Big Girls Don't Cry by Brenda Novak

Author:Brenda Novak
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Publisher: MIRA
Published: 2005-06-27T16:00:00+00:00

My question first.

So he wanted to trade. Fine. It was no secret that Keith wasn’t living at home. We’re not together.

Is it over, then?

She thought of the divorce papers, which were probably already in the mail; she also thought of her promise to try counseling. Maybe.

Fortunately, he didn’t press her for a more definitive answer, because she couldn’t give him one.

Your turn, she prompted.

He hasn’t called Liz.

At all?

Not once.

Then…I’m confused. What’s up?

Nothing. I’ve gotta go—dead tired. See you around, he said, and signed off.

Reenie frowned at the log box that contained the last of their conversation. “See you around” as in “take it easy”? Or “see you around” as in “see you someday soon”?

* * *

A LIGHT LAYER OF SNOW had fallen during the night. When Reenie drove the kids to school, the roads were slushy, the fields covered with a thin, white veil. She huddled into her thick sweatshirt while waiting for the heater to warm the chilly van.

“Can we build a snowman when I get home today, Mommy?” Isabella asked.

Reenie glanced back to see her youngest daughter’s nose pressed to the window, her breath fogging the glass. “If the sun doesn’t come out and melt all the snow, babe.”

“What if Daddy wants to help us?” Angela asked, turning away from her own window.

“What if?” Reenie replied, trying to sidestep the challenge in her daughter’s voice.

“Will you go inside so you don’t have to see him?”

Reenie could feel the interest of all three girls. But she wasn’t sure what to tell them. She didn’t really want to be around Keith, but maybe counseling would change that. “We’ll see,” she said.

“You’re not mad at him anymore?” Isabella asked.

“I didn’t say that. It’s more…” Reenie hesitated, picking and choosing her words with care. “I’m trying to get over Daddy’s…mistake.”

“Mommy, what did Daddy do?” Angela asked.

“I’ll explain when you’re older. You’ll understand it better then.”

“If he broke something, can’t he buy you a new one?”

“I wish he could, sweetheart.”

Jennifer piped up. “Whatever he did, you’re trying to forgive him because of us, right?”

Reenie laughed. “How are you old enough to figure that one out?”

“I heard you on the phone with Grandma O’Connell,” she admitted.

“Oh. Well, your daddy and I both love you and are trying to work things out so we can all be together.”

“Grandma called back after you went to the store,” Angela said.

“She did?” Reenie slowed as she came to the line of cars waiting to turn in at the school. “Why didn’t you tell me when I got home?”

“She wasn’t calling to talk to you.”

“She wanted to talk to us,” Jennifer supplied.

“What’d she say?” Reenie asked.

“Not to worry. She’s going to get you and Daddy some help so that Daddy will be able to come back soon.”

Reenie ground her teeth. She knew her mother-in-law meant well, but it was difficult not to resent the interference.

“Is he coming home tonight?” Isabella asked.

“It’s a possibility that he could come in a few weeks,” she admitted. “But even if he doesn’t, you’ll

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