“Okay, I'll see you guys at six. Charlie, be good.” I walked to my car and headed to work.
Once I was alone, though, I couldn't stop myself from dwelling on the fact that my marriage was on the fast-track to self-destruct. When I pulled my car into its spot at the office, I picked up my phone and dialed Cassie's number. It went straight to voicemail, which was no surprise since she rarely had her phone on when she was at work.
When the beep sounded, I took a breath and left her a brief message. “Hey, it's just me. I just wanted to tell you to have a good day today since we missed you this morning, and to say we should maybe organize a family outing for this weekend. Call me later. I love you.”
I ended the call and grabbed my briefcase before heading into the building, ready to start my day. Sadly, I couldn't stop myself from feeling that this one would be no different from the rest.
Chapter 2 | So Many Memories
T he end of the day couldn't have come soon enough. Most days I truly enjoyed my job, but I was so worn out from the night before that I just couldn't find that same drive. That's not to say I didn't listen to my patients and give them the best care they deserved. I was still a professional. However, today was a particularly low traffic day, and when I had fewer patients, I had more down time to think of the shit-storm my life had become these last few years.
I packed up my briefcase and exited my corner office as quickly as possible, anxious to pick Charlie up and hear all about her exciting day. I passed the receptionist on my way out and waved. “Goodnight, Jill. See you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight, Dr. Martin,” she replied with a flirtatious smile.
I shook my head as I pushed my way through the doors. It didn't seem to matter to other women that I was married—happily, or not—they all seemed to think I would succumb to their advances. It grew quite tiresome after a while.
I climbed into my car and checked my phone to see if Cassie had returned my call from earlier. She hadn't, not that I was surprised. After taking a moment to try to remind myself she was probably really tied up with work all day, I finally started the car and headed through town to my parents' house.
When I arrived, I found Charlie outside with Jen and one of my best friends—who also happened to be my sister's husband—Alex, playing a game of “Tag.” I laughed as Alex ducked and rolled to evade my sister's touch. When he got up, he had bits of grass and leaves scattered in his brown hair. I put the car into park and stepped out.
“Daddy!” Charlie cried, rushing across the lawn to come see me. “We need a time-out! My daddy's here!”
Alex stood up and furrowed his brow. “Hey! No fair! When I asked for a time-out, you said they weren't allowed,” he teased, acting petulant.
Charlie laughed at him as she hopped into my awaiting arms and squeezed me. I returned her embrace as I spoke. “Hey, sweetie. How was your day?”
She wriggled free and looked me square in the eyes. “It was so good!”
“Fantastic,” I said happily. “Are Grandma and Grandpa inside?”
She nodded excitedly. “Mmm hmm. Gramma's cookin' dinner.”
“Thanks. You go and play with your aunt and uncle. I'm going to go and say hi and then we'll head for home, all right?” I suggested.
Her smile lit up her face as she turned and ran back to the lawn. “Time-on!” she squealed as she ran for Alex. He picked her up and carried her quickly away from Jennifer as she continued to try and tag them both.
“That's not even close to being fair, Alex!” Jennifer cried out as I walked through the front door. Sometimes it was hard to believe she was a year older than me.
Once inside, I removed my shoes and padded through the massive entryway. As I walked through the hall on my way to the kitchen, I couldn't help but look at each and every picture of happier
Once I was alone, though, I couldn't stop myself from dwelling on the fact that my marriage was on the fast-track to self-destruct. When I pulled my car into its spot at the office, I picked up my phone and dialed Cassie's number. It went straight to voicemail, which was no surprise since she rarely had her phone on when she was at work.
When the beep sounded, I took a breath and left her a brief message. “Hey, it's just me. I just wanted to tell you to have a good day today since we missed you this morning, and to say we should maybe organize a family outing for this weekend. Call me later. I love you.”
I ended the call and grabbed my briefcase before heading into the building, ready to start my day. Sadly, I couldn't stop myself from feeling that this one would be no different from the rest.
Chapter 2 | So Many Memories
T he end of the day couldn't have come soon enough. Most days I truly enjoyed my job, but I was so worn out from the night before that I just couldn't find that same drive. That's not to say I didn't listen to my patients and give them the best care they deserved. I was still a professional. However, today was a particularly low traffic day, and when I had fewer patients, I had more down time to think of the shit-storm my life had become these last few years.
I packed up my briefcase and exited my corner office as quickly as possible, anxious to pick Charlie up and hear all about her exciting day. I passed the receptionist on my way out and waved. “Goodnight, Jill. See you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight, Dr. Martin,” she replied with a flirtatious smile.
I shook my head as I pushed my way through the doors. It didn't seem to matter to other women that I was married—happily, or not—they all seemed to think I would succumb to their advances. It grew quite tiresome after a while.
I climbed into my car and checked my phone to see if Cassie had returned my call from earlier. She hadn't, not that I was surprised. After taking a moment to try to remind myself she was probably really tied up with work all day, I finally started the car and headed through town to my parents' house.
When I arrived, I found Charlie outside with Jen and one of my best friends—who also happened to be my sister's husband—Alex, playing a game of “Tag.” I laughed as Alex ducked and rolled to evade my sister's touch. When he got up, he had bits of grass and leaves scattered in his brown hair. I put the car into park and stepped out.
“Daddy!” Charlie cried, rushing across the lawn to come see me. “We need a time-out! My daddy's here!”
Alex stood up and furrowed his brow. “Hey! No fair! When I asked for a time-out, you said they weren't allowed,” he teased, acting petulant.
Charlie laughed at him as she hopped into my awaiting arms and squeezed me. I returned her embrace as I spoke. “Hey, sweetie. How was your day?”
She wriggled free and looked me square in the eyes. “It was so good!”
“Fantastic,” I said happily. “Are Grandma and Grandpa inside?”
She nodded excitedly. “Mmm hmm. Gramma's cookin' dinner.”
“Thanks. You go and play with your aunt and uncle. I'm going to go and say hi and then we'll head for home, all right?” I suggested.
Her smile lit up her face as she turned and ran back to the lawn. “Time-on!” she squealed as she ran for Alex. He picked her up and carried her quickly away from Jennifer as she continued to try and tag them both.
“That's not even close to being fair, Alex!” Jennifer cried out as I walked through the front door. Sometimes it was hard to believe she was a year older than me.
Once inside, I removed my shoes and padded through the massive entryway. As I walked through the hall on my way to the kitchen, I couldn't help but look at each and every picture of happier
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