Defining Moments Read Free

weeks later, I was attending culinary school three days a week and waitressing full-time in the evenings.
    I have to say I love waitressing. I love being able to interact with people, and it doesn’t hurt that I love the food at the restaurant I’m working at. Culinary school is going well and, although it’s just a certificate program at this point, it will get my foot in the door to working as a line or sous chef in a restaurant. My best guess is I’ll be able to finish up within the next few months or so. I’m excited to start my new career and be able to move forward with my life. It feels good knowing I’ll be able to take care of myself soon, with no more help from Justin. As much as I hope he’ll come home for good, I know I don’t ever want to depend on his income as my stability.
    Just as I’m finishing up the breakfast dishes, my phone chimes.
     
    Justin: Are you home? Need to talk to you.
    Me: Yep. Come on over.
    Justin: Be there in 5.
     
    I run upstairs quickly to throw my hair up in a bun since I haven’t showered yet. I pull on some jeans and a t-shirt and brush my teeth. Butterflies erupt in my stomach when the doorbell rings. Maybe this is it. Maybe he’s decided to come home and he wants to talk about it. I try to squash the hope I’m feeling as I make my way down the stairs, but I can feel my heart lighten a little. Yeah, totally pathetic.
    I hear him talking on the other side of the door and I chuckle to myself that he still talks to himself when he’s nervous. The smile falls from my face the moment my eyes connect with the person on the other side.
    Here, on my front porch, is a beautiful young woman with a small baby bump and her arm wrapped around my husband’s waist. I look from her, to him, and back to her before it registers what I’m seeing. Justin’s face is emotionless, staring at me as though he’s frozen.
    “Hi, you must be Ell,” says the teeny-bopper with an annoyingly high-pitched voice. I can’t help but size her up. She’s irritatingly beautiful; long, straight black hair, bright green eyes, about my height but super slender and muscular. Even with the baby bump she’s breathtaking. The bitch.
    I choke on my own saliva when I try to swallow, and start coughing hysterically. Justin reaches toward me to pat my back and she grabs his arm, pulling back on him.
    “Are you okay, Ell?” he asks quickly.
    I continue to cough longer than necessary, trying to wrap my mind around this wreck that’s happening in front of me. Justin does not look happy.
    After I get myself under control, I turn to her. “My name is Ellie, not Ell. And you are?” I ask without taking the hand she’s offering.
    “I’m Julia, of course,” she replies like I should know who she is, before continuing, “Ya know, Justin’s girlfriend.”
    I look from her to Justin, who still looks upset, and then back to her. The fact that Justin is not saying anything is pissing me off.
    “Well, Julia, why are you on my front porch with your arm around my husband?” I bite out. She starts to answer but Justin pulls her into his side to stop her.
    “Ell, we need to talk to you,” Justin jumps in. The sheer fact that he is so uncomfortable is the only thing that is making me not lose my shit right now. I’m loving that this is bothering him so much. Selfish bastard.
    “I don’t think there is much to talk about, do you, Justin?” I smirk. “It’s obvious what’s going on here. You’ve shacked up with Teen Barbie Baby Mama over here and you’ve come to tell me you want a divorce.” I shake my head and laugh humorlessly. Julia huffs at my assessment and starts to reply, but Justin grabs her wrist and shakes his head to stop her.
    “Please, Ell, I need to explain,” he starts but I just shake my head and chuckle. Digging my fingers into my palms, I need the pain to keep me pissed and stop the emotional breakdown I know is lurking just under the surface.
    “Nah, I’m good. I don’t need a sex ed