- 7.
At the photo studio, Chloe went first, even
taking a number of photos with Jake.
When it was our turn, the photographer raised
his camera, then lowered it awkwardly.
“Oh, sorry, I seem to be out of film.”
I silently cheered, keeping my face neutral.
“Oh, well. Never mind then.”
As we left the studio, Jake pulled a train
ticket from his pocket and handed it to me.
It was a standing–room–only ticket to New
York, leaving in four days.
<
“I’m not trying to leave you behind,” he said.
“I’ll go get settled, and I’ll be waiting for you
in New York.”
The trip to New York was three days and
three nights. I didn’t know how he expected
me to manage standing for that long.
Besides, there was only one spot for a spouse
to accompany him.
Where was I supposed to stay when I got
there?
But asking these questions now wouldn’t get
me any good answers.
Seeing me take the ticket, Jake visibly
relaxed.
୮
“Don’t worry. Even if you don’t live on base,
you’ll still be my only wife.”
“I’ll treat you well from now on. Chloe is just
like a sister to me.”
I softened slightly. He had never spoken such
sweet words before.
Suddenly, a car swerved around the corner,
heading straight for us.
Jake pulled Chloe into his arms, dodging out
of the way.
In the chaos, someone pushed me.
I saw the car coming right at me, but my body
froze in terror.
Г
The car swerved at the last moment, clipping
me and sending me sprawling.
Pain shot through me, my vision blurring.
The driver jumped out of the car, frantically
asking, “Ma’am, are you alright? Are you
okay?”
A crowd began to gather, murmuring.
My gaze found Jake through the throng of
people.
He was holding Chloe, comforting her,
completely oblivious to me.
Or maybe he noticed and simply didn’t care.
Г
I gave a bitter laugh, the last flicker of
hesitation extinguished.
So much for “treating me well from now on.”
