Here And Now

12. A Chaotic Morning

It's the next day. Yet nothing feels different. I woke up feeling disoriented, my eyes swollen and my cheeks burning with the sting of salty tears.

I don't know what I expected. Maybe a feeling of nonchalance. Like the betrayal would miraculously stop hurting.

But I can't swim around in my grief. I have my children who cannot see me this way. I have always been the strong pillar they could lean on and that won't change just because of my failing marriage.

Failed marriage.

So, that's exactly what I do. I shower, put my makeup and the same dress that I wore yesterday. Since I did not bring anything with me, I didn't have the time to. Just looking at the dress hurts.

Is this how my life is going to be now? Everything around me tainted because of Weston's adultery?

I take a deep breath and go to wake my kids up. Before I reach the them, I hear a knock on the door.

Thinking it's the room service, I open the door.

I gasp, "Jackson?" Confusion laced in my voice.

"Um, hi." He scratches the back of his head with his right hand, holding up a paper bag in his right hand.

"I thought I would bring you some change of clothes since I remembered you guys didn't have any to change into this morning."

I stare at him. Speechless.

"Oh." Is all I can manage after a minute or two. Who is Jackson Hastings and what is he doing to me?

"Umm, I hope I didn't overstep. I got these," he shoves the bag in my hands, "from the store down a few blocks."

"Jackson...I don't know what to say. You have already done so much, and now you woke up early, drove all the way up here and got us new clothes and," I peer into the bag see white takeout boxes, "breakfast."

"Yeah, uh, that's what I did." He clears his throat and looks away for a moment before looking back at me.

This time there's a playful glint in his eyes.

"Not that I am complaining about how you look in that dress, but I suppose it's not comfortable for you, right?" He gives me a smile. His dimples winking at me.

"Um, well, I-I better change into this, lest the breakfast get cold."

He chuckles, "Yes, let's not let the breakfast get cold. Bye, April." He turns around to leave.

"Wait, Jackson!" What the fuck are you doing April?

"I would like it if you join us for breakfast." Yeah, I am crazy, sue me.

"If you want." I add, now unsure. What if he was just helping me out of pity and now I have elongated his stay and he's annoyed with me?

"Are you sure, April? I mean, I-I" I cut off stuttering.

Though it's cute how he's nervous and I am embarrassed.

"Yes, please. It's early and you have already helped beyond kindness. The least I can do is invite you in for breakfast."

"Well," He steps inside and slowly shuts the door behind him, "It was hardly much."

I want to contradict him but he is obviously being too modest, so I drop it.

So I just smile at him and go into the bathroom to change out of my dress. Now that I have a fresh change of clothes, the dress feels thoroughly uncomfortable on my body so I quickly strip down and change into the dress Jackson bought me. It's a soft and flowy green dress, reaching just above my knees. I am surprised at how well it fits my body- not a size big nor a size small, just the perfect fit.