I could tell something had been bothering Jack for a few days, but he kept brushing me off and shutting me out.
What I didn't know was that he was going to leave me. It was a typical Monday morning and I had woken up early to find my husband's body missing from the bed. I didn't really think anything of it at first. Sometimes if he's up early, he goes to sit outside and drink coffee and read his mail.
But after searching the entire house, Jack wasn't anywhere to be found. I started feeling panicked. Where could he have gone??
Winnie came down the stairs, looking at me with concern, "Did you find him?"
I shook my head and sank down into the sofa, "No."
Winnie sat beside me and patted my hand, "I'm sure he's going to show up soon."
"But why would he leave?" I hated the sound of my own voice breaking.
Winnie wrapped her arms around me, but it didn't bring any comfort, "I don't know, but I do know that Jack will come back for you."
"I really hope so." I said.
But weeks passed without a single word from my husband. And then a month came and went, and the flowers were in full bloom and summer was coming upon us quickly.
For about a week, I was completely sick each morning and my mom always found me throwing up in the wash basin.
"It's just because I'm worried about Jack." I explained to her one morning as I was bent over the wash basin again.
She brushed my hair out of my face tenderly, "But it seems so odd for you to always be sick like this. Etta, have you begun your cycle yet this month?"
I held my breath at her question, "No, I haven't—"
"Etta I think you might just be pregnant." My mom smiled. She clasped her hands together. "This is wonderful! I've been waiting to finally see some grandchildren running around."
I grasped her hands to stop her rambling, "I don't want to have the baby without Jack."
"I'm sure he'll be back by then." She said.
I grasped the roots of my hair in frustration, "Mother, he hasn't written in a month and I have no clue where he is and if I really am pregnant...." a sob broke through my voice.
"Shhh." My mom pulled me to her chest. "Etta, I've taught you to be stronger than this, haven't I? Even if Jack isn't here...the rest of us will be here for you. I promise."
"I just wish he would write and tell me where he was." I sobbed.
"And he will." Mother replied.
Little did I know, he wouldn't write to me for the next four months.
A/N
I know that I've been really terrible about updating recently. I'll try to make up for it by writing an extra chapter this week. Maybe a Christmas special??
Anyways, any ideas on why Jack is suddenly gone? And what's the deal with that mysterious note in the previous chapter? Obviously it all connects, I promise ;)
As Always
Stay Awesome Possums
Rosanna 🌺🌸🌵