The Good Wife (COMPLETE)

Ten

"Find out what?"

His face said it all. He thought I knew something I didn't. He was guilty of something. And for my heart's sake, I didn't want to know. I bolted out of the room and out of the house. I hailed a cab down the street and told them my sister's address. I would come back for what little stuff I owned when he wasn't here.

The front door opened to my tear stained face. Lila didn't say anything-didn't ask anything-she just led me inside. Guiding me to the couch, she gently pushed me down onto the plush cushions. She left the room and I could hear her fumbling in the cupboards. A few minutes later, she came out with a steaming cup of tea. It was in a plastic Minnie Mouse mug and I couldn't help the laughter that burst from me. "Sorry," she said. "It was the only thing clean."

I laughed again, and my laughter slowly turned into full-blown sobs. Big fat tears rolled down my cheeks. Lila took me in her arms and slowly rocked us back and forth.

"What happened?" She asked quietly.

"I was plan-planning on leaving him and told-told him and he basically admitted to something bad," I said through my sobs.

She pulled away and looked down at me. "Something bad? What does that mean?"

I shook my head. "I don't know. I didn't ask and I don't really want to know."

She huffed and her fists curled. "Ooo, that man. Just wait til I get my hands on him."

I wiped my eyes, furiously shaking my head. "Don't do anything stupid, Lila. Please. He's not worth it."

"Okay," she said, not looking convinced. "Do you want me to sit with you and watch TV?"

I nodded and sipped my tea. I giggled a little more at the Minnie Mouse cup. My niece was going to be so jealous that my sister let me use her favorite cup. Lila flipped on the TV and browsed through the channels, settling on a Harry Potter marathon. She threw a blanket over me and I snuggled underneath it, relishing in its' warmth.

"Abby." A voice said with a gentle nudge on my shoulder. "Abby."

I opened my eyes to find my sister shaking me awake.

"You fell asleep on the couch. Come on, I'll help you upstairs to bed."

I slowly unfurled myself and stood, swaying a little. I rubbed my eyes and we headed upstairs to one of Lila's guest rooms. I pulled back the covers and slid right in. Lila threw the duvet over me.

"Do you work tomorrow? Do I need to set an alarm for you?" she asked as I set my phone on the bedside table.

I shook my head no. I was incredibly grateful I didn't have to go tomorrow of all days. I don't think I would have been able face work after all this.

She nodded. "Goodnight, Abby. Just remember, you were always too good for him," my sister whispered to me as she tucked me in like a child. I gazed up at her and she brushed my hair from my face. Leaving a kiss on my forehead, she gave me a gentle smile and left the room.

I woke up early the next morning and rolled around in bed. Tossing and turning, I realized going back to sleep was just not in the cards for me today. My mind was buzzing awake. I sat up, seeing a pair of clothes neatly folded at the foot of the bed. Looking down at myself, I realized I was still in my dress from the night before. I hadn't bothered to pack any clothes. I really hadn't thought I would need them. Yesterday had not gone the way I planned, not at all. Tears pricked my eyes again and I wiped them away.

Sighing, I got changed and headed downstairs. I walked to the kitchen and got a bowl of cereal. Swirling my spoon around, I watched the little granola chunks float around. I sighed, not feeling hungry. I knew my sister would force-feed me though if she had to so I had better just eat. I took a bite, milking somehow dribbling down my chin.

"Auntie A!" a little voice squealed. I looked up to find bouncing curls coming my way.

"Rory!" I said, wiping my mouth and opening my arms to my little four-year old niece. "How are you, sweetheart?"  She came crashing into them and I scooped her up onto my lap.

"What is you doing here?" she asked me, her big, bright eyes wide.

"I'm staying here with you and mommy and daddy for a little."

"Like a seepover?"

"Yeah, like a sleepover," I said, smiling.

"YAY!" She squealed, throwing her little arms around me and hugging me tight.

My sister walked in just then, her heels clicking in the floor.

"Morning Abby. Did you sleep okay?" She asked, pouring herself some coffee.

"Yes, thank you."

"Hi girls," Scott, Lila's husband, said, rushing in. "Oh, hi Abby," he added, spotting me. "I didn't know you were here." He quickly got a travel mug from the cupboard and poured some coffee in. "I'm sorry I can't stay to chat. I'm running late. I'll see you all later!" He threw a wave over his shoulder, blew some air kisses at us, and was out the door.

"That man," Lila said, shaking her head. "I swear he could wake up at the crack of dawn and still be running late. Heck, he sets four alarms for himself in the morning."

Rory giggled and I joined her. I got her her own bowl of cereal and we ate and watched as my sister made hers and Rory's lunch for the day. She slathered peanut butter onto a slice of bread, slapped two pieces together, and threw them into a brown paper bag, rolling the top down.

"Alright, sweetheart. It's time to go to school. Grab your shoes and Mommy will help you put them on."

Rory jumped down off her stool and her little feet pattered across the floor to the front door.

"Are you going to be okay here by yourself?" Lila asked from the doorway.

"Yeah, I'll be okay. Don't worry about me."

"Call me if you need anything though alright? The office number is on the fridge."

"Thanks sis," I said, hugging her and then shooing her out the door. I closed the door behind her and walked to sit on the couch. The sudden silence of the house was deafening.

I took the remote from the coffee table and flipped the TV on, changing the channels before I settled on some home renovation show. It didn't last long before I got bored. The feelings of loneliness began creeping in again and I tried to find a movie to keep myself busy. There was really nothing on though so, I decided to straighten up the house a little instead. That managed to kill some time and I settled into making dinner for everyone when they got home.

Sitting down at the table with Lila, Rory, Scott, I knew this was where I was supposed to be. That being here was better for me than being at home. But it didn't make me miss home, or even Mark, any less. It didn't hurt any less either. And it probably wouldn't for awhile.