Sadie
I stared out the window from the fifth floor of the building down at the traffic buzzing by below me. I heard the whistling from the hot water in the coffee pot on the stove in the Staff room, but I ignored it. My mind was full with my own thoughts at the moment.
Kent hadn't been home before 10 at night all week, since Monday. It was Friday afternoon and I was hoping that Kent would be home by at least 8 so we could have a late dinner as a family and fall asleep together. The odds were against me on this one. I knew deep down that Kent was working very hard at his new position at work and I was happy for him, I really was, but at the same time I couldn't help but be angry that he had gotten this promotion. No doubt that the money would help us significantly, but that wasn't worth losing my husband to his job.
I was snapped back to reality when my new co-worker, Jennifer, walked into the room and cleared her throat.
"Are you gonna get that, or let it explode?" She asked with a chuckle while she moved the boiling pot off of the hot burner. I turned back towards the small kitchen in the room and gave Jennifer a small smile.
"Sorry," I muttered, walking over and grabbing the pot's handle to poor some coffee into my mug.
"A lot on your mind today?" Jennifer asked, looking genuinley concerned about me. I had just only met her on Monday and already she was acting like we were best friends.
"You have no idea," I said, laughing slightly so I wouldn't offend her. Jennifer laughed as well and placed her hand on my arm.
"Well if you ever need me, I'll be right down the hall okay?" She said. I nodded and she smiled once more before leaving the room with a muffin from the basket on the counter in her hand.
The day drug by, every minute seeming like an hour to me, before finally it was time to clock out and head to the school to pick up my daughter.
I pulled up to the school about 20 minutes later and walked to Emery's classroom, like I did every day, to pick her up. She was in the same spot every day, playing with whatever toys were around her, but she was always sitting in the corner of the room, right by the large stuffed animal Dog that was taller than her. It must be her favorite place, since she loved dogs.
"Hello Mrs. Agather," Ms. Phillips greeted me. "Emery your mother is here,"
Emery shot up from where she was sitting and ran over to me. I scooped her up in a big hug and held her against my hip.
"I really hope to see you at Parent's night tomorrow," Ms. Phillips said before I had the chance to turn around and walk out of the room.
"Parent's night?" I questioned her. I hadn't heard anything about it.
"Oh yes, it's tomorrow night at 7. Parent's from every grade are welcome to come into their kids' classrooms and the teacher will tell you all about what they have planned for this year and answer any questions you have. We really encourage all parents to come, it just gives them a better understanding on everything, you know?" Ms. Phillips ranted on for a bit about how excited she was about parent's night and how she hoped that I could make it.
"I'm sure Kent and I can make it tomorrow," I said smiling at Ms. Phillips who smiled back, obviously pleased by my response.
"That's great. I can't wait to see you and Mr. Agather here," She said, clasping her hands together. Emery and I both said our goodbyes before heading out of the classroom.
We drove home like every other day, Emery would be babbling on in the back seat about what she had done that day and I would be half listening and half zoning out, completely tuckered out from work.
When we got home Kent's car wasn't in the driveway, which was something I was getting quite used to and something I really didn't like. I wasn't about to make Kent choose between us and his job though.
Emery ran off to her room as soon as we got home to go play with her Barbies and I sat at the island in the kitchen, rummaging through the mail from today. Bills, bills and more bills. That was all that every came in the mail these days. No more birthday cards or letters from anyone, just bills.
I decided to start unpacking more things from the large U-Haul boxes in the corner of the kitchen and I guess time went by faster that way. Before I knew it the clock was reading 9:58 pm, Emery had eaten dinner and was already in bed and Kent was walking through the front door. His hair was in a mess and his tie around his neck hung loose, no longer in the neat and tight bow I had tied just this morning for him.
"Wow you're home early," I muttered under my breath sarcastically while I kept busy stacking our plates into one of the cabinets.
"It's not even ten yet," Kent retorted, grabbing a glass from another cabinet and filling it with water.
"Oh I'm sorry, you're early by two minutes," I said, still being sarcastic and still not looking at Kent.
"Bad day or what?" He muttered, tugging off his suit jacket and tie, flinging them onto the counter and sitting on one of the island stools.
"You wouldn't know because you're never home to talk about it anyway," I was getting angry, although I shouldn't be, because it technically wasn't Kent's fault, but still.
"We're talking now aren't we?" Was Kent's response before he moved over to hug me from behind. "Talk to me beautiful,"
I turned around in his arms and kissed him quickly before resting my head on his chest. "I just miss you, that's all,"
Kent rested his chin on the top of my head and sighed loudly. "I know, I'm sorry but things will start to slow down and I'll be home more often, just give it like two more weeks and we'll be back to normal,"
Now it was my turn to sigh loudly. We didn't say anything for a long time, just stood there in each others arms and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
"Tomorrow night there's a parent's night that we need to go to at 7," I finally said against Kent's chest. I could feel his body tense up as I spoke.
"I don't think I'll be able to make it," Kent whispered. I instantly pushed away from him.
"What do you mean?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. Kent held his hands up in his defense.
"Baby, Richard is holding a board meeting tomorrow that is mandatory for all staff to attend, it starts at 6 and I don't think I'll be out by 7, but I can still try okay?" Kent said reaching for me again and pulling me towards him. I rolled my eyes but let him kiss my cheek anyway.
"I hope you try hard," I mumbled before we both headed into the bedroom to get ready for bed.
I glanced out the window from inside the kindergarten room and saw Emery sliding down the slide on the playground while an adult watched all of the kids run around and play. I turned my attention back towards Ms. Phillips who was talking to all of us parents about the importance of communication between the parents and the teacher. I glanced at the clock that read 7:30. No sign of Kent. No call from Kent. He wasn't coming.
By 8 o'clock Ms. Phillips let us mingle around the room while she answered parents' questions one on one. I was watching Emery play with other kids on the playground with a clear cup in my hand filled with red fruit punch. I was angry. Kent should be here. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I slipped it out, unlocking the screen and reading the text from Kent.
Meeting ran late, I'm so sorry. I'll be there as fast as I can!
I quickly texted him back.
Don't bother, it's already over.
I slipped my phone back into my pocket and returned my gaze to the kids outside.
"It's Sadie right?" I heard a man's voice ask from behind me. I turned to see Justin smiling as he stepped towards me.
"Yeah, you're Justin?" I asked even though I remembered his name perfectly fine.
"Yeah, glad you remembered," He said laughing and looking out the window with me. "So where is your husband tonight? I noticed you're here alone. Wait you are married right? You aren't a widow or single mother? I'm sorry for just assuming if so,"
I laughed but kept my gaze on Emery outside. "No I'm not a widow or single mother, I'm married but my husband . . . well he couldn't uh, make it tonight,"
"Oh, why not? If . . . If you don't mind me asking of course!" Justin said quickly.
"Not at all, he's too busy working, honestly that's all he's been doing lately," There was a pause for a minute or so before Justin finally spoke.
"Sadie," He said making me turn to look at him, wondering what he was going to say next. "If I had a wife as beautiful as you, I would never, ever, put work before you or your gorgeous daughter. Just remember that,"