A Promise of Forever

A Promise of Forever

B. J. Betts

A Promise of Forever

Copyright© 2017 B.J. Betts

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

All rights reserved.

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Chapter 1

Meghan Stevens sat with her knees pulled up to her chest in the middle of her bed. Although it was nearly eighty degrees outside, Meghan was wrapped in her favorite comforter and wearing her floral printed, flannel nightgown. Tears slid down her cheeks as she took another spoonful of her favorite mint and chocolate chip ice cream.

Reaching for the box of tissues that sat by her side, she plucked a tissue from the box and blew her nose. Between heartfelt sobs, she swiped at the tears that fell down her cheeks, but the tissue did little to stop their steady flow. Once again, she asked herself what happened. Exhausted, she lay back and closed her eyes.

Maybe it was all just a bad dream. She’d open her eyes and find that’s what this was—a really bad dream. She’d wake up and everything would be fine, back to normal. Carefully, she opened one eye and peered about the room.

The television set was on the same channel she’d been watching, or listening to, in between heartfelt crying jags. The mint chip ice cream sat in the container at her side, melting. No, it wasn’t a dream. She really was lying in her bed—alone.

She reached her hand over to the empty spot on her bed. Her husband’s pillow lay there, untouched. She ran a hand lovingly over where Rex’s head used to lie. It felt cold to her touch. Another fit of crying hit her. She lay back weakly and let the tears fall. When at last the crying jag ended, she sat up on the edge of her bed. This was getting her nowhere.

You have to get up, Meghan, she told herself. Glancing at the clock on her nightstand, it read two o’clock. She peered at the sunlight streaming through the bedroom drapes. Never had she lain in bed all day. Except the times when she was down with a bad flu or something.

Getting up off the bed, she made her way to the bathroom. She’d take a shower and things would feel better, she thought as she pulled her nightgown over her head.

She glanced at her naked body in the sliding, mirrored, shower door. She really did look hideous, she thought as she stood there, looking at her naked body. Her boobs were sagging and she had a paunch around her middle. She’d put on a good thirty pounds since her marriage to Rex twenty years ago. No wonder he wanted out.

She peered into the mirror and looked at her face. Her blue eyes were red and swollen, her nose was raw and her full lips cracked and dry from hours of non-stop crying. With fingers that trembled slightly, she ran them through her tangled hair, her fingertips caught on something soft. She looked down at what she held in her hand—it was the flower she’d worn in her hair the night before. What once had been beautiful lay limp and faded in the palm of her hand. She watched as it slipped from her fingertips and drifted to the floor.

Stepping into the shower, she turned on the faucet. The warm water felt good as she let it run over her reddened face. She reached for the bar of scented soap and another fit of crying tore through her. Rex had bought it for her last Christmas. Just the scent of it brought tears to her eyes and an ache in her heart.

How could she have known he would be asking for a divorce a short five months later? They had made love under the Christmas tree, Christmas Eve, after they had opened presents from each other. The bath kit had been among the many presents he’d bought for her.

After shampooing her hair and adding crème rinse, she stepped from the steamy shower and toweled off.

Wrapped in a white, terry cloth robe, she stood before the mirror, brushing the tangles from her hair.

Okay, Meghan, what are you going to do? she asked herself.

Rex had been dead serious. She thought back to the night before…

Everything was ready for eighteen-year-old Thomas. His graduation party was set to go. Meghan had transformed the backyard into a Polynesian Paradise. She’d even contacted a local Polynesian dance troupe to perform a number tonight to entertain their guests.

A hog lay in the ground, roasting, and covered in banana leaves to give it that exotic flavor. She had dug the pit herself. If there was one thing Meghan had a gift for, it was putting on wonderful parties. Her guests never walked away disappointed. She’d used her talent for every talent show and fundraiser she was involved in at her sons’ schools or the church they attended.

She had gone all out for Thomas’ party. Tiki torches lined the patio, just waiting to be lit. Flowers and candles graced every table she had arranged around the backyard. Polynesian music filled the air. Fresh coconuts with a brightly-colored straw and slices of pineapple waiting to be used to serve drinks.

I think you’ve just about thought of everything, said her best friend, Amber Wallace. The two had been best friends since Meghan and Rex had moved to the neighborhood nineteen years ago.

Meghan smiled back at the petite brunette.

I just hope he likes it. You don’t think it’s too girly, do you? asked Meghan as she sat a bowl of potato salad on a tray of ice chips to keep it cold.

Heck no, I think he’s gonna love it. Wait ’til he gets a look at that tiki hut we put up. Talk about cool.

Yeah, I like it, too. I think I’ll leave it up for the summer. I can’t wait until Rex sees it. His plane should be landing any minute now, said Meghan, glancing at the watch she wore on her wrist.

She was glad she’d taken her shower and dressed in the Polynesian flowered sarong. She’d put a red hibiscus flower behind her ear and wore her long, blond hair loose.

Wait till he gets a look at you in that get up, chuckled Amber. I know one man that’s gonna be mighty impatient for this party to be over with, so he can have some alone time with his beautiful wife.

I hope he likes it, replied Meghan nervously. I mean, do I really look all right?

Honey, you look marvelous, her friend assured her.

Meghan ran her hand down the fine silk, flowered dress.

I just wish I could pull off something like that. With those long legs of yours, you have the height for it. Me, I’m gonna be wearing what I have on.

She stood and preened in her halter-top and short, cut-off jeans. I’ll play the part of a beach bum. Besides, Harvey won’t notice what I have on. All that man cares about is baseball and a cold beer. As long as he has those two things, the man’s as happy as a clam.

The party was in full swing and there was still no sign of Rex. Meghan walked into the kitchen and turned on the answering machine. The recorded voice said, No messages.

She walked over to the kitchen stand where she kept the phone books. Worry shot through her. His plane was to arrive at five and it was nearly seven thirty. She quickly dialed the number to Southwest Airlines. The recorded voice reported that flight 1203 had arrived on time.

Where could he be? she mumbled as she stood at the counter, drumming her fingers on the countertop.

Hey, Dad’s here, announced Riley as he walked into the kitchen with his arms loaded down with empty plates.

His truck just pulled up out front. By the way, Mom, everyone said the pig was great. You really did a great job on Thomas’ party. Kids will be talking about this at their first class reunion. It’s almost as good as the one you threw for me last year. They loved the cruise ship idea.

Thanks, honey.

She looked at her eldest son. He was the spitting image of his father. His dark brown hair curled at the back of his neck, and his eyes, which were shaped like hers, were brown, not blue. He was well over six feet tall and had towered over her since he was fourteen.

She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. She still couldn’t believe her sons had grown up so fast. She’d had them a little less than a year apart. For two days in January, they were the same age. She loved every minute of being their mom.

Well, I better get back out there. The natives are getting restless. I’ll tell Dad you’re in the kitchen.

No, honey, it’s okay. I’ll walk out with you, said Meghan, grabbing another tray of sliced pineapple upside down cake. Your dad will be busy talking to our guests.

She walked through the kitchen door and down the steps. She spotted Rex right away. He stood over by the tiki hut with a beer in his hand, involved in a conversation with Harvey. As usual, baseball was the topic of the conversation.

Hey there, welcome home, said Meghan, walking over and kissing her husband’s cheek. She wound her arms around his neck.

Where have you been?

Plane was late, he answered her, not quite meeting her eyes.

Oh, well, you’re here now. Welcome home, honey.

Yeah, thanks, he said, dismissing her.

She stood for a moment, just looking at him. Usually when he arrived home after being gone for so long, he couldn’t keep his hands off her. Now he was barely looking at her.

Hey, Mom, the dancers have arrived. You have to tell them where to set up their stuff, said Thomas, walking over to where his mother stood.

Of course, I’ll be right back, Rex, she muttered, walking away. She turned and watched as he hugged his son to him.

The Polynesian dancers were a hit. The crowd clapped loudly as the dancers swayed their hips to the timely beat of the drums. They oooh’d and ah’d as the male dancers twirled torches lit with fire as they danced. The heavy beat of the drums filled the night air. Meghan watched as Thomas stood and clapped and cheered. All of the hard work she’d done had been worth it just to see the smile on his handsome face. She looked at her baby boy, now fully grown. A sadness mixed with pride filled her very soul.

Amber rushed over to her. Come on! They want some of us to get up on the stage and they’ll show us some moves. Grab Rex and let’s go! I already grabbed Harvey.

Meghan looked over to where Harvey stood. One of the female dancers, dressed in a grass skirt, was showing him how to shake his hips. The crowd roared as he tried to mimic her moves.

I’ll be right there. Let me find Rex.

She walked through the throng of people. Rex was nowhere to be found. Giving up on looking for him, she joined her friend up on stage. A laugh escaped her lips as one of the male dancers circled around her, shaking his hips. She raised her arms above her head and shimmied toward him.

She was still laughing when she walked down from the stage. She stopped along the way as her guests thanked her for the wonderful party.

Leave it to our little Meghan to put us all to shame. Why, I never would have thought of any of this for my Melanie’s party. I just wish I had your imagination, said Evelyn Rodgers, her neighbor from across the street.

Really, it was nothing, Evelyn, answered Meghan. Just some lights, flowers and grass.

The night really had been perfect. A full moon had risen in the night sky, adding to the beauty of it all.

The dance troupe had taken their leave. A disc jockey stood on the empty stage and started to spin his records. The middle of the yard turned into a makeshift dance floor. Couples filled the area as a current hit played. Meghan went in search of her errant husband.

She found him in the kitchen, smoking a cigarette and talking on the phone. When she walked through the screen door, he quickly hung up the phone.

Hey, stranger, anybody tell you there’s a party going on outside? she teased him.

He didn’t answer her; he just looked away.

Rex is there a problem? she asked him, her voice full of concern.

No. Why?

Well, you were on the phone… Meghan answered him, her voice trailing off. His warm brown eyes had suddenly turned cold.

It was business, he answered her gruffly.

Meghan just stared at him for a moment. They had a whole yard full of guests and this idiot was acting like a jackass. Rather than argue with him, she turned and walked out of the house. She spent the rest of the evening smiling and nodding at her guests.

It was well after one in the morning when the last guests had taken their leave. Her two sons had deserted her, taking off with their friends to stay at a friend’s lakeside home for the Memorial Day weekend. They would have three days of skiing and fishing. They’d stood in the kitchen with their bags and fishing poles in hand.

Best party ever, Mom, Thomas told her, giving her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.

I’m glad you liked it, honey, she answered, returning his kiss. You deserved it. Have I ever told you boys how proud I am of you? I’m the luckiest mom in the world to have two such handsome, good, boys. She smiled warmly at her sons.

You boys have a great time, but be careful, she warned.

She looked at the two as they stood side by side. They both looked so much like their dad, but, Riley had inherited her love of reading. His first word when he was a baby wasn’t Mom; it was why, they often joked.

With her hands full of dirty dishes, she walked through the kitchen door and started loading the dishwasher. The last thing she wanted to do was wake up to a kitchen full of dirty dishes. As tired as she was, she could sleep for a week, she thought to herself, yawning after the last dish had been loaded. She pushed the start button and the machine whirred into action, doing its magical work.

Walking from room to room, she turned off the lights and headed for her bedroom.

Chapter 2

Rex sat on the edge of their bed, still fully dressed. Meghan walked to her dresser and pulled out a pair of pink sleep shorts and a white tee top. She started to pull the flowered sarong dress she wore over her head.

She stopped pulling the dress off when she heard her husband’s voice say, Meghan, we have to talk.

He sat in the darkened shadows of the room. Funny, she hadn’t seen him move to the cream-colored chair in the corner.

Honey, can’t it wait until morning? I am dead on my feet, she said, looking over at him.

No, it can’t wait! he snarled at her.

She put her hands down at her sides and stared at him. Fear ripped through her stomach. He had never spoken like that to her in all of their years of marriage.

Honey, is it your job? What? Tell me, honey! Her voice shook with fear as she pleaded with him to tell her what was wrong.

No, it’s not my frigging job, he answered her, mimicking her voice.

Anger coursed through her. How dare he mimic her? She was just trying to find out what was wrong.

Okay, she said tersely. If it’s not your job, what is it?

It’s you. It’s us, he said, getting up from his chair and storming around the room.

Meghan felt her knees give way and plopped down on the side of the bed.

What? What in the hell are you talking about? You haven’t been home in over six weeks. How could it be me? she asked, staring at him, her eyes full of hurt and disbelief.

For the first time, she noticed he carried a drink in his hand.

It’s all of this, he said, gesturing with his hand. The ice in his glass clinked together.

I’m sick of being married to you! I want out!

Shock at his words coursed through her body. She’d heard what he said, but she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. They had always been the couple other couples admired.

What? What did you say? she whispered with a stricken look on her face.

"I said I