Broken

Broken Part 3

Alice

This time of year energized Alice. She loved the cold air that whispered promises of snow as it blew. She never understood why people honored "spring cleaning" traditions. This time of year was so much more conducive to productivity, with the air cool and charged with energy that no other season could offer. She had spent the days leading up to Halloween raking leaves into large plastic bags, carving pumpkins and with the help of Richards drill; making lit centerpieces out of small gourds. Although it depressed her some to watch all the other women her age shop for tiny costumes, she still loved the holiday. On the afternoon of Halloween; a cold and rainy Tuesday, Alice went to the basement to gather the goodies for the trick-or-treaters. She had hid the small boxes of chips and miniature chocolate bars on ahigh shelf, more from herself than anyone else. This year she was proud to admit that she had only snuck down twice for a handful of sugary satisfaction. Martin had often teased her back in her working days that had she cut herself with the fabric shears, sugar would pour out instead of blood. She lugged the bags and boxes up the steep stairwell and placed the treats in large decorated bowls by the door. She had perhaps gone overboard with the Halloween lights and fake cobwebs in the foyer of the house, but she didn't care. It was for the kids. Alice was shocked when her first trick-or-treater bounded up the steps shortly after four in the afternoon. She half jogged from the kitchen to find Richard at the door instead, arms full with a cardboard box of what seemed to be papers. "Oh, it's you." She helped him in with the box. "Don't sound so disappointed" he remarked, pointedly. "I have promised to take some of the load off of Marks, our most junior lawyer who is juggling two nasty divorce settlements. His wife and children both came down with the flu." Alice felt guilty to be in awe of this gesture, but she was. Richard rarely bestowed random acts of kindness upon junior lawyers, because, in his words "they need to realize early on what is involved in this profession. If they can't stomach it, they had better learn that now, rather than later." Alice was both proud of her husband and relieved that he was home early to help her." Would you mind helping me if we get as many trick-or-treaters as we did last year? I was run off my feet by eight o'clock." She chuckled at the memory. She had barely shut the door from one group of kids when another came knocking. Richard cut his eyes at her, looking rather annoyed. "I'm sure you can handle a gaggle of children and a tub of candy Alice. As you can see, I'm going to be tied up for hours with this work." He said, motioning to the box he had just set at his feet. She smiled in reply; a little too politely given that this was her husband she was talking to. "Sure. Of course. What was I thinking?" With that she turned on her heel and went into the kitchen to start a pot of tea. She hoisted herself up onto the counter, looking out the large kitchen window as the sun started to set over the neighborhood. Why did he have to be so dismissive? Before she could even start to justify his reasoning, as she often did, she heard the lock click on his study door. Just then, the kettle whistled. 

Richard

 Setting down the box of documents on the desk in his study, he sighed. He didn't want to be so short with Alice, but he couldn't seem to help himself. He switched on his lamp and made himself comfortable in his leather chair. Minutes later there was soft knock at the door. "Just a second" he got up and unlocked the latch. Alice stood in the entryway with a steaming mug of earl gray tea. She looked apologetic. For what, he was unsure. This made him feel guilty. He had felt this sensation many times since being with Meghan the week before. A gut wrenching guilt that tore through his center, like a hot poker. Yet, he still fantasized about the encounter whenever he found his mind wandering." Thank you love. Many kids come knocking yet?" He was appealing to her better nature by mentioning the children. "Only two so far." Alice smiled at him and leaned in to give him a kiss just as he turned to head back to his desk. The kiss landed awkwardly at the corner of his mouth. They both laughed, a bit too uncomfortably and went back to what they'd been immersed in; her manning of the door and his pouring over affidavits. An hour or so went by and Richard decided to take a break. He powered up his laptop and logged into their online banking site to check the status of things. He very seldom did this. Paying the bills fell to Alice; one of the many tasks that filled her days. After checking their balances and investment portfolio he clicked on the credit card tab and did a quick scan. Five purchases from "Bib N Tucker" on this month's statement. He had to search the shop online to be sure. "Alice, can you please come here." His voice boomed through the house more loudly than he had intended. She peeked her head in. "What's up?" He glared at her for a moment than swiveled the laptop around for her to see what he had seen. She swallowed audibly. "I...I had to buy Raya's baby shower present." She glanced at her feet and then back up to meet his glare. "Alice, these purchases total nearly $600!" Now she was shouting. "Is this really about money Richard?" She seemed to have regained some courage with an edge of defensiveness in her voice. "I'd be happy to go back to work if you feel I'm not pulling my weight around here." She motioned carelessly, knocking his tea cup off the desk. "Shit!" Hot tea pooled at her feet, wetting her socks. She bent to take them off, wringing them out. He knelt down to pick up the mug and looked her in the eyes. "I think you have a problem. " He was trying to keep his voice calm. "I think you should maybe talk to someone about your feelings, you know....about this infertility stuff." Her eyes widened. Unblinking, they brimmed with tears. "How about you Richard? Can't I talk to you? Don't even answer that. I know the answer is no. It has been no for a long time." Angry again he stood up. "You are not being fair Alice! This has consumed you for years. You are not the same woman I married anymore! Can you really blame me for checking out when I have the chance?" Her head shot up. "Checking out?" He tried to interject, but it was too late. She was furious. "Is that what you call it? Lying about going into the office, when you are off, God knows where, with God knows who!? Did you really think I was that stupid Richard? " He stormed past her and out of the room. "Don't try and turn this around on me Alice!" He could hear her following behind him as he stopped at the hall closet, swinging the door open with a gusto, turning to see her reaction. "What is that?" he asked, motioning to the chest on the floor. She looked from the chest to Richard and back again, as if trying to decide which were more important to her. Without a word she turned and headed upstairs, pulling her black Louis Vuitton suitcase out from under the bed. "What in the fuck is this Alice? You're running away from home now because you've been caught?" he chuckled cruelly. He watched in disbelief and as she threw clothes haphazardly into the suit and zip it up. When she was finished, she turned to face him. "No, Richard. I'm running away from you."