Consequences - Janet

Right on time, she heard Charlie's car pull in and she walked to the door to watch them as they came up the walk. She held the door open as Allie ran inside, her excitement bubbling over. Charlie was more reserved, but smiled as he came up to the door. He smiled and said "You certainly look nice."

She was pleased! He had noticed, and that was a good sign. She blushed, nodded at the compliment than asked, "Can you stay for a while? Everything is ready and I have some time. We haven't spent any time together for a while." Janet smiled and hoped.

"I'm sure you have everything just right. Allie is lucky to have you for her mom. But, I have plans and I'll be late if I don't leave now. Good luck with the sleepover. If you need anything, just call Jeff." With that, Charlie turned and walked back to his car. Janet watched him go with her hopes dropping. Once again, he just walked away. She sighed and closed the door.

Allie was finished checking everything and seemed pleased. She was excited since this was her first sleepover. She grabbed a coke from the refrigerator and sat down at the table.

Janet tried to put her disappointment out of her mind as she asked her daughter "What did you do at dad's yesterday?"

"Nothing much. He and Joyce took me to the park and I met some kids that I sort of knew from before. We just played on the swings and things. You know."

Joyce? Who was Joyce? Janet had never heard of a Joyce before. She had to know.

"Oh. Who's Joyce? You never mentioned her before. Is she a friend of yours?" Hoping she was Allie's friend and not Charlie's. Hoping that she wouldn't hear what she feared.

"No, she's a friend of daddy's. She's been staying there a lot lately. I think she comes to see dad a lot when I'm not there. Uncle Jeff told me that. He said she's always there and sometimes stays over night. I don't think he likes her much. But she seems OK."

"That's nice honey. She sounds real nice. Well, you make sure you have everything you need for tonight. The girls will be here soon."

She stood and kissed Allie's forehead and smiled at her daughter, her one tie to a life she had lost forever. Janet walked into the bedroom, closed the door and cried once more. It had been some time since she had cried but this time it would be the last. This time she cried for the loss of hope.

Consequences can be a bitch!