We Ended Up Together (7 page)

Dr. Brad DeMarco PhD

Home: 555-7923

Office: 555-9157

Chloe pondered giving him a call. She didn't know what else to do. Noticing she'd left her cell phone at the cabin, she walked back into the living room to use the house phone.

Chloe dialed the number and then anxiously waited as the phone rang. She played with the card in her fingers as she waited. She hoped it wasn't too late to call, but after a few rings he picked up.

"Hello?" Brad’s voice answered.

"Hi, Brad it's Chloe Etienne," Chloe said trying her best to sound normal.

"Oh, hi Chloe. Is, um, something wrong? You sound upset," Brad noticed.

"As a matter of fact there is something wrong. I've decided to divorce my husband," Chloe said slowly.

"Wow, that's too bad. I know how you feel right now," Brad said.

"The reason I called you is that I really don't have anyone to talk to. I know we don't know each other very well but I was hoping you could help me. I'm just feeling really alone and I don't know who else to turn to. I don't have anyone to stay with either," Chloe explained as tears came to her eyes once again.

"Chloe, it's okay don't cry. Why don't you come over and we'll sort this out," Brad said, sympathetically.

"Thanks Brad," Chloe replied. Brad told Chloe his address before they said their goodbyes and hung up.

Chloe got up from the couch and walked out the door. She hoped this would be her last time out the doors of that building. It was raining when Chloe got to the street. She decided to take a taxi and leave her car, since it was really James’ property.

With her entrance into the cab, the new chapter in her life could begin.

Chloe was dropped off on an unfamiliar street corner. The spray from the cars and the drops of rain soaked her to the skin. She quickly ran up the steps of Brad’s building. She followed his directions and walked up to apartment 4B.

Her hair dripped with water and her clothes were soaked. She walked down the halls shivering from the cold.

When Chloe reached the right apartment, she knocked on the door. It didn't take long for Brad to open it.

"You're soaked! Come in, please," Brad said as he ushered Chloe inside.

Chloe glanced into his apartment and noticed she was not the only guest Brad had over. Sitting on Brad’s brown leather sofa was a woman with blond hair and a smile on her face.

The woman stood from her seat on the couch and began to stride towards Brad and Chloe. Brad closed the front door behind Chloe with a thud. Chloe stood in the entrance of Brad’s apartment as the woman beamed a huge smile extending her hand to greet her.

"Hi, I'm Charlene! I'm one of Brad’s friends," Charlene said cheerfully. Chloe took her hand and shook it. The look in Charlene's eyes was unlike anything Chloe had ever seen. Her eyes alone were full of friendliness and enthusiasm.

"I'm Chloe," she replied. Charlene smiled again from ear to ear.

"Don't worry, I know," Charlene responded, giddily. Brad abruptly cut into their conversation.

"Um, so I'll see you later, Charl?" Brad interjected, his voice full of panic. Charlene gave Chloe a quick wink. Chloe didn't have a clue what all that was about, but she timidly smiled back at Charlene.

Before Chloe had arrived Brad had been telling Charlene about his feelings. Charlene now knew about Brad’s high school crush and the fact that he still had feelings for her.

"Yeah, it's getting late, isn't it?" Charlene asked as she gave Brad an amused glance. Brad shifted his gaze to the floor, trying to pretend not to notice Charlene's stare.

Charlene had told Brad to ask Chloe out again, but Brad had decided not to since she needed him to be there for her right now. Charlene tried to convince him to ask her anyways. Brad had been so lonely lately and he needed a relationship. What could be more perfect than him asking out his high school crush? That is, if he could build up the courage.

"Bye Charlene," Brad said before giving his friend a hug.

"It was nice meeting you," Chloe said to Charlene.

"You too. Bye now," Charlene responded before opening the apartment door and leaving. When the door swung shut behind her, Brad turned to Chloe.

"I'm sorry. When you called she was visiting-" Brad began, before Chloe interrupted.

"No really, it's fine! I mean I just kind of sprung this on you," Chloe said enthusiastically.

"Do you want to sit down and we can talk?" Brad asked, gesturing to the couch.

"Yes thank you," Chloe responded. The two made their way to the leather couch and took a seat a few feet apart.

"So you left your husband?" Brad decided to get right into it. Chloe nodded.

"He cheated on me," Chloe explained as she looked down at her hands, which were folded in her lap. Tears threatened to fall as looked away from Brad.

"Hey, hey don't be upset. He is obviously a jerk and he doesn't deserve your tears," Brad said softly as he reached across the distance between them and gently put a hand on top of hers.

Chloe peered up at Brad and smiled slightly. His sincere words warmed her heart. He removed his hand from hers and shyly smiled at her.

"I didn't leave him only because of that. I also just didn't love him. He worked all the time leaving me at home and I couldn't live like that anymore," Chloe explained. Brad listened intently, watching her face as she spoke.

"That's really brave," Brad responded. Chloe looked up at him with glassy eyes. His soft brown eyes held her focus. As they sat there a shiver trembled down Chloe's body, partly due to Brad’s thoughtful words, but mostly because she was cold and soaking wet from head to toe.

Brad noticed the tremor shake Chloe's small frame.

"Do you want to change into something dry?" Brad asked.

"I would but I kind of didn't bring anything with me," Chloe replied, kicking herself for forgetting to grab a change of clothes before she left. But another shiver rippled through her body.

"I'm sure I can find you something to wear. Come with me," Brad stated, confidently. He got up from the couch and Chloe followed him like a lost puppy. They walked past the kitchen and bathroom door into another doorway leading to a small hall outside the bedrooms.

Chloe trailed a couple of steps behind Brad as they entered his bedroom. The walls were a warm gold color adding to the comforting vibe the room gave off. Brad walked over to his dresser and searched through a few drawers. Then he finally found what he was looking for.

Brad held out a white t-shirt to Chloe.

"Um, this shirt is too small for me so I'm sure it will fit you nicely," Brad explained.

"Thank you," Chloe replied with honesty. She took the t-shirt from Brad. "Where can I change?"

"You can use the bathroom," Brad said pointing out the door in the direction of the bathroom.

"Okay, thanks," Chloe responded, before she turned and headed for the door. Brad went back into the living room and sat on his couch again, trying to occupy his mind with anything but Chloe.

Soon Chloe emerged from the bathroom. Brad’s shirt hung loosely down to her mid-thigh. Brad swallowed hard. Never could he have imagined that Chloe would be in his apartment, wearing his shirt. She looked absolutely incredible with her wet hair and shy smile, as she sat next to him on the couch once again.

"Thanks for letting me stay here," Chloe said, breaking the silence.

"It's no problem Chloe. You can stay as long as you need to. I know how it feels to be in your position, and knowing that you don't have anyone to turn to like I did, it has to be hard," Brad said, timidly.

"It's a lot less hard now that I'm here with you," Chloe answered. She looked into his eyes; something about them just drew her in like a moth to a flame. As she stared at him, she subconsciously leaned in a bit.

Chloe was only a foot away from Brad’s face. She bit her lip as she lost herself in the moment. Brad too gazed at her eyes, noticing her leaning closer to him. He knew the look in her eyes; she was going to kiss him.

For a second, he considered closing the gap between them to fulfill his teenaged self's fantasy. How he had longed to kiss her for so long. He could only imagine what it would be like to have her soft pink lips against his own.

But the logical side of him won over. He knew Chloe was probably just upset about her divorce and seeking comfort.

"We should, um, get to sleep. It's getting late," Brad commented. Chloe nodded as she backed up. She was amazed at how much of a gentleman Brad was as she realized he didn't take advantage of her moment of weakness.

"Where should I…?" Chloe asked wondering where she would be sleeping.

"Why don't you take my bed? I'll sleep here on the couch," Brad responded, knowing exactly what she was going to ask.

"Are you sure? I would happily take the couch. I mean, you took me in…" Chloe replied.

"You've had a long day. Please, take the bed. I insist," Brad stated. Chloe opened her mouth to speak but closed it again as she lost her nerve. She was too tired to argue.

"Thank you," Chloe answered, sincerely. She hesitated a moment before she stood up. "Goodnight, Brad."

"Goodnight," Brad replied, softly. Chloe headed to Brad’s bedroom and climbed under his red comforter. She exhaled a drained sigh as her head rested on the soft pillow.

Chloe lay awake for a while, thinking about her day. She finally felt free of the chains that held her prisoner in a world she detested. Even though she still had a long road ahead, she was glad she had done what she did before she lost her mind.

She inhaled deeply smelling Brad’s scent all around her. It comforted her and soon she dozed off into a deep sleep. Finally her future looked brighter.

Chloe woke the next morning to the unfamiliar room and quickly remembered where she was. She was so happy that the whole thing wasn't a dream. She sat up in Brad’s bed and looked around. She admired the cleanliness of the room. She noticed a folded piece of paper on the bedside table. It had her name written across it. She picked it up and unfolded it.

Chloe,

I didn't want to wake you, but I had to go to work. I have a few lectures to give, so I'll be home around 3:00pm.

Please help yourself to anything you want for breakfast and lunch.

-Brad

Chloe smiled to herself and placed the note back on the table. She decided to have breakfast and then go back to her apartment to grab her belongings.

On his lunch break, Brad logged onto his email. He was disappointed to see that there was still no new email from his friend. Brad was concerned about her so he decided to email her again.

Hi,

I hope everything's okay. I'm just worried that you haven't contacted me yet, as usually you reply within hours.

Please let me know what's going on. We can talk about your decision to leave your husband. Plus I have a new roommate that I want to tell you about. She's that girl I met recently that I liked back in high school. Anyways, email me back.

Chloe sat in a taxi and watched as the city flew by her window. She had changed into the clothes she wore the previous night, which were now dry. She couldn't help but feel nervous when the taxi pulled to the curb in front of the old apartment she had once shared with James.

Chloe tensely climbed the all too familiar stairs and arrived outside of the apartment. She knocked on the door hoping someone was inside to let her in.

Soon the door opened and James stood there looking at her in shock.

"Have you changed your mind?" James asked hopefully.

"No, I've come for my things," Chloe replied. Then she walked past James and headed straight for her closet. She began to pack a few bags with articles of clothing and a few personal belongings. James stood in the doorway of their bedroom and watched.

James held a little hope that he could change her mind about the divorce. He had been in hell for the past day. Chloe's father was absolutely fuming when he entered the cabin without Chloe. When he explained that she left because she didn't like her life, Philip became even more infuriated.

Of course James was smarter than to mention his cheating with Linda and Becca. He even acted completely normal when Linda's husband returned from his evening ski trip.

After a while, Chloe had everything she needed. It was tough to see her entire life with James packed into a few suitcases. But, the sooner she could leave, the better. Chloe couldn't take another minute of James’ sad eyes watching her every move, willing her to stay.

Chloe carried all of her bags towards the door. James followed her closely. Chloe had to put a few bags down to open the door. When one of her shoulders was bare, James grabbed her arm, his vice-like grip made her turn back around.

He pulled her against him so fast she barely had time to register what was happening. James locked her in a tight grip as he assaulted her lips with his. James’ lips pressed against hers longing for her to kiss him in return, but Chloe's lips did not move.

After a few seconds Chloe was able to get him off of her. She looked at him with disbelief. Did he really think a kiss like that could solve their problems and make her stay? Chloe shook her head disgusted with the feeling of James’ crushing mouth on hers.

"What the hell was that James?" Chloe shouted as she backed away from him.

"Please Chloe, don't go," James pleaded, looking at her with a pained expression on his face.

"I have to," Chloe responded, more calm.

"Please don't. I'm sorry for cheating," James said, practically begging for forgiveness. He wanted her to stay. He couldn't imagine the feeling of being alone and facing the repercussions.

"James an apology is not enough. I'm not leaving you because you cheated. I told you. I can't live this way anymore. This is not me," Chloe explained.

"What about the life we had planned. We were going to stay married forever, what happened to that promise?" James asked.

"James, when I promised you those things, I didn't know what I was promising to do. I thought this life would be different, but I'll never be able to explain how it feels to have the only purpose of keeping up an image," Chloe disclosed.

"Please just stay. We can work things out. Just think of all the people we'll disappoint if you leave," James explained.

"Why should we go on living this lie for them?" Chloe responded.

"Because it will cause chaos if we don't," James said. "Think of how this will ruin my life when you escape it."

"You don't care that I'm miserable? You just care that the name you live up to will be dragged through the mud," Chloe accused, angered by James’ self-centeredness.

"But face it Chloe, you're letting down your family and mine. Please just consider that for a minute," James reasoned. Chloe did take a second to understand what James was saying. But when she thought of spending another day home alone, or faking enthusiasm at a party, she stuck to her decision.

"I can't do this for them. I have to think of myself for once. All my life I've been living with the fear of endangering my family's image. I just can't take another day of it," Chloe explained.

"You can't leave. What am I going to do? Did you ever think of what this will do to me?" James asked again, bitterly. Chloe was shocked to hear his egotistical thoughts on the matter at hand.

"I can't believe you would say something like that," Chloe said, angrily. "Can't you think of anyone other than yourself for once? Can't you see how unhappy I am?"