Bitter Sweet Street by Lena North

Author:Lena North [North, Lena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: FAB Books
Published: 2017-12-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

Rio

Johnny’s graduation went well, but it was an awkward event, in spite of both Stewart and me trying to act as if nothing was wrong. No one mentioned the fact that we had separated or that I was, at least temporarily, living in Colorado, and we cheered and laughed through both the ceremony and the family dinner that followed.

Stewart’s parents seemed completely oblivious to what was going on, and I wondered if he’d even told them. Having to tell his mother that her precious Stewie-boy had been caught bare-assed wouldn’t be enjoyable, so he probably hadn’t said a word. There were a few times when I could see that my own mother was about to bring it up, but Dad managed to stop her each time. I could tell that Annie wanted to say something about it, but she stopped herself, and just asked quietly if I was okay. I smiled calmly and she gave me a quick hug, whispering that we’d talk later. She was such a good sister, clearly trying to make sure nothing disturbed her brother’s big day.

We all left the next day; Our parents went home, Annie back to the east coast, Johnny to Spain, and I went to Colorado. I’d asked Stewart several times if we shouldn’t go for a drive, or find privacy some other way so we could talk but he refused, saying that it would have to wait and that we should spend the time with our children instead. I thought that was considerate of him, although there was a sulking, defiant look in his eyes which I’d never seen before, and didn’t like.

Maddie flew back to Colorado with me, and I was so happy she did. We’d been close since college, and that had continued through her marriage to Andy. We had gone on family vacations together, and for years we’d had the tradition that the first Friday each month, we dropped the kids off with a sitter and went out to dinner, just the four of us.

Then their marriage fell apart, and we tried for a while to go on separate dinners, me with Maddie and Stewart with Andy, but the men had never been close, so they stopped doing it. Maddie and I stuck with it a few months longer, but she was enjoying her newfound freedom and wanted to go to bars and clubs, which I found disturbing to watch because she was clearly there looking for someone to go home with. It wasn’t that I was a prude or that I begrudged her the pleasure. It was just that to me, she was still half of Maddie and Andy, and when I’d finally adjusted to the changed circumstances, we’d grown apart.

“I’m sorry that it’s still a construction site, Maddie,” I said as we drove through the small town. “Louise said the hotel is great, though, and I promise you can stay with me next time you come.”

I’d booked a room for my friend immediately after she

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