Blainsville

15) Separation

John

I hung up the phone once I realized she hung up on me first. I had a bad feeling about this something kept telling me I'm positive that Jess was leaving me and taking Lindsey with her. I had done nothing wrong it wasn't like I called her crazy even though it was genetic in her family. Jessica was essentially raised by her Nona Clarice because her biological mom was bipolar and extremely abusive toward Jess and her older sister, Candy. They were removed from her mom's custody at ten when the school noticed that they were always covered in bruises. If Jess was afraid she was becoming her mother she was dead wrong. She had never mistreated our children or even raised a hand to them she had a slip up but that's what Rhea's death was basically an accident. My whole world was coming to an end on me and there was nothing I could do except stand back and watch it happen. I made it obvious that I didn't wanna be bothered when I put my do not disturb sign on the doorknob, but Diana of coarse didn't think I was serious. "John, is everything ok? I'm just asking I didn't hear anything." She glances down at her shoes. If I answered right now she would know I had been crying and I couldn't freak Diana out like that, "I'm fine... Thanks for asking. Why don't you go pick up James I can hold the fort down for a few." "Well alright if you insist." Diana replies back. I think it would be best if I left for the day I was too stressed and fear was filling me, "I'm going to close up for the day; dealing with some personal problems. We can pick up where we left off tomorrow." I say packing some files and my notebook in my briefcase. For all I know I may not be back for awhile this was too much to bear. I could hear diana shuffling around her stuff so she could leave I came back from my office carrying my stuff. "Oh god you look sad... What happened?" Diana asks in a panic I decide not to answer instead I walk past her, "John? What happened between you two?" She pries again now I was getting irritated, "Nothing is wrong, Diana! Ok?! Everything's fine I just have to go home. Its not your business so dont worry about it." I snap heading outside; leaving diana confused. I know I sounded like a total dick right now but I couldnt help it. Diana was always a bit too nosy then again she was Jessica's friend and our children basically replaced her desire to have children so I couldn't be upset at her she was only trying to be caring. "What about James's sonogram? I thought you wanted to do that this afternoon?" I pause, "Look; schedule him in for tomorrow morning ok? I really dont have time to argue with you right now." I snap again unaware of how much of a true dick I was actually being. Diana threw her petticoat on and rushed silently out the door. I didnt care how could I when my fucking wife was in the process of leaving me? Diana got in her car before me and immediately sped off no doubt hurt by my choice of tone. She didnt deserve that I know she didnt but it was just coming up the truth. I get in my car next sit just a moment trying to gather my thoughts and emotions if I was being honest to myself this wasnt over not by a mile.

Jimmy

The encounter with Howard like talking to anyone you dont know too well was awkward. Then again anyone I talked to said Howard was a character he was new around here and tended to keep to himself thia was probably the first and only time we have a conversation. "So you're due around the same time as I am? Small world." I add as were standing outside the building waiting for Diana to cone get me. It was a little bit colder but I wanted to avoid being inside as much as possible after Mr. Brody chewed my ass out. It began something like this; Howard and I were still in the bathroom our secrets exposed only to each other when Mr. Brody comes barging in, "What the fuck was that all about?! You threw up all over my clients wife and yet alone she had a brand new outfit! Are you two fucking dense?! If you knew you were gonna be sick why didnt you just run out of the room?! I swear to God I hire dumbasses!" He rants. We just stand there and let his large, greedy talons rip into my fragile flesh there was nothing I could do now but pretend to listen. "Mr. Brody I can explain... I brought that doctors note cause I'm sick... I have some kind of super bug thats going around. It causes a lot of vomiting and nausea so I'm not allowed to come back until its cured. It might be a little over a month..." Now hes really pissed off, "A month? A month?! What the hell am I gonna do without you for over a month?! I cant just fucking hire someone on such short notice. God Damn it, Bloom! What the fuck are you doing in here, Price?! Get the hell out!" Howard lowers his head and walks by Mr. Brody. "I cant help that I'm so sick, Mr. Brody I didnt know I was gonna have a situation earlier if I did I would never have went up there in the first place." He takes a huge sigh, "I dont care what the hell kind of flu you have! You're lucky I dont fire your ass for this... But I'm not. I cant even if I wanted to because I'd be facing a law suit. So tell you what, this time you take off what you need. I expect a drawing board plan for their commercial. You got three weeks I'll have you email it to me and you'll be presenting it as well. You got three fucking weeks, Bloom or you will be gone so fast it'll make your head spin." He concludes storming off back to the clients. Thats why howard and I are standing outside in 40 degree weather waiting for Diana to show up. "Have You thought of any names yet?" He asks leaning against the wall. As cold as it was I'm surprised we werent huddled together for warmth but I wasnt comfortable about that prospect, "Eh I have one name I thought sounded very mature, Alan. As for Diana shes probably got like thousands of them already planned out. She really wants a pair of girls I would be content with a boy and a girl." Howard quickly glances at me then slowly glances down to what I was hiding under my trench coat. "Oh, youre having twins? Wow. Thats a big accomplishment do you two have any other kids?" I shake my head, "Oh hell no! These are our first. We tried for awhile maybe a few years after we first got married. But we found out that Diana has some medical problem that prevents her from carrying a baby to term. I'm so fucking miserable half the time; my feet are frozen and numb this place sucks." He chuckles, "I cant say I know the feeling I'm only having one baby but I swear it feels like I have to pee every 10 minutes its annoying. My wife and I already have a little boy hes going to be four in a month." I can see the wheels turning at the happy thought. "Well happy early birthday to him. Where the hell is she? Its almost noon she better not have forgotten me." I say pacing i figured if I kept moving back and fourth I wouldnt be as cold anymore and my hips wouldnt be feeling like theyre crushing me together to the middle. "Do you need a ride? Cause its no trouble at all. Where do you live?" This was already too weird and too close for comfort but a ride is a ride and it kept me from looking like a desperate moron who should have took a cab. "Blainsville its a tiny town an hour outside of here. I'll even pay for the gas there." Howard quickly shakes his head, "Keep your money consider it a good deed. I'll go get the car and come back this way." I nod. For a really quiet guy he was pretty chill it made me feel bad that I never talked to him more often.