Leaving Amy (Amy #2)

by Julieann Dove

  “Tom, what about Kate?” I hit my head. “What have I done to her? I’ve become Ashley.”

  “Don’t be foolish. These are completely different circumstances. I’m not married to Kate.”

  “But you’re dating her. And she’s married to you in her mind. She’s just playing along until it catches up to you.”

  “Amy, I never led her on. I barely kiss her on the cheek at the end of all our dates.”

  “You didn’t mean to, but, Tom, any time you went out with her, it gave her the notion you were into her. And why shouldn’t you be? She’s a lovely lady. Not to mention your age.”

  He sat up in bed. Instant mood killer. “Is my age a problem for you?”

  “No. It’s just that there is a difference. And Kate needs you. She’s settled on you. It would devastate her if she knew this is what happened with us.” I hit my head on the backboard. “Oh my God! I’ve just destroyed her life.”

  “Amy, don’t be dramatic. Kate’s a big girl. She’ll be fine. I never once told her this was serious.” He pulled me to him. “Now, come here.”

  He made love to me again. There should be a law against that much pleasure. He was so much better than Wesley. Stroking me in all the right places—places I never knew made me purr.

  I watched him before I pulled on his shirt from the valet in the corner. He was out. A light snore came from his lips. I slipped downstairs and saw my phone on the counter. There was a message from Kate.

  Amy, I hope everything’s all right. Thank you for being there for me this past year and I just wanted to let you know you are the one responsible for making me hopeful for the New Year. Cheers, and I’ll see you at work next Monday. Kate.

  I could hear the song they used to sing on the bus in that awful girl troop. Something about sunshine and flowers. Duty was calling me. I could smell the smoke from the exhaust pipe as I waved good-bye to my mom and dad. It was my duty to represent the church and go help the less fortunate. Kate was my new less fortunate. Tom may not see it that way, but I couldn’t be the one who held the gun, and finished off her last hopes for love. Or seeing her head in a stove after it got around that I was with him. And that Patricia woman. She’d make it her life’s mission to see that I lived with the scarlet letter burned in my chest.

  I was younger than Tom and Kate. I had somewhat of a sliver of hope life would get better. And if it didn’t, it wouldn’t be because I killed someone’s hopes. I was responsible for only me. I could move away and put what happened out of sight. My mind would come around eventually.

  I pulled open the drawer and found the keys to the van. I tucked the letter in Tom’s jacket on the floor of the living room. Memories of us just moments ago pulled at my heartstrings. I was surprised I had any left. Pulled strings eventually lost elasticity, didn’t they?

  I was on the highway before I could breathe normally. I tried to keep all the noise suppressed as I collected my clothes and dressed in the downstairs powder room. I imagined what Tom would think when he awoke and saw I was gone. For now, I’d keep all my imagination of Tom thoughts to a minimum. It’s the only way I found my way to the open road and all that waited for me. I did, however, leave an amended letter for him. I hope he loved me enough to acknowledge my last wishes.

  Dear Tom,

  Some people love each other in unconventional ways. My love for you transcends what it can ever be. You will always be the best thing that ever happened in my life, but I will never be with you. Kate is your forever. Know she adores you, Tom. Don’t tell her of our transgressions; it would kill her. Anyway, it was nothing more than a blip on the screen of life. Let me go. Let me go and find myself.

  Amy

  Acknowledgments

  I thank God for the inspiration to write stories that people can relate to.

  I thank my beautiful family and friends who’ve encouraged me and cheered me on during this beginning of something wonderful. I’m having the time of my life, doing what I love to do.

  For the readers who are sticking with Amy and continuing her journey, thank you for all the support. Your kind words and lovely reviews make this worth it. I hope everyone stays around to see how Amy’s life unfolds next!