The Hadyns [ON HOLD]

Chapter 8

VALERIE

"Come back into chair pose, and exhale..." 

I took in a deep breath, following my yoga instructor. I rarely ever take a class, preferring my own home practice. Always one to learn on my own, I figured I'd get my yoga license because, why not?

I realize that, as an independent learner, getting yoga certification is contradictory considering you have to spend over one hundred hours in classes. But, now, when I say I'm doing yoga alone, no one can question me.

Why?

Because, I know what I'm doing.

I spent hours in classes to know what I'm doing. So, what can-

"Taking a deep breath, make your way into downward dog. Place your hands on your mat, taking your time and going at your own pace..." The instructor said calmly.

I was quick, already in downward dog by the time she'd completed her sentence. 

This is nice. Some time to myself, away from stress, out of the house...

Away from Monica.

"Ah ow..." I looked over at a man next to me, wincing in pain as he grabbed his hip.

I whispered, pretty sure I was the only one who heard his cries of pain, "are you alright?"

"I'm fine." He smiled, adjusting himself into position once again.

I looked forward, sighing.

The simple thought of her has someone in pain...

Maybe I shouldn't have been avoiding her, but I definitely needed some time. I mean, who's happy that their partner is cheating on them?! How the hell does that make you rich? I had spent hours of my life waiting with her for...

I'm so confused.

"I promise I'll explain everything, Val. But, we gotta get going," Monica bobbed up and down in the passenger's seat with excitement. I looked over at her, completely dumbfounded.

"What are you talking about?"

"Valerie, drive!"

I took in a deep breath, then sighed again. That memory replayed over and over in my head many times. It wasn't the "we're gonna be rich" part that was confusing me, but the "how"! What does her cheating fiance do for my life?

And I felt bad. 

I wasn't talking about it with Eric, who seemed to be getting concerned. I would be, too, if I were him. All of a sudden I was doing loads of work as though our lives depended on it. And, for what?

God knows.

******

"Pizza, pizza, pizza, pizza-"

"Stop it, Prim. That's annoying," Nosh groaned, looking out of the window at the backseat of our SUV.

We were on our way to Pizza Hut, my treat to the family. It was also an apology for working so much this past week and a half. Eric definitely appreciated it, his last time at Pizza Hut having been over a year ago.

And the kids?

I think it's obvious they were over the moon. We rarely eat out, so...

"Honey, why are you acting sour? Your sister is just excited," I told Nosh, looking at the kids through the rear view.

"We're all excited, mommy. He's just pretending he isn't," Josh told me, smiling over at his brother.

"I'm not- Stop tickling me- Josh!" Nosh started laughing as he was attacked with tickles by his twin. Eventually, the sour patch had dissolved from this kid, a large smile on his face.

"Pizza!" Prim and Noah exclaimed, pointing outside of the right-side window.

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