After the Storm {Book 2}

Chapter 13: The Other Side of Heather

Over the next few days, I'd spent my time couped up in my room alone with my own thoughts. The thought of Cindy never coming back to me continued to haunt me and poison my mind. Yolanda and I had shared awkward glances at work and she'd even tried to lure me into her office a few times. However, I always rejected her "quickies".

It was finally the weekend. The weekend that Cindy, Annah, Ryan, Chris and I were supposed to be taking a trip to the mountains.

Their excitement crushed my heart when I picked Ryan up from his grandmother's.

"Are we leaving now?! Huh? Are we leaving!" Ryan said jumping up and down. Chris came downstairs once he heard me come in. His excitement followed.

I looked over at Heather, who in return gave me a knowing look as she lit yet another cigarette.

Before I came to her house, I had called her and told her what happened ; including my affair with Yolanda. She didn't seem surprised, figuring I would "cheat on the girl someday". She was never  too fond of Cindy, even though she'd only seen her at the funeral for a few seconds.

"Um, we will have to discuss that later." I cut my eyes.

Chris shrugged and hopped on the couch next to Ryan.

The usual smell of cigarette smoke filled the room and I tried my best not to go into a coughing fit.

I don't see how the kids or even her, tolerate this everyday. It's unbearable.

"I heard Alea came by here the other day?" I said.

Heather shifted in her seat and shot a look at Chris and Ryan. "Go upstairs, boys. Grown folks' talk time."

"Aw, but I wanna' go to the mountains!" Chris cried.

"You're gonna' be goin' to find a switch if you don't get on," Heather stated firmly.

Chris sighed, knowing her words had potential actions. "Come on, Ryan. I gotta' show you the books I got at school!"

They both proceeded up the stairs.

Heather averted her attention back to me. "Yes, that girl came by here. 'Had to talk to me about somethin'."

I nodded and rubbed my hands together.

"She must have told you."

I looked up at her. "Yeah."

She set her cigarette down on the tray and shook her head. "Such a shame. The girl is a mess."

"I didn't know you and Alea were friends."

"Friends?" She smirked and shook her head. "I just appreciate her kindness in watching after the kids while Bridget was in the hospital."

She went on, "I don't know why she trusts me with what she's told me. I never knew her until a few months ago. She came by here to see the kids and make sure they were doing OK. Ever since, she's had some kind of connection with me. Not exactly sure why, though."

I thought of Alea's mother. "Maybe it has something to do with her mom."

She perked up, her interest growing. "Her mom?"

"She died several years ago."

Silence overtook the room. "That's too bad." she finally said, sympathetically.

"Maybe you remind her of her mother in some way."

"Hm." She got up. "Want a drink?"

"Yeah, that would be fine." I got up and followed her into the kitchen.