Broken

Broken Part 4

Alice

Luckily for Alice, December was a busy month. She volunteered alongside Deidre at her church. Together they prepared meals for the homeless, filled shoeboxes with staple items and small toys to send to Africa and decorated the church hall for the coming receptions. Richard and Deidre were strict Catholics, and although Alice grew up non-dominational, she had found great comfort in the community of their church. Richard no longer attended himself. He believed that the church held too much antiquity and scandal for his liking. Alice didn't care. It brought her great joy to tag along with Deidre and feel she belonged. Being useful had a way of making her feel that way. She was out shopping for decorations when her phone rang. An Irish lullaby – a ringtone assigned to Richard. "Hi sweetie, how is your day going?" There was a brief pause before Richard responded. "Well I have some good news and some bad news, which would you like first?" Alice's bubbly mood fizzled." Good news first, always" she said, trying to stay in a positive frame of mind. "Well my live, the good news I that I should have the weekend free and clear. I can take you to that Inn on the vineyard you've been talking about. It should be nice and quiet there this time of year. No grapes though – but lots of wine I hope." He laughed nervously. "What's the bad news Richard?" He cleared his throat. "Well, the corporate merger I've been working so hard on is almost complete. We have to travel to their office on Thursday to witness the signing of some important documents." "We?" interjected Alice. "Yes, well I usually take Alice along for these types of meetings but she is tied up that day, so Meghan will be assisting me." A knot formed in her stomach. Alice wanted to remain cool and collected, but the thought of Richard driving three hours in a car with that gorgeous twenty-something woman made her insides feel like iron. "The unfortunate part" he continued "is that the forecast is calling for a blizzard Thursday, so depending on the weather we may have to get two hotel rooms and wait out the storm. No sense in risking life and limb to get home." He had put emphasis on the word "two", which made Alice more nervous that reassured. Of course they would get two rooms, she thought. Why did that even need to be specified? "Well, you do what you have to do Richard. Just be safe, ok?" She hung up and continued shopping, but her mood had changed. Suddenly she was walking around in a haze, wondering what weight loss program she could try next, and what color would best mask her hips at the upcoming holiday party. Gazing at the options of Christmas colored tulle she wondered exactly what she had meant by her last words to Richard. 

Richard 

 It was a busy day at the office. He was trying to tie up all loose ends so he could keep his promise to Alice and take her away this weekend. She had seemed cool to him on the phone. It was no surprise to him that she wouldn't want him going away with Meghan. He understood that Alice had jealously issues when it came to younger women. She had never told him so, but it was clear in the way she acted. Even when Jess came to visit, it seems Alice is always trying to one up her with a nicer outfit or stronger perfume. If only she knew, he thought. It would destroy her. He vowed for the hundredth time that month to keep what happened between him and Meghan a secret. He couldn't bear to see the pain it would bring his wife to know what they done together. It was amazing how quickly he went from being turned on by Meghan to in defensive mode around her. She represented a threat, a weakness he did not want to indulge. He was a man who knew what he wanted, and that was the life he had worked so hard to build. A life for him and Alice. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Come in." It was Annie. He breathed a small sigh of relief. "What is it Annie?" She entered his office sporting a beige pantsuit that gave zero definition to her body. Why can't they all be like Annie? "Meghan called in sick. Something about her stomach. I sure hope she is well enough for your trip tomorrow. You are going to need her to keep track of the files for both the client and ourselves. Remember both parties need signed and witnessed copies." He frowned. For the first time all week, he actually looked forward to Meghan's being there with him on this trip. He was excellent at his job, but the organization and double checking were best left to his assistants. He needed that second set of eyes on this one. This merger was set to be complete before the new year. "Would you do me a favor Annie? Would you please call Meghan and insist she see a doctor today? Have her phone Dr. Lantan. He will see her as a favor to me. I will call him now so he knows to expect her." Annie nodded and departed his office. Again, there was Annie so efficient and dependable, blending in with his life. Why couldn't Annie have hired one of her spinster friends for the job? He tapped his pen on hi blotter and stared out his window at the city below. He felt nearly in control again. Everything would be alright.