Read Taking Chances for Free Online Page B

practically fall over, so I decided to wait and check on you. I hope you weren’t planning on driving.”
    “Nope, I want to go on the swings,” I pointed across the street at the park.
    “I don’t think there are swings in that park.” he said, leading me towards it.
    “Impossible,” I stated. “A park must have a swing.”
    When we reached the sidewalk that leads into the park, I told him, “You can go home, Harvey. I’ll find the swing myself... I’d like to be alone, anyway... I’m not really drunk.” Then I walked off into the wooded trail, leaving Harvey with no choice but to follow me.
    “You know, I’d noticed you never order drinks when we all go out to eat. Are you normally against alcohol or something?”
    “No, I’m all for it. I feel great right now. As if my husband wasn’t sleeping with my best friend. Soon I won’t have a husband or a best friend, but right now what I care about is that swing. I hardly drink because it triggers my migraines, and I know in a few hours I will suffer, but right now I will enjoy it. Let’s turn left. I think that’s where the swing is.”
    “Jesus, that sucks. So you never drink?”
    “Not unless I’m willing to hide in my bedroom and turn off all the lights later on.”
    I heard him following me as I tripped over roots and fallen branches. An urge to to run from him and yell “Hide and seek” came to me, but I was afraid he already thought I was nuts. Where was that swing?
    “But you don’t have to babysit me. I won’t throw myself in front of an oncoming car or streak through these woods or anything.”
    “I hope not,” he said with a chuckle, “But I’d be more comfortable staying with you until you’re sober.”
    “That could take years!” Shouting to the trees released some of my pent up energy. “I might become an alcoholic now. I have to become something else now that I won’t be a wife.”
    “You’d have a constant migraine,” he yelled back.
    “But it would keep my mind off my failed marriage.”
    Then he reached for me and put his hands on both of my shoulders. “Listen to me, Audrey. This is not our fault. Whatever happens, they made that decision, so the marriage failing is not on us.”
    “But everyone will think there’s something wrong with me. Everyone will somehow know why we are getting divorced. Or worse— I’ll stay with him, and everyone will know he cheated on me.” I was looking at him at first, but then shoved my head into his chest, knowing full well I would not stop the tears this time. And out they came.
    He rested his hands on my back, trying to comfort me. “That’s not how this will go down. No one but them and us needs to know anything. And Gus, of course.” I looked up at him and smiled, once again glad I wasn’t in this alone.
    “So, where is this swing again?” he asked, obviously humoring me.
    “Follow me,” I said, wiping my tear-stained face on my sleeve. After a few more turns in the wood, we came upon a clearing under a large oak tree, with a wooden swing attached by rope to a low branch.
    “Is this thing safe?” he asked, pulling down on the rope. After a couple of test swings himself, he jumped off and motioned for me to get on.
    I felt him push against my back, and I was airborne. Back and forth, the wind whipped at my face and tangled my hair. The trees weren’t there… Harvey wasn’t there… it was almost as if even I wasn’t there. I closed my eyes and imagined what it would be like to not exist. To be nothing but the light I saw through my closed eyelids. After a while I noticed he had stopped pushing me and was sitting opposite me on the grass, watching as I slowed to a stop.
    “I think I’m good to drive now.”
    “I hope so. I sprained my arm pushing you for so long,” he said.
    “Shut up,” I laughed, jumping off. “Let’s get out of here.”
    He followed me back through the trail, walking me to my car. “Are you sure you’re fine? I’ll follow you home if