For you, I hope the grass is greener

Chapter 17 Explain Things

Daphne's POV

I hop out of his place as he holds the door open for me. I keep a little hop in my step, not wanting to put too much pressure on my foot, I really don't want to make the injury worse than it needs to be. So, as I hop lightly, while crossing the little walkway about ready to meet the kids right at the front door.

Both of my kids are just talking with one another until they look up and notice me. They looked shocked at the fact that I'm coming out of his place, looking distraught and hurt with wrapping on my foot and a crutch under my arm. So glares are being sent over my shoulders and straight at our neighbor.. the one person who doesn't deserve those looks.

"Nope.. Andy.. Lee.. please don't look at him like that.. I will explain everything once we get inside and have a seat, but all he has done is help me out more than he probably ever should have." I declare in his defense as they nod but suspiciously look back and forth between all four of us. I look back and send him a small smile as we wave back and forth between the two of us. I let out a deep breath before walking into my place in front of my kids, who are holding the door for me.

We walk in, and I don't stop heading straight for the couch, but as I sit down, the overwhelming scents of my husband's cologne fill my senses since he was sleeping on here last night. I get mad at the scent as I huff out and get up just to sit on the wooden coffee table in front of it. The kids are rightfully confused and keep looking back and forth between each other. before my son is the one to speak up since I can't figure out how to start this. "How did you hurt your leg, mom?"

I let out a deep breath to try to calm my nerves before I start this incredibily hard conversation. When I finally feel the air coming back into my lungs, I make sure to look up at the kids as I reply. "Your father was holding my arms, and I wanted to get away from him... So I ripped them out of his grip, but that threw my body at the wrong angle, apparently, because my ankle twisted.. but it's not broken, so that a plus.. the neighbor is a nurse and reassurred me that it's probably not broken. This crutch and wrap are his, and he did all of this for me just to help me out in a hard situation."

They nod at my comment before my daughter is the next to ask. "Why were you trying to get away from dad?" I let out a deep breath as I feel my eyes watering up at that question alone. "Your father did something that is unforgivable in my eyes, and I just needed to get away." I squeak this out as the tears start to fall. "Did he hit you?" My son blurts out, but I instantly shake my head. "Does he have gambling problems, and that's what he is really doing on his business trips?" My daughter takes a guess as I shake my head in response. I know I should just tell them outright, but it's hard to do that when you can't seem to find the words.

"Did he cheat on you?" they both ask at the same time, sounding completely in sync as if they rehursed this inquiry. I freeze in shock and not give them an answer at all. My mouth automatically starts opening and shutting with no sounds coming out from being caught off guard.. they noticed this response and easily figured out what had happened. So my son instantly jumps up to his feet with a wild look in his eyes as if he is on a mission.. he storms through the house, checking each room for his father, I would assume... but he shouldn't be here.. So I wait in anticipation for him to come back... I can hear the stomping of his feet to the wooden floor before he ends up right back in here, looking completely livid at this point.

"Ok.. So.. Andy... Lee... I came home early from work.. and I.. I... found your father.. with another woman.. in our room." I explain as best as I can through the heartbreak and tears, so it's just stuttering out of my lips. "How do you know it wasn't a friend, family, or business?" Marley asks, trying to stay positive and not throw her daddy into the scum bag category, which I appreciate. "They were naked." I answer her as the tears pour thinking about that sight once again. Marley gasps as she covers her mouth, and Andrew turns, punching a hole in the wall beside him. He is breathing hard as he yells out in pain or anger, maybe both.

"Andy! I'm sorry!" I yell out at him in shock, but he looks even more shocked than I am. "Why would you be sorry?!" He yells back as I shake my head and still cry. "I wasn't a good enough wife for him to stay.. I don't know what I did wrong, but he wouldn't have strayed if it wasn't for me.. I'm so sorry." I declare breaking down once again as I lean over and cry into my hands.

I instantly feel arms around me as my kids hug me together. "It's not your fault, Mom.. it's not.. he made his choice on his own, and he knew it was wrong.. now he has made his bed, and he is going to lie in it." My son declares as I lean into them crying. "I hurt so much." I tell them as their grip tightens, making it feel as if they are lifting a weight from my shoulders because of their continued love for me, in this hard time for us all, but I know I can get through it with them at my side.

"It's going to be ok." Marley softly says as Andrew hums in agreement. "You know what we could do? We can have a fun night of making popcorn and movies just you have always liked." Marley declares as I nod but still crying out. "But guys.. That's not all that I need to tell you."

They both stiffen and freeze up but not talking, trying to give me a chance to talk. "My... mother.. your grandma.. didn't make it, " I state as I shake and cry even more. The silence is thickening, feeling heavier than I had imagined it would until all 3 of us are crying while still holding onto one another as if we have to be each other's strength.. these are some devastating blows to our family and all at the same time.. I wish I could ease the pain for them, but I don't know how to do it.

It seems to be a long time of us holding one another before we finally separated. My eyes show so much heartbreak that their's reflect. The kids kissed my head and gave me another hug before Marley states. "Do we have to stay with him? Dad, I mean." I shake my head at them.

"I want you to still have time with your father, but if you don't want that, then I won't ever make you.. But your father has always loved you two unconditionally, and that won't stop just because we're not going to be together." I try to explain this as best as I can, without breaking down at those words.. This is the hardest conversation I have ever had.

"Are you going to try to make things work with dad?" Andy asks me as I reluctantly shake my head. "I can't. It hurt me way too much to see what I saw today.. he broke my heart and left a hole that can never be filled even by him.. I'm sorry if that disapponts you two.. but I will always put my sanity before anything else. I'm truly sorry about that, but I won't ever be with him again after this betrayal." I declare cautiously because I don't want to break any idea of hope that we might be getting back together.. but I don't want to give them any false hope that we would, either. They need to know what this means for now on.

"I would have been mad with you if you had tried to make up with him after that." My son spats as my daughter nods, vigorously agreeing with him. "I don't know if I'm going to want to see him after this." Marley declares outloud as Andy agrees with her on that statement. I nod in understanding because I'm sure they are furious with him as well, and they deserve to be.

"So.. when can we see Grandpa?" Andrew asks me as I suck in a sharp breath. "Grandma.. will be sent back home, and when Grandpa follows her back to the States.. he will come here.. he says he doesn't want me to be alone, nor does he want to be alone.. and he knows he is always welcome here for as long as he needs." I declare as Marley asks. "So, did you tell him about dad?"

I nod as she nods, too. "Good. I didn't want to have that awkward conversation, but I want you to know that I would have, just to help ease your pain." I nod in appreciation before she adds, "So when in all this did you hurt yourself? I'm still not putting the pieces together." She states, staring at me intently.

"I came home.. found your father and another woman... naked together.. I stormed out, but he kept grabbing my arm, trying to force me to give him a chance to explain.. but I didn't want to hear it.. and after multiple times of him grabbing me from the front door.. I threw myself out of his grip but with too much force because I fell back.. but was caught by the neighbor, and it helped, even though the both of us still fell down. He helped me up and into his place and gave me food while wrapping my foot.. that's when Grandpa talked with me and told me everything.. and then you guys came home."

"So where did dad go?" Andrew asks as I shake my head. "I don't know, but honestly, I don't care right now.. I will have to talk to him about this, but not right now." I state as Andrew huffs out. "I need to take a shower. I'm sweaty from practice, and then I can start our night." I try to conjure a small smile as I watch him walk out of the room with Marley standing up as well.

"I need to put all my stuff away, and then I will be right back." I do the same sending her that same fixed fake smile before I take myself to the wall adjoining our homes as I state loudly. "You were right about my kids." I turn to hobble back to a new seat as I hear in a muffled tone. "I knew it." I smile to myself as I get to the chair off to the side that hardly anyone uses.. it's mostly there for show, but today it's going to be used so I can prop my leg up and sit back without having my husband's scent on me. Let's get this night underway, I need something to help me forget all of this.. even if it's just for a moment.