A Couple of Years of Gardening (Chapter 10) (standard:romance, 1506 words) [10/10] show all parts
Author: kmr412002	Added: Apr 27 2008	Views/Reads: 2049/1470	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
The courtship and marriage of a detective as told by his wife.

When I land in Atlanta, it is then I decide to call Ernan about NYU. 

“So the heart made you decide to do what I could not.” 

“How did you know?” 

“When I saw you two at the game, your heads were together like you
planning a great event. Perhaps --?” 

“Oh, no it's too early to even think about that. I don't think being
together on weekends were cutting it for either of us. Ernan, I think I 
finally found someone.” 

“That's wonderful. I am so glad for you.” 

We made a date for me to visit the school in a few weeks. 

I went to see my boss, Jane. I hope I could still work for the editing
house on a consulting basis. I tell her about my plans to move to New 
York and exactly why. 

She snorts a slightly derisive laugh. "Nina, he cracked that whip, and
you're willing to change your whole life. Have you ever asked him to 
move here?  I've seen stuff like this happen all the time to my 
friends. It's always the woman that has to do change her life." I stand 
up and look down at her sitting at her desk. 

I expect some more remarks about how I'm ruining my life when she
suddenly swivels her seat around to stare out at the window on the 
street. She says quietly, "And my life is shit. Good luck, Nina. I wish 
you the best.” 

Later that day, I receive an email from her suggesting a few projects
that I will be able to take on a consulting basis when I make the move 
to New York. 

When I make my way to the front of the airport to get a cab, I see it
then, and instantly pretend not to see it. I wheel my luggage ahead of 
the approaching police car looking straight ahead. I hear brakes squeal 
which makes me quicken my pace and that's when I hear her call my name. 


I freeze dropping my luggage, keeping my back to her. Right now, I hate
my best friend in the world, because I know my world may come to an end 
with the news she has to bring.  Kate repeats my name, and I turn 
around to face her. There are two policemen behind her. I back away 
from her putting my hand up as she rushes up to me. I keep backing away 
until I back into a pillar.  I shake my head, saying over and over, 
“No, Kate.” 

Her eyes are red, and the first thing I think is, how can she do this
job when she can get so emotional. But of course, this is different. 

“Honey, Jack's at St. Elizabeth's.” 

I feel my knees weaken, as a cop supports my arm and the other grabs my
bag, and then guides me to the car. I sit in the back of the car 
waiting for her to tell me what had happened, but at the same time not 
wanting to know. For minute or so, she won't meet my eyes. I see it as 
her coat falls open. There is a scarlet crescent peeking out from the 
waistband of her pants. I say, “Kate, you're hurt.” 

She looks at her blouse. “That's not me, Nina.”  She continues to stare
out the window and we say nothing for a minute or so. 

After awhile, she takes a deep breath. “Do you remember the little boy
in Mamie's class who had that parent?” 

I remembered Jack, Kate, and I had attended his niece's, Mamie, second
grade class on career day. I did my little talk on photography. I 
noticed Jack rocking on his heels as he spoke about what he did. He 
spoke to the class about being safe, staying away from stranger, and if 
they did not feel safe, they needed to tell a parent. Afterward, a 
small pale boy raised his hand and asked, “What if you know them, and 
they do something bad to you anyway?  What if Dad's the one who is 


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