Thirty-Eight Divorces, One Betrayal

rns on my chest and neck slowly began

to visit,

for my check-ups, to help t

e crying, or screaming, or threatening to ju

my own phone

from

special chicken soup. He

of a steaming

her

night. He held my han

sleeping in a chair by her

date tonight to make

home because

bness. A picture. Ilene, her face tilted up, pressi

Her hand sliding

ned to stone, felt a sharp, crush

just deleted the m

d the paperwork myself. I took a cab

n the doorstep. Ethan was next to her,

than said before I could speak.

de. "This is Ethan's house, which mean

firm for once. "Ilene, no. This is my

sound. "If you don't let me in, I'll r

helpless

g by the gate. His eye

You'r

rmur. "She's just going to stay for a few days

lene, who was now glar

y voice was calm, de

ka

ocked. "You...

r smile touching my lips

e anymore. I was just a tempor

and marched into the h

he declared, wrinkling her nose.

"This couch is hideous, get rid of it

rtrait hanging in the living room. It was a

sharp finger, "is the ugliest o

oked uncerta

then gave a slight, defea

t. I had expecte

chest. I turned without a word

d make it easy for them. I wou

fill it with my things. Clothes, book

ragging the suitcase, the liv

iling face torn. My books were pulled from the shelves and thrown in a

lly built, so lovingly m

moment, just looki

e of it all, a smug, vic

ring around the room, "and you

. I was done

me, blocking my way. "Wher

e. She saw the dusty set of oil paints

you trying to show off how talented y

lence a wall she couldn't b

o move ar

rted with rage

and swung it at my head. I stumbled back, dodging the

d, off balanc

ds on my chest a

t the top of the

she screamed, her voic

. Then a sharp, violent impact as

a heap at the bottom, my head hitting

rm blood matting my ha

d, a series of v

ion bl

t was Ethan, running through the front d