What Knot

1

Sierra

  I have been trying to call Patrick for an hour! Today is our fourth wedding anniversary and he knows that we have reservations at Magnolia. The reservation is in half an hour, so I get my keys and leave as I leave another message in his voicemail. "Patrick! I will meet you at the restaurant. If I end up eating alone, we won't make a fifth wedding anniversary." I hang up and drive the ten minutes to park at my favorite place in the entire city. I spot Patrick's car as I walk into the door.

  "Welcome to Magnolia! Name please." The host says.

  "Sierra Miller. I have a reservation for two." I reply with a smile.

  He checks his list. "There seems to be some sort of mix up. I already have you as canceled." He looks back to me.

  "There must be some mistake sir. I didn't cancel. I also saw my husband's car outside. Did the reservation get changed to his name by any chance?"

  "No ma'am. We don't do that. What is your husband's name?"

  "Patrick Miller." I look around and see Patrick. "Oh! There he is!" Before I can say anything else. My best friend joins Patrick and he kisses her as he sits her down. They are holding hands and smiling as they talk. "Never mind. I won't disturb him. Thank you. Can you put the cancellation fee on his tab?" The host looks at me with concern. "If he wants to cancel my reservation and bring another woman here, he should pay the fee."

  "Yes, of course! I wish that there was something else that I could do." He tells me kindly. Then we both look at the offender. Patrick puts a bracelet on Rebecca's wrist and kisses the inside of the wrist. Just like he does mine.

  I turn back to the host. "Thank you for your help. Have a good evening." I walk away. With my head held high and shoulders straight.

  "Thank you ma'am. I hope your's improves." I hear him. I wave to acknowledge that I heard.

I go home and call Patrick again as I pour myself some wine. This time I leave a different message. "I saw you at the restaurant with Becca. I will have your bags packed and on the front lawn waiting on you. I wish you both well."

  I carry my wine into our bedroom with some large garbage bags and proceed to throw his expensive suits into them. After a half hour, I'm almost finished. All that is left is his underwear, socks and ties.

  My thoughts are all over the place. I have run the entire spectrum of emotions. Shock, betrayal, anger, hurt. I decide that I need something stronger than wine. I go downstairs for the whiskey. As I was pouring, I see a picture of our last vacation in Italy. I pick it up and anger takes my mind. I smash the offensive picture frame then rip the photo into small bits. Next was our wedding picture. I didn't stop until there wasn't a single picture of him, left in the den.

  I proceed to get drunk and fall asleep on the sofa. The doorbell woke me up from my stupor. I've never been a heavy sleeper, no matter the situation. I get up and check the camera. It is the police. What now?!

  "Who is it?" I ask out of habit.

  "Lyden Sheriff's Office." One of them answered.

  I opened the door. "How can I help you?"

  They both show me their badges. "Mrs. Miller, may we come in? We have news of your husband."

  I nod and open the door wider. After shutting the door, I lead them to the den. Only then do I remember the mess that I made. We sat down facing each other. "Please excuse the mess. You said that you have news. Is he in jail?"