It’s done.
“Penelope?”
Considering I hadn’t turned my old cell phone back on since he had urged me to get a new phone, there were only a few options for who it could’ve been.
“Yes, Ben has been served, and the PI is already at the house to keep an eye on him.”
“Good.” Griffin nodded slowly, “how are you feeling?”
“Relieved, mostly.” I admitted.
“And the rest?”
“Nervous about seeing my family.”
Griffin was well aware of how Kyle was going to take the news, and I knew that my parents were going to be heartbroken. Ben hadn’t only betrayed me with his actions; he had betrayed an entire family of people that had been nothing but supportive when his own failed him. The fact that he missed Gram’s funeral to hook up with a woman was going to devastate my mother.
“Should I spare them the details? Would it be wrong to leave out the fact that he chose to stay home and cheat?” I asked.
“Unless you believe your husband is going to quietly sign the divorce papers and let you slip away… the details are going to come out eventually.”
It was a good point. I did not believe that Ben was going to let the marriage end quietly, and I didn’t want my parents to find out I had lied to them.
“You also shouldn’t have to hide your pain or protect anyone from his actions. He made the choices he made and deserves the consequences of them.” Griffin rubbed the back of his neck. “He will try to make himself look like the victim; the truth is your best weapon and defense against the man.”
“You’re right. I just hate to cause them more pain.” I whispered and felt my throat tighten.
“He is causing the pain… you are just the messenger.”
“Great…” I grumbled and wiped a stray tear away.
“I’m sure you have work to do… I’ve kept you from your real life for several days now.” I looked out the window and yawned.
The final night in my marital bed had not been a restful one. I had tossed and turned for most of the night, and when my eyes drifted shut, I was assaulted with images of my husband with other women. I doubted the next few nights would be any better.
Griffin didn’t respond. He simply nodded and returned his focus to his screen.
· · - ·?· - · ·
Griffin had a car waiting for us at the airport in Bismarck since we hadn’t been sure if the morning was going to go smoothly enough to give my brother a time of arrival. My parents lived in Lincoln, which was only a short drive away from the larger city. When we pulled up to my childhood home, I was surprised to find that the driveway had several cars already in it.
“Did you tell them that our plane had landed?” I spun to look at Griffin.
“Of course.” He looked amused, “was it a secret?”
“Of course not, but my dad must’ve left work early… look even his car is here!” I waved a hand at the driveway. “I didn’t need them to pause their lives just because I’m here.”
“Mel, they’re going to want to know why your husband isn’t with you…” Griffin said gently. “How many times do you want to tell the story start to finish?”
That shut me up, and I stared at the house with a rising sense of anxiety.
“I don’t know why I thought this was something I wouldn’t have to tell them about right away…” I admitted.
“Denial?” He offered helpfully with a small smirk.
“Thank you, oh wise one.” I snarked back as my lips twitched into a smile.
“Ready?”
