Abby continued to push Hannah on the swing. When she saw Ian approaching she could tell something was wrong.
“So, what did they say?” Abby asked.
Ian ran his hand through his hair.
“They said yes to some filming in Boston, but the majority would have to be in Washington.”
Tears prickled Abby’s eye.
“So when do you have to leave?”
“Four weeks.”
“And for how long?”
Ian sighed. “Two months.”
Abby nodded. There was nothing else to say.
“Abby, what are you thinking?” Ian asked her concerned by her silence.
“You don’t want to know,” Abby said quietly.
She didn’t think their marriage would last through another long period without him.
“All done,” Hannah said Abby scooped her out of the baby swing and carried her to the benches.
Ian sat next to her.
“I don’t know what to say Ian. I know that you have signed on for these movies, but I just…I don’t know.” Abby said.
“Why don’t we talk when we get home,” Ian said.
Abby nodded and they headed back.
It was dinnertime and Denise had left for the day. Abby got to work making dinner while Ian played with Hannah.
Abby slammed the cabinet doors as she got out the pans.
She’s pissed Ian thought. He was right.
Abby didn’t know how to explain to him how she felt. Abandoned was the only word that came to her mind.
They ate dinner in silence. Afterward Abby settled onto the couch to watch television while Ian got Hannah ready for bed. Abby offered but he said he would do it.
Abby thought about what it would mean to have Ian gone for two months. Although she would be working during the day, she and Hannah would come home to an empty house. She placed her hands over her face and wept.
When Ian came down the stairs he saw that Abby was crying.
Shit he thought.
He sat next to her and wrapped his arms around her, letting her cry into his chest.
“It’s going to be ok, Beautiful.”
Abby shook her head. “No, it isn’t. This has to stop. I can’t…I just can’t!” she cried.
Ian tilted her chin up so she was looking in his eyes. “Abby, there has to be some way to make this work. I know I will be gone for a while, but I will call every day.”
Wooptie do Abby thought.
“It’s not the same Ian. I need you here not on the phone.”
Ian nodded. He knew she wouldn’t take any of this well.
“Do you think you would be able to come with me to Washington?”
Abby laughed. “No, I don’t. I like my job and don’t want to lose it. I don’t have enough time to take off.”
“But, you don’t have to work,” Ian said and immediately regretted it. Abby’s face turned red as she got angry.
