Shady Acres

Most Exshausting Day

A few weeks have passed since I started receiving text from an 'unknown' person, though I'm pretty sure it's from my ex-husband Shawn. I've tried to ignore him even though I know he is still in town. I've seen Liam in passing over those couple weeks, and we text almost every day, but that's about it.

Cat is now 35 weeks. Her and Pal are at her doctor's appointment, and depending on how it goes will depend on how soon the baby is born. They are having a girl even though they haven't announced it yet. They are naming her Adeline Sky. The Sky part is after me, Karyssa Sky. I felt honored when they told me.

Some days, my heart is so full when I'm around my cousin Pals family, and then other days, I get so jealous watching them, knowing I may never have that.

Kolton and I are currently in the pool that is just off to the side of the porch. It took almost a full week after the 4th party to get the pool water from brown to clear. Pal thought he was going to have to drain it.

I've been helping out a lot with Kolton over these last few weeks since Cat has been helping down at the community center. The event coordinator quit a few days after the 4th.

"There you 2 water bugs are," I hear Pal shout behind me. I went over to the edge of the pool where the deck was to turn down the music

"Hey, how'd the appointment go?" I asked as Pal walked closer to the pool.

"Well, baby girl is doing great. However, Cat is on bed rest until she gives birth. She started having contractions when we got to the doctors office." He sighed.

"OH goodness." I gasped.

"Yeah, I got her set up in the bedroom she's resting right now, but she said she needs to talk to you about something if you had a few minutes. I am going to go change. I could use some one on one time with Kolton if you don't care." That was my cue to leave.

"Yeah, go change, and when you come back out, I'll head in and give you some guy time." I gave him a reassuring smile. About 10 minutes later, Pal came walking back out. I went to the apartment, took a quick shower and texted Cat to see if she's ready for whatever she wanted to talk to me about, I didn't want to disturb her if she was napping or not up for company. I immediately received a text back telling me to come in whenever I was ready. So off to Cat I go.

I knocked on the door before entering, I knew she was the only one in there, but manners are still important.

"Hey!" I heard her shout. "Come on in." As I entered the room, I saw magazines, books, snacks laid out on the bed, and a new mini fridge in arms reachon Cats' side of the bed.

"Hey, come sit." She patted the bed bedside her. Oh goodness, this is a serious talk judging by the look on her face.

"Okay." Was all I said. I'm a bit nervous now.

"So, you know I love having you here all day long watching Kolton so I can go and do whatever I need to get done." This isn't a good start. "You also know I just started working at the community center and have been working with the mayor about some fundraising projects for the new community center. And now, since I am on bed rest for the next month and I promised Pal I would not go back to work until after the first of the year, that way I could stay with the baby." She is very hesitant on whatever she wants to ask me."and I know you have a lot on your plate with Shawn not signing the divorce papers and working on your next book, and if you say no, I will completely understand, but..." She took in a deep breath before she continued, " Is there any way you can work at the community center for me at least until after the first of the year? I'll still be head honcho, but I need someone I can trust to do the day to day things and to have the children of this community's best interest at heart." Well that took me completely by surprise, I didn't even get to say anything before she continued pulling out a paper, "it's not much of a pay but this is what the Mayor can offer you." She pointed to the line that said 30,000 a year. "And you can still hang out with Kolton all you want and the majority of the work you can work whenever not every day you would need to be at the center and...."

"Cat." I interrupted her, " I'd be more than happy to help out for a few months." She smiled ear to ear. I knew if I didn't interrupt her, she would still be trying to convince me to take over for her. "Who knows, maybe getting my mind off of my next book will be just what I need to get some inspiration for it." I smiled back at her.

"Omg Kar thank you so much we will start at about 8 tomorrow, you can use my laptop, I have 1 dedicated to just the center, I'll have the mayor email over all the paperwork you need to fill out. And we will go over the back to school fundraiser that is happening next week." She rambled on. I've noticed over the years that if she is excited about something, it's best to let her just ramble on.

A light touch on my arm drew me back out of my thoughts even though I was still listening to her. "Kar, I really do appreciate it and am so happy you are here." She said, drawing me into a hug.

"No other place I'd rather be." I said, hugging her back.

Because today had been somewhat draining for Pal and Cat, I volunteered to handle dinner for the night by handle. I totally mean take out. Cat was craving Slimy Imys pizza, so that's where I'm heading to right now. Nothing like driving with the doors off a jeep wrangler, if I have the option and can't drive my bike, I much rather drive like this, since I'm still able to get some wind therapy. I am currently stopped at a red light when a bunch of bikes caught my eye, there's this girl leaned up against one that I know I've recognized somewhere, it clicked when I saw Liam come out of the bar they are parked in front of and stand in front of the girl, they look like they are having a good conversation. I mean I couldn't expect him to wait forever, to be honest I was hoping he would have asked me out I was giving all kinds of signs, I guess now I know why he hasn't, she's pretty they make a cute couple.

I sighed, turning my head forward, waiting for the light to turn green. I could see the pizza shop from the light. Ah, finally green, I finally pulled in the parking lot and got out to go inside when I heard a motorcycle pull in behind me.

"Siren?" A small ping in my chest. I know it's Liam, but I continue walking inside. As I open the door, I feel someone grip my arm, turning me around. "Hey, I've been hollering your name." He said with a hurt expression, with the girl he was just with at the bar right behind him looking confused.

"OH hey, sorry I didn't hear you; I’ve been caught up in my own thoughts." I said with a fake smile.

"Well, I just wanted to say hi, it's good to see you out." He smiled back. I glanced behind him noticing there was only 1 bike in the parking lot next to my jeep and the other vehicles were there when I parked which means she rode over here on the back of his bike, which means she is special to him.

"Yeah, I'm just grabbing pizza and heading back to Pals. It was good seeing you again. I'll let you get back to your date." I smiled, turning back around, and continued through the door. I paid and grabbed the pizza and got out of there as fast as I could. I can't help but feel a little hurt, but I'm still dealing with Shawn, who won't quit texting me from his number and an unknown number. It's getting quite ridiculous. I made eye contact as I was putting the food in the passenger seat. I would recognize those green eyes anywhere, think of the devil, and he shall appear.

"K, we need to talk, please." He begged.

"No, we don't need to 'talk', what we need is for you to sign the d@mn papers and quit texting me from your unknown number." I said, walking around to the driver's side, hopping in as he came up to the door.

"I haven't been texting you from an unknown number, K. What can I do to show you I made a mistake and want to work this out. Please." He claspped his hands together, begging me some more.

I can not believe he just lied to me. Well, I totally can. I know the unknown texts are from him. They are text that he used to send me before we got married, such as good morning, good night, cheesy pick up lines, poems, words of endearment, places and memories or good times we have had that only a select few would know, and or pictures and comments about what I was wearing. And I know he's the one taking the photos. Every time I see him, I get a photo text. And to top it off, the s3xual comments he's been sending me.

"Nothing, please leave me alone, and please sign the divorce papers." I reversed out of my spot, almost running over his toes, I would have if he had not jumped back. I spotted Liam staring at me as I was backing out. I was finally on the road back to the house when Liams name popped up on the radio screen. I hit ignore. I just want to go home eat and go to bed. I am over the world's most exhausting day. I get back to the house, setting the food down in the kitchen when I hear a ping. I checked my phone to see I have 3 texts from 3 different people.

Shawn- please K, we need to talk.

Liam- I think there has been some misunderstanding. Meet me for coffee tomorrow at 8?

Unknown - a picture of me and Shawn in front of the pizza place. the text says, "I told you I'm not Shawn.