My Only One

Chapter 3

My kids keep saying that they have good days at school, so I hope that they aren't lying to me. I got into my car and drove off to the school, getting out to see Jack at the door. I ran towards him and smiled.

"Hey, baby," I said, trying to get a kiss.

"Hi," he said plainly, touching my cheek with his as we walked in the door. That was weird. Whatever.

"I'll go to Xavier's teacher, and you can take Jess?" I asked, grabbing Xavier's hand.

"Sure, see you soon," he said as he walked away.

Whatever was up his ass, he needed to pull it out, because I wasn't having this. There was no reason he needed to be acting this way.

After meeting his teacher and talking to her, I found out that things were going well. He was always good in class, listening and helping out whenever he could. That was the little boy I raised. I was proud of him and to see his progress with his learning going well.

We had left and met up with Jack. "I'll meet you at home?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said, taking the kids and driving off.

Maybe he's just having a day. I know how those are, but usually I have my own reasons for it. Oh well. I drove home and pulled in behind Jack and walked in. The kids were eating a quick chicken finger and fries dinner as I tried to get another kiss from Jack. Once again, it was rejected. Okay. This was something else than a bad day. I don't know what the hell was going on, but I'm sure he had his reasons.

After the kids went to bed, Jack and I climbed in together and he turned his back. No cuddling or good night. Just silence.

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The next day at work, just as I finished paychecks, Rose came barreling at me through the front door. "Emily! You... Need... All... Plan..." She said between breaths.

"Okay, let me take my lunch and we will talk." She nodded and quickly left to her room. I took cleaned up my area as her scattered words ran through my head. What did she find out?

I walked back into her room, knocking as I was already in the door. "Shut it," she said calmly.

Sitting down next to her I looked as she shook her head. "She came in yesterday, crying to Amy. I didn't hear much, but I stood outside the door as I heard her pity party. I recorded it on my phone as much as I could. Here," she said as she hit play on her phone.

"...Can't do it. I need to take the rest of the week off. I just... I found out that Alex cheated on me," she said through cries.

"That's... I'm so sorry," Amy had said in a caring voice. "You can take off all the time you need."

"I just... I thought she was my friend. She slept with her husband's best friend. Before her wedding. How... she isn't messing up her own life, but three others as well," sobbing was heard again.

"How did you find out?"

"There was pictures... all over the internet. In my house... a party... I can't believe it..."

"No... it's okay. We will find a way to help you heal. I will be here for you when you need it. I'll give you a paid vacation. Take all the time you need."

The recording stopped as my jaw was on the floor. I couldn't believe what she did. And I let her watch my kids? I was ready to draw blood. "That's not right," I said. "I told her after it happened..." I paused and shook my head. I should have known. The way she was so calm when I told her what had happened. How stupid could I have been? And to believe Sarah, saying she was calling it truce between us. She only wanted to trash my relationship with Jack. I was dumbfounded.

"I'm really sorry, Emily. If there's anything that I can do..."

"No. I thank you. Now I don't want to go home, because if it's out there, then Jack knows. Might have been why he was so distant last night. I just can't believe..."

Rose gave me a hug as she rubbed my back. "I'm always here for you, okay? Don't let something silly like that bring you down. From what I heard from you, Jack is an understanding person. I'm sure you guys will get through this. I know you will."

I nodded and smiled. I didn't believe it. I knew I was about to get the third degree when I got home.

The rest of the day drug on. I didn't want to go home. I just wanted to curl up into a ball and die. But the end of the day did come and I was scared to death of what was going to happen.

I drove to the kid's school to pick them up, but their teachers told me that they had already been picked up by Jack. That was not a good sign.

When I reached the house, I opened the door to hear a quiet house. "Hello?" I asked.

"I'm in the kitchen," Jack said.

"Where are the kids?" I slowly sat down in front of him as Jack looked down. He wouldn't even look me in the eyes.

"They're with Tay and Zack. We need to talk..." he said as he fiddled with papers in his hands.