A Second Chance

Chapter 13 * Jamie

“Hey, I need to talk to you about something.” Jordan said while we were lying in bed one morning.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“You know I have my kids for the summer. I’m actually going to go to Florida for their end of school year moving up ceremonies and Bella’s dance recital and then I’ll bring them here myself. I’ll be there for about 3 or 4 days.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Tuesday.”

“Where are you staying?”

His hand that had been lightly running up and down my spine now stilled. I waited.

“With them.” He finally responded.

“So, you’re staying in your family home with your ex wife.” I said, clarifying what I was afraid was the truth.

“No, we sold that house. This house holds no memories and I’ll be staying in the guest room on the first floor by myself. Plus, she knows I’m with you.”

“Is she seeing anyone?”

Another pause.

“She was but it ended.”

I got out of bed and started getting dressed. Jordan wisely said nothing but got up and dressed as well. My kids had already gone to school so the house was empty. I walked into the kitchen and started making coffee. I took out meat to defrost for dinner. Jordan sat at the island and watched me busy myself.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked.

“Why can’t you stay somewhere else?” I asked him.

“I could but I want to spend time with my kids and I think it’s good for them to see that their mom and I are ok. We can get along and do things as a family.”

“Don’t you think that will give the kids and Bernadette false hope?”

“No. Not at all. First of all, she and I haven’t had a romantic relationship in years. Like 8 years. Our break up was as close to mutual as one could be. She’s happy I found you and we reconnected. So are the kids. They are sad I’m not around as much but they are actually excited to come here for the summer. They remember your kids and really like them.”

I sighed. Breakups are never mutual. And women always want to get back with an ex when a newer relationship doesn’t work out.

“Look,” he continued. “I promise, I’ll be back in a few days and our kids can spend more time together which means we can spend time together. It’s going to be an amazing summer for all of us. Together.”

“Ok,” was all I replied. I was terrified of him going to Florida and fitting easily back into his old life and realizing I wasn’t worth it. I was just a mid life crisis. He’d said we were going to be together forever the last time and then he just stopped acknowledging me. I might as well text Becca about this now. I’m probably going to be a wreck until he comes back. Assuming he does actually come back.