A Fresh Start

The Calm

Author's Note: I own nothing. I just like to play with the characters that were created by Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

This story is kind of cathartic for me and it's based in real life. Rated M for future lemons.

Chapter 2: The Calm

"We need to talk, Bella," Mike said, not looking me in the eyes. He idly played with the beer bottle in his hands.

"Yes, we do," I said as I sat down. "I don't know what happened to us, but this is not working."

"No, it's not," he said. "I've been sleeping around, Bella. I've been cheating on you for the past year."

"What?" I said in disbelief. "Who?"

"Jessica Stanley," he whispered. "She just left."

"What the fuck? Jessica fucking Stanley," I roared. "You've been fucking Jessica fucking Stanley?" I pushed away from the counter and began pacing. "You're unbelievable. It's one thing to not stay in a marriage, but it's another to fucking cheat."

"Bella...I'm..."

"Get out, Michael," I sneered. "Never come back."

He looked at me and his eyes were filled with resignation and sadness. He placed his key onto the kitchen counter and pushed away from the table. I didn't notice when I walked in that he had several bags packed and they were sitting by the front door. "I'm sorry, Bella. So sorry."

"Too late for that," I snarled. "Get. Out."

He sighed and gathered his things. He quietly left my house and pulled out of the driveway and out of my life, forever.

Two Months Later:

"We want to thank Mrs. Newton. Erm. Ms. Swan for all of her help for our production of Once on this Island, Jr.," Rebecca said in her sweet soprano. "You have made us all such good actors and actresses. We appreciate it. Thank you, Ms. Swan."

Rebecca handed me a large bouquet of flowers and gave me a warm hug. I was numb, but her flub didn't go unnoticed. As soon as Mike left, I changed my name back to Swan. I didn't want to be associated with that weasel. Jessica also announced her immediate resignation when I returned to school. After Mike leaving, I fell apart and didn't leave the house for nearly a week. It took Alice's threats of burning down the house to finally to get me to leave. I immediately put the house on the market and actually found a buyer. I was selling it at a loss, but I needed to be rid of the monstrosity.

"Ms. Swan?" Rebecca asked.

"Oh, sorry, sweetie," I replied, shaking my head. "Thank you for the lovely flowers and the kind words."

"You're welcome," she smiled. She gave me another hug and the cast all threw flowers at my direction, a cast tradition at Cherry Blossom Middle School. I laughed and took the pummeling of flowers in stride. After a quick glance at my sound person, the bows music came on again and the cast broke into their final number a second time. I joined them, in my tone-deafness, enjoying the moment of normalcy. The song ended and the house lights came up. The cast scattered to their families and I walked up to Alice and Jasper. His arm was securely around hers and they were talking to a set of parents.

"There she is," Alice smiled. "Another wonderful show, Ms. Swan."

"Thank you, Ms. Cullen," I answered. The parents gushed their congratulations and I could tell they were impressed. I knew I needed to pour myself into something. It happened to be this show. The kids took to my new fervor quickly and it was the best show to date. I put on a smile and decided to check on the students in the dressing rooms. It was closing night of the show and I wanted to make sure all of the costumes were put away properly and the classrooms we used were not completely trashed. I left Angela in charge of them, but being a type-A personality, I had to do it myself to ensure it was done correctly.