Continuing with SO WONDERFUL AS WANT Ch. 13, Ex. 7 Likes, comments, shares appreciated. All links to purchase are on my website, joycedebacco She heard his car start, stall, start again. She heard the clunk as it shifted gears, the chugging as it picked up speed. Then she heard only the sound of her own rapid breathing. She stood rooted to the floor, confused by the dull ache in her chest. Then, with his kiss still warm upon her cheek, she went to her room to pack. Her eyes fell upon the family portrait beside their bed. Picking it up, she lightly caressed his smiling face. Then she tucked the photo in her bag, safely cushioned between her periwinkle blue scarf and lacy camisole. Bittersweet reminders of their life together. The sudden crunch of gravel in the yard added an extra beat to her heart. “Dinah, are you ready?” Tyler called through the screen. She cleared her throat. “Yes. Come in.” She knocked on the children’s door. “Emily, Quinn, come here please.” The children, puzzled by Tyler’s presence, asked if they were going to the beach again. Dinah instructed them to get in his car and she’d explain later. She took one last look around—from the freshly papered shelves lined with canned goods and jellies to the chipped porcelain table where she cut out the twins’ first birthday outfits; from the modern bathroom Zach installed for her to the many small, whittled creatures that always needed dusting. Then she closed the door on all of it. * * * Zach pondered Dinah’s behavior on his way to work. He’d been marshaling his strength for months, building and fortifying a wall around himself. She had only to touch him for that wall to come crashing down. Why had she reached out to him last night, wanting his touch, his love? Had she heard his heart breaking? Was last night her way of showing she had feelings for him after all? He gave a sad laugh at that last thought. Dinah had never felt what he felt. He was just handy, like the rag she kept by the kitchen sink on which to wipe her hands. But last night was different. Why? He’d nearly reached the mill when the answer hit him. Last night was different because it was exactly that—the last night. She was making her move today! Jamming on the brakes, he spun his car around. He was almost at the bridge crossing when he saw the fancy touring car coming out of their lane. He pulled the wheel sharply, forcing the big Packard off the road. Then, amidst a cloud of dust, he stormed it. Flinging the rear door open, he yanked his frightened children out. “Emily, Quinn, get in my car!” McGarry leapt out, fuming. “Now see here, Bridger.” Links to all bookstores on my website, joycedebacco Thanks for reading.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Jul 2013 18:27:23 +0000