by G, Dormaine
I finally opened the door but hesitated for a split second, tormented by Hanna’s continued begging me not to leave her. But somehow I found the strength to move forward. A long time ago I heard the saying ‘If you love someone set them free, if they come back it was meant to be.’ Something like that. I clung to that hope, but for right now my heart felt like my world had just crumbled.
It was the first selfless act I’d done in a while.
CHAPTER 6
That first year after leaving Hanna was the hardest. I lived in a dark place most of that time, suffering through depression to eventually numbness. Karma is a bitch and believe me it doesn’t discriminate. Vail was my punishment.
After leaving the resort, I decided not to take the job in Denver, but fly back to D.C. I told my wife, Rachel, what happened and she laid into me, but in all honestly she could not make me feel any worse than I already did. She screamed, hit, threw and threatened my life. I took it. I would stand there in a daze allowing her to add to my suffering.
I didn’t tell her I fell in love, but she figured it out. She was happy that I was miserable. She told me “Now you know how I feel,” and she was right. I was a self-centered man who deserved to be alone to suffer in the dark.
We were friends long before we were lovers, so the saddest part is I lost my best friend. My wife was right. I was never in love with her, now knowing what true love is. She deserved better than me. I still love her, but she is a good woman who deserves someone who can give her the world. I realized that I forced myself to live a life that was not mine to live, and in return hurt two women.
When all the dust was settled, we learned to talk things out. She admitted she got comfortable after the first year and I admitted that we should have never been. She filed for divorce and I paid for it all. I was adamant about that. I didn’t fight her over the house and both cars. I just wanted my classic 1970 Camaro. That she let me have. There was no child support to worry about or alimony since we each made a good living and had no children.
Now it’s been five years since Vail and I reside in New Jersey. I deal with computer programming on oil rigs or other off shore jobs. I’m the one who corporations fly out to fix the computer systems. They pay me a lot of money for that. It’s solitary work, but I like that about it.
I think of her often. It’s still hard to say her name. I envision her at the resort skiing like she loved to do, or maybe she made it out and someone is sponsoring her skiing. My stomach turns when I picture her face, but I only allow myself a few moments to dream about her. Sometimes I think that I’m crazy and I should be over her by now, but how do you forget your own heart?
I go out, but I don’t date much. I’d rather stay to myself and hang out with the guys whenever I have time, but not on a regular basis. I throw myself into work and focus on my next gig.
Today I made it back home after a job and headed to my favorite espresso spot. I like to get my work done here every time I fly home. I guess because it’s a mom and pop owned business and it’s warm and cozy. Something I need. It reminds me of back then. As I took a sip of my coffee my stomach dropped when my world flipped upside down.
“Okay, now just one muffin, Sterling, then mommy has to get back to work. It’s her first day.”
I looked up and there she was: Hanna talking to a little boy who could not be any older than four. His deep olive complexion was close to mine, his hair sandy brown, and his eyes were green.
I dropped my cup making a ruckus in the shop and she turned to see where the noise came from. She spotted me. She gripped the tiniest hand I’d ever seen and time froze.
Not thinking of the spill or the people around us, I walked over to her. At first she took a slow long deep breath, as if she’d seen a ghost, and it seemed like time indeed had stopped.
“Sterling.” she whispered breathlessly. A tear fell from her eye and I caught it with my fingers.
“Your son…” she slowly managed. “I tried calling but your number changed… I sent letters but they came back…”
“I…I just wiped the slate clean and started over. New number, new address … I never in a millions years expected this.” I pointed to my son.
She reached out to touch my face and I knew in that very moment everything would be all right. And as if time never passed, the electric surge between us was still just as strong.
About the Author
Dormaine was born in Long Island, New York, where she lived most of her life. As an adult she liked to travel out of the country, though her favorite places to explore were her fantasy worlds as an author. She may be a nurse by profession but her heart has always belonged to writing. As a young child she spent many Saturdays in the library nurturing her love for books. There she discovered her fascination for the science fiction genre, through books, movies and graphic novels.
Now she resides in Colorado with her husband and two feisty dogs. After many years of working in hospitals and travel nursing she took time off to pursue a career in writing. Her first novel "Connor" is in one of her favorite genres, young adult urban fantasy. Her second love is for horror for which she created the "Madame Lilly, Voodoo Priestess" series. This is just the start of her exploration as she stays locked up in her office in Colorado spinning more tales.
Read more about Dormaine G
Website:
http://www.dormaineg.com/
Blog:
http://dormainegblog.blogspot.com/
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7329928.Dormaine_G_
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Dormaine-G/e/B00HNE9GOC
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004470074838
Twitter:
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Please email her at:
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Books by Dormaine G
Connor Series
Connor (Book 1)
Madame Lilly Series
Madame Lilly, Voodoo Priestess (Vol. 1)
Madame Lilly, Voodoo Priestess: Soulless (Vol. 2)
Madame Lilly, The Time of Sanura (Vol. 3)
Micco
Micco, Anguta’s Reign (Book 1)
Coming Soon
Connor Revealed - Spring 2016
Madame Lilly (Vol. 4) - March 2016
A Time Not Forgotten - Fall 2016
Forbidden Hunger (A Vampire’s Tale) - Fall 2016
Thank you for taking the time to read my book. Please take a moment to leave a comment at the site from which you bought it.
http://www.dormaineg.com/
http://dormainegblog.blogspot.com/
