Defining Moments Read Free Page A

course. In case you forgot, we have three children, I know how it happens,” I say to him, turning my body toward Julia. “So how far along are you?”
    “Five months. We just found out we’re having a little girl,” she says while rubbing her belly and smiling up at Justin, who looks horrified that she just told me that. My heart hurts so bad in this moment, I wonder if I’m actually having a heart attack. I reach my hand up and rub the painful spot, trying to soothe the pain. Justin has always wanted a little girl. He even tried to talk me into trying for another baby when Destry was about ten. “And I’m twenty-five years old, by the way. I’m not a teenager.”
    I snort, completely unashamed of the sound. “Oh, that’s much better.”
    “I wanted to tell you sooner, but we were just getting back to speaking terms and I didn’t want to ruin that. We are in a good place, Ell, and I don’t want that to change,” Justin says quickly, pulling his arm from Julia’s grasp, although she’s trying like hell to hold on. “Can we just come in so I can talk to you about this?”
    “Jesus, Justin. Can you for one second think of someone other than yourself? Once again, your concern is how all of this shitshow affects your life,” I scoff. The tears are going to start soon and I know I need to get them out of here. “Have your attorney send me the papers. I’ll sign them. All I ask is that you keep paying the mortgage until Destry leaves in a few months for college, and then you can do whatever you want with it. The twins can put in to live on campus next semester or they can get their own apartment.”
    I shake my head in annoyance when he stands there, mouth open like he’s surprised I’m not melting down. I did that six months ago. I sure as shit ain’t doing it again, at least not in front of him. Fuck him.
    “We don’t have to do anything with the house. I’ll give it to you,” he says and Julia squeaks.
    “Justin, you said you’d buy us a house. You can’t do that if you’re giving her this beautiful house,” Julia screeches, and it’s then that I see her game. She wants my house.
    “We’ll talk about that later Jules,” he murmurs under his breath.
    “I’ll tell you what, Destry will be leaving for college in June. That’s three months away. When he leaves, I’ll move out. The twins will have to stay until they can get into the dorms or an apartment in the fall. Then you can do whatever you want with the house,” I snarl and start to slam the door, but Justin stops it with his hand.
    “No, Ell. This is your house. Our boys grew up in this house,” he barks, looking both heartbroken and pissed that I would give it up so easily.
    “Yeah, well, as much as I once loved this house, it doesn’t hold the happiness it once did. Plus, it’s time for me to move on with my life too,” I retort, watching Julia’s face light up. It is a beautiful house. I love this house. Justin’s face is ashen and he looks like he’s going to cry. I almost feel sorry for him, but then I remember he got himself into this.
    “Just send me the divorce paperwork, Justin. I’ll sign them so we can both move on with our lives. Goodbye,” I say as I shut the door gently. Turning, I slide my body down the door and hit the ground with a thud. I hear their footsteps leaving the porch, and when I hear a car start and pull away, I let go of the scream that’s been working its way up my throat.
    I peel myself off the floor and make my way upstairs. I just want to climb into bed and pull the covers over my head forever. The moment I walk into our room, I know I can’t sleep in that bed anymore. It was our bed. I’d actually believed in my heart, up until today, that he would come back. That he’d get whatever he needed to out of his system, and then he’d come back to me.
    I pull the comforter off the bed, lay it on the ground, and then wrap myself up like a cocoon.
    And I cry.
    And cry.
    And cry.
    My marriage