The Arrangement 1

Chapter 8

It was almost midnight by the time all the new things had been unloaded from the delivery trucks and put in their final positions. At least they were in what April hoped were their final positions. She might still do a little rearranging, there were some items she really didn’t know where to place, and others that Mark had placed but which she still had doubts about. There was so much new furniture, and it was all so beautiful and expensive that she was overwhelmed by it.

The house looked great though. It was like something out of an architecture magazine. The girls had loved their rooms and they’d even jumped into the swimming pool in their underwear when they found it on the back patio. The house was a dream come true. She was surprised at the furniture she’d picked out with Mark. Things she would never have had the confidence to buy, even if she could have afforded them, she’d picked out by the truckload with his encouragement. There was an entire room that was upholstered in real zebra skin.

She fell into the bed next to Walter and intended to be asleep in minutes. Walter held her affectionately as soon as she got there. It seemed he’d been waiting for her to join him. She wondered if this was yet another new thing in her life she could start enjoying. The bed was brand new and it was achingly comfortable. It was the biggest bed she’d ever owned. It had a down featherbed, down duvets and pillows, everything was the best, selected from the fanciest stores in town just that day.

Walter whispered in her ear.

–I know it’s already been quite a day, but I have one more surprise.

April’s heart started beating, and she didn’t know if it was excitement or worry. It really had been a big day for her.

Walter turned on his bedside lamp and handed her an envelope. 

–What’s this?

–Just open it.

She ripped it along the serrated opening tab and took out a brochure. It was for a school, a boarding school.

She felt tears filling her eyes. Oh no, she was going to ruin this too. It was probably one of the best schools in the country. She knew that, and yet she just couldn’t trust it.

–They’re too young, she said and burst into tears.

Walter sighed. –You know, nothing’s ever right for you, is it?

–Walter.

–No, April. I mean it. Everything I do, and it’s never good enough.

–That’s not it at all, Walter.

–Yes it is. I could bring a hundred other women here and they’d all thank me for it. They’d kill to be here, to be in your position. Look at this place. It’s amazing. And now I’m showing you a brochure for one of the best preparatory schools in the country and you haven’t even looked inside it but already you’re fighting it.

–It’s in Greenwood Springs, Walter.

–That’s barely two hours away.

–They’re four and six years old. They’re too young.

–Herb’s kids went there at that age.

–I don’t care what Herb’s kids did.

–Pete’s and Frank’s too. And they’ve all turned out to be shining successes.

–Oh, Walter, please don’t do this. They’re just babies. They need us. I need them.

–It’s already decided, April.

–What do you mean, it’s already decided? They’re our kids.

–It’s already decided. Now please drop it.

April’s head was swimming. How could this be? How could he be taking her babies away from her? How could it already be decided?