Saturday finally came around, and it was Jack and I's date night. I figured I would stop at the store and pick up a new outfit for tonight and then we could head out, assuming Alex and Allison came to the house on time.
After getting out of work, I drove to an outlet store and walked in, not quite sure what I wanted to buy. Having no idea of where we were going to go or what we were going to do, left me clueless. Instead, after an hour of browsing, I had bought a few jeans, t-shirts and a couple dresses that went just below my knees. I had fought my urge to buy shoes, considering we could fill a whole room of them, and headed for the check out.
After paying a nice price tag, I headed out the door and called Jack. After about six rings, he finally picked up. "Hey! No! Xavier! Put that down! Hello?" He finally asked.
"Hey," I said. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah. Kids are just really excited to see Aunt Allison and Uncle Alex. Kind of over-excited, actually. How are you?"
"I'm okay. I just got done shopping, and I'm on my way home." I put the keys in the ignition and headed out of the parking lot.
"Shopping? Again? Didn't you just go last week?" Jack sounded upset, but I knew exactly how to calm him down.
"Well, yeah. I know. I'll clean out some of the stuff that I don't need. You know. Those clothes that are too big for me? Go donate them or something."
"I guess. But I do want to talk to you about that tonight. Okay?"
I just sighed, merging onto the highway and agreeing just to make him not bring it up over the phone again. "Alright, Jack. Whatever you say, babe. I have to go, though, I'm on the highway and there looks like there's a crash ahead. Love you."
"Love you, too. Bye."
After we hung up the phones, I shook my head. I really hated lying to Jack, but I didn't really have anything else to say, and I kind of did want to enjoy the silence while I still could.
Relaxing as I drove, I went through in my head what I would throw away. Probably my frumpy sweats and those god-awful old lady shit.
Finally pulling into the drive, I saw Allison's car and smiled. I missed her so much, it almost hurt. But I was glad to be seeing her again. Grabbing my bags, I headed inside and almost got ran over by my little ones. "Mommy!" They screamed as they each hugged a leg.
"Hey, guys. How are you?"
"Good! Uncle Alex gave us chocolate!" Xavier said. I perked an eyebrow at him as he smiled. I held my own and took a deep breath in and out slowly as I walked into the bedroom, Allison following quickly.
"What did you buy?" Allison asked as she smiled.
"Nothing really. Shirts, jeans and a couple dresses."
"Isn't Jack pissed?"
I nodded, "Yeah, but we made a rule. Every time I go shopping, I have to donate some of my old clothes. It's really a fair trade, since once I get new clothes, I never wear the older ones. Especially the ones that no longer fit me."
"Still?"
"Yeah. I'm really having a hard time. Kids don't know about it, really, but at the same time, I wish they did. I'm still healthy, but I just don't feel that I am where I'm suppose to be."
"Well, Emily... You're what? A size 2?"
"Sadly. I'm trying to get down, but my damn hips--"
"Just stop, please? Jack and you are going out tonight, forget about all that stuff. If Jack didn't love you, he wouldn't be with you."
