Sun On My Face, Wind in My Hair

Chapter Ten

Josie came back to Chris’s room after she had time to deal with the situation of his paralysis. She talked to the doctor again in the hall, and he assured her that he felt Chris would regain his strength and mobility in time. He recommended that he stay there for another two weeks on their rehab unit. Josie promised to talk to Chris about that.

Josie went over to Chris and apologized to him. “I just was taken by surprise. It was a lot to digest at one time, and I freaked out. I’m sorry, Honey. Will you forgive me?” She asked tearfully.

Chris hugged Josie and told her that he understood, and that they would get through this together. Those were the words she needed to hear. He was accepting her as his wife, and all her dreams were coming true.

Meanwhile, back at home, Penny got the shock of her life. Her bank account sent her an alert that Chris had withdrawn their whole savings account. Her heart was broken. What hope she had in Chris’s innocence was gone. Penny was devastated. Her marriage was over, she realized. Tears flowed unchecked down her cheeks as she lay down on her bed. April was getting the children bathed and ready for bed, so she suffered in silence this time.

In a few minutes, there was a knock on her bedroom door. Penny quickly wiped the tears from her face and put on a smile. The children and April wanted to tell her goodnight.

All three children hopped up on her bed, giving her kisses and hugs. Their sweet little smiling faces took away some of her sadness. Penny decided that they would make it, her and her children and April would survive without him. Holding her babies extra tight, she gained strength from their love.

After the kids got down and took off running to their beds, April hugged Penny and asked if she was alright. Penny nodded and gave her a slight smile.

“We are gonna be okay. Just don’t leave me. I need you more than ever now,” she said. Understanding her meaning, April nodded in agreement, assuring her that she would never leave her and the children.

“You’re like a sister to me. These kids and you are my family. This is my home. I’m not going anywhere,” April promised. “I’m here if you need to talk later,” she offered.

“I’m okay. I’m going to get some sleep so I can go to work in the morning. Thanks, April,” Penny said sincerely.

April prayed that Chris would be found and that he and Penny could discuss their problems and work things out. She just couldn’t imagine Chris would ever be unfaithful to Penny. He was so attentive and loving, and had always seemed so genuinely happy.

Meanwhile, Penny was in her room, going through their pictures on her phone and reading Chris’s messages. She always kept them so she could listen to them when she was lonely. Tears flowed freely and her heart ached for the marriage now shattered.