Page 71 of Once Bitten

Chapter Twenty Eight

“Heather!” I ran to her as she got up from the table and held her arms out to me. “Did you just get in?”

“Hell yeah, I wanted to see you as soon as possible!”

“Sit down, sit down. You ordered?”

“Yup, and for you too.”

“Oh, thanks babe, what’d you order?”

“A lot.” She answered, her eyes twinkling with delight.

I pulled a face at her then burst into laughter. It was good to have her back in my life.

“How long are you in the States for?

“Not long, babe, it’s pretty busy at the hotel right now, but I thought Blake could hang out with his Grandma for vacation, and I wanted to come see you, of course.”

I reached over and squeezed her arm. Thank the lucky stars or whoever it was that brought her into my life.

“And, ugh, I’m glad you’re here for me to talk to this about.” Her face fell a little, seemingly burdened by something.

“Oh, I’m here. What’s going on?

“Blake is starting to ask a lot about his Dad, and I don’t know what to do.”

I didn’t know how to answer either, considering I didn’t know anything about what had happened, only that I was 99% sure the father was Eric. I just nodded and let her continue.

“How do I tell him, his Dad has no idea he even exists?”

“Um…” I started, then someone coming through the door caught my eye. “Oh.”

“Hi, Kara.” Madeleine smiled kindly at me as she approached the table. “Hey, Heath.” She sat down into the empty chair.

I noticed Heather didn’t seem surprised to see her.

“Hello Madeleine.” I greeted her stiffly, how does one address their ex-lover’s secret wife? “Heather?” I turned to her, wanting to know what part she had in this.

“Madeleine asked to come today.” Heather answered. “Just, just maybe listen to what she has to say, ok?”

Had it been anyone else asking, I would’ve walked then and there. But somehow I felt that if anyone might have something I wanted to hear about Finn, it was the person he was married to.

“I didn’t want to ambush you, Kara. I just felt, this was the only way. I, um, I know that Finn had tried to contact you too, but couldn’t” The reminder that she was with him and I wasn’t burned like a hot coal searing against my heart.

“I have something for you.” She reached into her bag and handed me a large yellow envelope.

I hesitated for a moment before reaching for it, and held it warily in my hands.

“Please, open it.” She said.

I pulled on the tab and peeked inside, it was a stack of paperwork. I pulled it out and read the top sheet.

It was an application to file for divorce, from Finn.

I stared at her open mouthed, guilt ridden.

“I’m so sorry, Madeleine…but please believe me, when I tell you, I didn’t know.”