Reclaiming My Life

wn. It was a beautiful Saturday, the kind of day that made you appreciate living in rural Vermont. The kind of day I usuall

a big backyard. As I got my medical bag, I heard a child' s lau

en I s

deep undercover. Instead, she was here, in our town, laughing. A man I didn't recognize,

couldn't hold

at her. "Mommy, when can we stop pretending with

sica said, her voice s

mm

, right there in the warm afternoon sun. I backed away slowly, my heart pound

in about the call.

, a neat stack. I picked one up. It was full of lies about the dangers she was faci

ire pit, and lit a match. I watched the lies burn, the paper turning to

e walked through

itcase. "Surprise! I got a few days leave. My fligh

nything. I jus

"Liam? What's wro

esterday?" I aske

y. "What do you mean? I w

the other side of town.

oment, then her expression changed. She tried to l

lled you Mo

'm helping Mark. He's the brother of my old partner, the one who

louder. "Is he your partner's son, t

ing. "We were both lonely. It was a one-time

arsh, ugly sound. "Jessica,

knees right there on the floor. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Liam. I was just trying to fulfi

g to turn her affair into some kind of noble sacrifice.