Against the Odds

23

Two weeks passed and Miranda got up and got dressed. She hadn't been able to sleep well for the past three weeks. Sleeping alone in the bed felt foreign, it was a stark reminder of the decade she spent sharing it with her husband. She knew that it would still take time to get used to, but she wished that the time would accelerate so she could finally rest.

Miranda made a list of the things she needed to get done today and having a conversation with Ben was number 1. She knew the best way to do that would be to just pop up on him. She wasn't sure if he would answer if she called or texted him. He had previously ignored all her other attempts to reach out.

The closer she got to his dad's house the more nervous she got. She didn't want to argue. She couldn't anyway if she wanted to with the hoarseness of her voice. Her crying episodes left her with strained vocal cords and swollen sinuses.

Miranda parked behind Ben's car and blew out a breath. She said a silent prayer and got out. Knocking on the door she waited for someone to come. When the door opened she looked at her father-in-law and greeted him with a soft smile.

"Hi, Mr. James."

"Hey Miranda, how are you doing?" He inquired, concerned etched on his face.

"I'm doing as well as expected." She replied before looking down at the ground.

James observed her demeanor and he could tell the toll the past weeks had taken on her. "I'll let Ben know you're here."

Miranda's eyes flickered with gratitude as she waited anxiously for Ben to appear.

Ben walked to the door and stood. It has been 3 weeks since he has seen her. She looked good in her multicolored maxi dress, but he could see the subtle weight loss. She was stressed. He wondered if she went back to work yet.

Clearing his throat he opened the screen door and stepped out.

"Hey," Miranda said quickly at the door opening. She looked him over as she was trying to shake her nerves. "I'm sorry to come by unannounced. I wanted to call, but I figured you wouldn't pick up. If you have time can we talk?"

"Miranda I don't really--"

"Not about us, about our kids. They are coming back from the trip with my parents tomorrow and I just... how do you want to tell them this? They left for 3 weeks and are coming back to a different life. We were supposed to talk to them first before making any changes in the living arrangement."

Ben was hesitant but agreed. He knew she was right, they did need to have this conversation. He gestured towards the chairs on the porch and they both took a seat.

"We will just tell them that we decided--" He started, but Miranda interrupted.

"You decided." She corrected.

"What?" He questioned.

"We are telling them the truth. I don't want this, you do. I want to make this as easy as possible for them." Miranda asserted, her eyes reflecting her frustration.

Ben sighed, "No matter what we do, it's not going to be easy for them and we can't just say I. It doesn't make sense for it to be a singular person. It has to seem like it's a decision we made together."

"But it isn't. We didn't make this decision, you did. This is apparently the one decision you could make in the last 17 years. Which is not true; you made a decision to marry me, you made a decision to step back from school when I asked you not to. There were plenty of decisions that you made solely. But I don't want to argue because that's not going to lead to anything but me crying and I'm tired of crying. So can we just think of something to say."