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I can’t trust you to take care of yourself while I’m away then I’m going to have to stay at home, aren’t I?”
    She sniffled. “I’m sorry. I’m worse than a child, aren’t I? Well, I guess that’s karma. I’m a childish brat who doesn’t deserve children and that’s why I can’t have any. Maybe you should stick a diaper on me and pretend I’m a baby , it’s the closest we’ll probably get. I should just disappear before you get home; give you a chance to find someone who’s not as fucked up as I am.”
    Immediately, she froze. She couldn’t believe what she’d just said.
    “Frankie?” She heard the shock in his voice. “What are you talking about? I cannot believe you just threatened to leave me!”
    In a panic, Frankie ended the call, star ing at her phone it like it was a snake as it rang over and over. Then the landline buzzed. Frankie cra wled under the covers, hiding herself away .
    What the hell was wrong with her? She hadn’t meant to bring up her failed pregnancy test. She wasn’t ready to do what was right and leave Tom, free him up to find a woman who could provide him with everything. And yet she’d told him just that.
    God, had she really suggested he put her in a diaper? Was she going insane?
    She really needed to answer the phone. Apologize. Tell him she didn’t mean a word of it. But she found herself frozen. Suddenly the silence hit her.
    He’d given up.
    Tears welled in her eyes. Idiot. You wouldn’t answer the phone because you didn’t want to talk to him and now you’re upset because he’s given up trying to talk to you.
    What was wrong with her? She felt like an emotional wreck. Like she was stuck in a downward spiral with no way up. She’d just wanted things to be perfect. To be an amazing wife, to have wonderful babies, to give Tom the life he deserved.
    Instead she’d dug herself into a miserable hole and she was only making things worse.

 
Chapter Two
     
    Frankie she stared at the flashing light of the answer machine. Tom had left her a message. She swallowed heavily, working up the courage she ne eded to listen to it . She’d lain awake most of the night, filled with guilt and worry.
    She needed to get moving. If she didn’t leave soon she’d be late for work. Face scrunched up, not really wanting to hear the message; she quickly reached down and pressed the playback button.
    Tom’s voice immediately came through the speaker, rich and stern.
    “Young lady, wh at rule do we have in our house? If I am ringing, you must always pick up. That’s two.”
    She frowned. Two? What was one?
    As though he could hear her, he continued. “One was not eating dinner when you were supposed to. And I’m making a new rule, one I never thought I would have to, and that is you are not allowed to hang up when we’re having a conversation. It’s disrespectful and rude. And you will not be leaving me. Ever. That was a horrible threat to make. Honey,” his voice became quieter, gentler . “I know you’re stressed and tired at the moment, when I get home we’re going to sit down and have a long talk. I don’t like seeing you so upset and exhausted. Now, I will ring you during your lunch hour. I love you, baby. Drive safely. Eat. Take care of yourself.”
    The message ended and it was then she realized she had tears running down her face. What had she e ver done to deserve such a man?
    *****
    By the time lunchtime came around, Frankie was a nervous wreck. She’d spent most of t he morning berating herself. Her boss had even asked her if she was ill and needed to go home. She’d been tempted to lie and say yes, only what would she do at home except obsess more?
    Walking outside to sit in the sun, she sighed as she realized she’d forgotten to bring an y lunch with her.
    Her cell rang in her hand. Tom’s name flashed on the screen. Frankie ran her finger over the screen to unlock her phone, and then drew it up to her ear.
    “Hello,” she said shakily.
    “Baby.”