It Was Always You

Chapter One: Everything Has Changed

New York City is one place among many where people would love to spend at least one New Year's Eve in their lifetime. For Jane Adler, the city served as a memory-trigger. Each return visit conjured up memories of her formative years, memories from over half a lifetime ago. Her recollections remained vivid, as though recalling something recent, despite the intervening years. Every time she returned, her thoughts drifted to him, for he was a common denominator in those happy times. Eighteen months ago they last saw each other and while they kept in contact through regular emails and phone-calls, it wasn't enough. Jane missed him so much that it pained her. However, she wasn't in New York to see him, if only.

In fact, Jane was taking what she privately called a make-or-break vacation with Jake, her husband of thirty years. Despite not living at home anymore, Lauren, Gabby and Luke sensed their parents weren't getting along so, along with Harley, staged an intervention. This break, they hoped, would enable them to spend quality time together, reconnect and work things out. Sure, Jane and Jake could afford to pay for themselves, but the gesture didn't go unappreciated. As soon as the children announced they were heading to New York though, Jane got cold feet. As a couple, they had no connection to the city and Jane didn't want her happy memories tarnished by her husband. Their relationship had hit an all-time low point in recent weeks; Jake had cheated with an intern at work, an intern young enough to be one of his daughters. Jane reckoned the kids would have thought twice about an intervention if they discovered the truth. She wanted to tell them, but decided against it. There seemed no point in doing so until it became a necessity.

After much soul-searching since discovering Jake's infidelity, Jane had reached a crossroads; she wanted to give their marriage a second chance, but realised she would have to forgive Jake before they moved forward. She wasn't sure she could do it. This break, she hoped, would help her decide once and for all.

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Jane emerged from the shower, covered herself with a fluffy towel from the rail while she rubbed her hair dry with another smaller towel. Once done, Jane's hair fell into loose curls over her bare shoulders. She glanced up at her reflection in the bedroom mirror. She had a lot on her mind but despite that, she looked as beautiful as ever, even if she didn't feel it. Jane felt neglected and the simple fact was that Jake just didn't fully appreciate her anymore. She threw both towels back into the shower, then pulled her robe tightly around her otherwise naked body before striding out.

It did not surprise Jane that Jake remained where she had left him; rooted to the sofa engrossed in whatever he was watching. "Have we got plans for tonight Jake?" she questioned, making her presence known.

Jake glanced in his wife's direction, "tonight?" he responded, pausing while scanning his mental diary.

Jane nodded, "it's New Year's Eve, we're in New York, let's go celebrate,"

Jake hated New York, he didn't want to celebrate the dawn of a new year in a city he despises. "I've got a headache," he lied, reaching for his temple and massaging it to add to the allusion, "can't we stay in? Watch a movie or something?"

Jane rolled her eyes, knowing full well that her husband had no such headache. "Excuses, excuses," she commented sarcastically, "anyone would think you didn't want to spend any time with me."

Her tone flew from sarcasm to sadness in a flash, the quick turnaround even took Jake by surprise. "It's not that –"

"What is it then?" Jane interrupted.

"I hate New York, why would I want to celebrate New Year in a place I despise?"

"Can you not pretend to like it? Imagine how the kids and Harley with react if we go back and you tell them you didn't enjoy it,"