have made her excited, but it actually made her feel worse.

"I have your bag packed already. I did not pack your bathroom bag because you would need those things tonight and in the morning. I thought you could pack them in the morning. You may want to go through your bag to make sure I packed the items you would want to wear."

"That's why my bag is packed in the bedroom?"

"Yes."

"And that's why Beth's suitcase was out?"

"I guess."

"Why did you do that?"

The question actually hurt his feelings. "Elizabeth, I wanted you to celebrate the school year ending. I know you love being around your friends. I asked if they would be willing to go with you. When I got a count, I reserved a cabin big enough for all of you. I also knew you would love for your mother to go too. She instantly agreed. She also rented a bigger vehicle so everyone would fit in the same car with all your luggage."

Elizabeth nodded but didn't say anything.

"You will be meeting everyone at the café at eight in the morning. You need to get to bed so you can get some rest for tomorrow."

"Jack, I can't rest until I fix this with us."

"Elziabeth, I am not going anywhere."

"Jack, I know you are not going anywhere. I love you and I want to fix the damage I caused."

"It's fine, Elizabeth. I will lower my expectations and…"

"Jack!" She exclaimed with a loud voice. "I am the one who needs to up my expectations. You should not lower yours." The determination and fight were coming through her voice. "I promised myself that this will be a household, and I would be the wife, that you would want to come home to. I know you sat in your truck for over ten minutes because you didn't want to come inside. It breaks my heart that you didn't want to come home to me. And I know I caused it."

Jack vaguely nodded his head.

"I will never do that again. You are too important to me. Jack, this is too important to me." She moved her hand back and forth between them. "I am sorry I took you for granted. I will do my best to never do that again."

She gave him a smile and reached for his hand again. Grateful he took it and laced his fingers through hers. It was the first time since he was home that he gave her a smile. It wasn't a big smile or even a good smile, but a smile nonetheless.

"Let's go to sleep, Elizabeth. You had a busy day, and you have a big day tomorrow and you don't want to be too cranky for the trip."

She nodded her agreement. She also noticed he still called her by her name instead of one of the numerous nicknames.

As they prepared for bed, she would steal glances at him. He looked sad, almost defeated. He was lying in bed first with his head resting on his pillow. She slowly moved closer to him until her head was resting on his chest and neck.

"Jack…I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too." Jack sighed. "Elizabeth, I have never been good at expressing what's on my heart. I try, but the words never come out right. The things I do for you isn't easy for me, but it's my way of expressing my true feelings to you. You seemed like you didn't care if I did them anymore. I know we will fall into a routine in our marriage, but I just didn't think it would be so soon, and…" His words faded into silence.

She snuggled in closer to her husband. "And you didn't think we would settle so far from where we were." She finished his statement with sadness in her voice.

Jack nodded in agreement.

As she laid there, she held onto Jack with all of her might. She closed her eyes. I will do my best to never take Jack and the things he does for me for granted ever again. I love him and we are too important to ever let him or me feel this way again. When she opened her eyes, the words Abagail spoke earlier came to mind. "You always said that Jack out does you, Elizabeth, I have to agree with you." The words were on a loop in her brain. Never again! She exclaimed to herself. She felt Jack's body fall into a state of sleep. She looked up and noticed he was asleep but not a restful sleep. She lowered her head to his shoulder again and thought over the last couple of days. He was right, she had taken him for granted. He did the things he has always done, but she wasn't grateful for his acts of love. Acts of love and acts of service were her love language. She loved it when Jack did those things but for some reason, she allowed other things to come before him. She didn't cry anymore; she was too determined for tears to come.

I will not always do things perfectly, but we will never feel this way again. She thought to herself when she fell into a restless sleep.