Neighbors

Part 9: Sleep

The aftermath of the weekend were noticeable. Ben was the one who wouldn't talk to me. I was the one who should be angry right? We only communicated about the kids and nothing else. He was home in time every night so we didn't have to fight about that. When Tuesday came he was home and even though he didn't speak to me he made it clear that he was willing to take care of the girls.

I thought Mia would show up on my porch, but she didn't. My husband wouldn't talk to me and I scared away my best friend. I sat staring at Mia and Reece's house, I caught a glimpse of a woman closing the curtains to the bedroom. Weird, she didn't look like Mia but I hadn't been sleepy since I left her house. It might sound like an exaggeration, it wasn't. I had stayed up all night Saturday to Sunday, still a little afraid of being in the house with Ben's family. I tried closing my eyes but I started to feel like I couldn't breathe. The night between Sunday and Monday was reserved to fighting. He thought I overreacted, I feared that he was right but Mia was in the back of my mind. I did nothing wrong. We had never fought like that before. It was a screaming match. I tried to tell him that I was just scared and he just kept telling me how silly I was, how stupid I was, how childish I acted. He kept repeating that I should trust him. Trust his family. Why? What had his family done to deserve my trust? He finally went to bed around 3, I couldn't go to our bedroom, he was there. I didn't want to sleep on the couch out in the open. I ended up in Chris' bed, she was such a sound sleeper, and she was so tiny when she slept. She curled into me and I held her. I still couldn't sleep but I felt like I did something right holding my daughter.

Monday was exhausting. I wasn't sleeping and I was pretty much made of coffee at this point. I wore a lot more makeup than I usually did but Carly looked worried.

"Charlotte, I'm sorry if this is rude, but when was the last time you slept?" She asked and I was too tired to lie.

"Friday"

"OhMyGod! What is going on" She spoke so loud, I flinched. "Sorry I didn't mean to shout... Charlotte, what is going on?"

"Carly I am fine"

"I can literally see you fall asleep. You have to go home. Like now!"

"I can't sleep at home" I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. I shoot up. "I didn't mean it to sound bad, it's not bad" Carly just stood up and walked out. Was I dreaming, was I asleep? A couple of minutes passed and then Marjorie came and got me. Of course Carly went running to Marjorie... She took me into the office.

"Sit down" She said and pointed to the couch.

"Marj, I'm fine" I started to panic, I felt so bad. It probably seemed like something bad was going on at home so I started to think about what people would say, about me and about Ben.

"I think it is pretty obvious that you are not. You need to go home and sleep... But you can't drive like that" Was she about to make me take a cab home?

"I will cover for you, and you will sleep on my couch. I know that it is just a few hours but it is better than nothing" I could kiss her, still just an expression. "We will have to talk about this, but after you have slept. Just lay down darling, I'll lock the door for you" She smiled. I hated when they pitied me. It felt undignified. I couldn't fight anymore, so I just layed down and I slept.

It felt better, I had almost five hours under my belt and I could do this. Picking up the girls went well and we got home. I made them food and we fell asleep together on the couch. I was jolted awake when Ben slammed the front door. Dread runs through my body, I'm sleeping in Chris' bed again, or I did not sleep but I did close my eyes. I called in sick that Tuesday, I didn't tell Ben, I just stayed home. I felt delirious, I found myself just walking around the house, I felt like a zombie. Ben got the kids today, I poured myself a glass of wine and sat on the porch. I saw a strange woman in Mia's window. Am I hallucinating? I really need to sleep. I chugged my wine, it burned a little and I decided that this was my house as well so I just walked upstairs and slept in my own bed. I should not be punished. This is not my fault. Also, I am very aware of the consequences of sleep deprivation.

I did sleep that night, I dreamt of a strange woman in Mia's house, a woman that should be Mia but isn't. I walked towards the house but I didn't move. I screamed for Mia, but nothing came out. Something was wrong. My alarm clock woke me up. Ben was not next to me. I don't know if he ever was. We still hadn't spoken. I got myself together and it was just like a regular day. On my way out the door I did look at Mia's house, the curtains were still drawn. Something did feel off, but that was probably just the memory of the dream.

I told both Marjorie and Carly about what had happened. All of it, they were in shock, like they couldn't imagine that something like this happened, and happened to perfect Charlotte. I left out the part about Mia and I don't know why... I also told them that me and Ben talked it out last night and that things were ok now. I don't know why I lied, I just wanted to end the conversation.

Ben got home really early, I was confused.

"Charlotte, I need to talk, like right now" He didn't seem angry, he seemed stressed. I walked over and we both stepped outside. "I know that we are fighting right now, but I love you, and something happened... I saw something" This was serious, at least serious enough to end our disagreement.

"What is going on?" I was a little scared in all honestness.

"Reece is cheating on Mia"

"WHAT?" I yelled, I properly yelled. That didn't make any sense, they were good, they were happy. Reece would never do that. Then again, I really didn't know them that well. "Ben, that makes no sense, who told you that"

"I saw it, Charlotte, they were at the bar in the hotel where we had the conference, they kissed, like really kissed. Then they took the elevator up together" I felt anger wash over me. Hell no. I looked over and both their cars were in the driveway. I took him by the arm, almost dragging him to Mia and Reece's house.

"Charlotte, what are you doing?"

"WE are doing the right thing" Reece opened the door and I just walked in.

"What is going on?" He asked as he followed me to the kitchen.

"Where is Mia?" She came in from the living room.

"I'm right here. Char. What is going on" I could see the worry in her eyes. She took a step towards me then stopped herself it seems. I took a deep breath, I became aware of what was about to happen.

"Reece is cheating on you!" I almost yelled. I turned to him. "What the fuck is wrong with you" I took a step towards him. "How could you do that? Are you an idiot?" I took another step, then Mia stood between us all of a sudden. Her arms around me. What is going on?

"Char, I love that you are trying to protect me, but we are fine. It is just a misunderstanding" No, he wouldn't get away with this.

"No! Ben saw you, he told me about the woman at the bar" Mia put her hands on my face and looked in my eyes.

"Take a breath" I did. "Good girl" She smiled. "Reece is not cheating on me, I am well aware of the women at the bar, her name is Sarah" I was flabbergasted.

"But... He... What?" Reece and Mia looked at each other.

"We are together, but sometimes we see other people. Sometimes we date other people. We are very open... Do you understand what I am saying?" She said softly. I nodded. I understood but I didn't get it if that makes sense.

"So he sees other women?" She smiles. "And you see other men" She giggled a little.

"Among other alternatives, yes..." What does that mean? Ooooooooh... My eyes must have gone wide because Mia burst out laughing. It was a huge laugh, I remember hearing it the first time I ever saw her on their balcony from my porch.