Too Broken to Love

2

As my patrol shift finally ended, I drove home completely exhausted. As usual on my way home I made a quick pit stop at the local store to grab the kids some candy for after dinner. This was my way of making it up to them that I wasn't home to help with their homework, or eat dinner with them.

I know Chris isn't going to let them eat it until tomorrow, especially since I have to go work at the restaurant until two AM, but at least they will know its there for when they wake up.

When I finally pull into driveway, Chris is standing at the grill on the porch with a few of his friends as all the kids run around in the yard. As I walk over to them I smile at Chris and he returns the gesture.

"You didn't tell me that you were having people over or I could have grabbed some stuff on the way home!" I tried to sound pleasant. It had been a while since I had seen Chris this relaxed and happy. He moved towards me and gave me a peck on the cheek.
"Don't worry about it, I knew you had a long day and you have to work tonight. The guys just came by for the game in a little while" he stated before turning back to the grill.
'Shit the game!' I thought as I mentally groaned. "I totally forgot about the game tonight! I guess I'm not getting off at two anymore!"
"yeah probably not!" he said nonchalantly as if he didn't really care what time I came home.
"Well I guess I need to go change and get ready, I have to leave in an hour or so." I said as I walked into the house. Of course no one even blinked at my departure. Why would they? They weren't here for me, they were here for Chris and the free food!

I continued into the house and upstairs into the bedroom to change. After looking through the closet and not finding any of my plain black work shirts, I looked in the clean laundry basket sitting on the bed.

As I pulled out clothes something small and animal print fell out of the basket wrapped up in my work shirt. I threw my shirt on before walking back to clean up the clean clothes on the bed. As I began throwing the clothes back into the basket I picked up the animal print fabric and instantly gasped throwing it across the room.

"Seriously a thong?" As I realized what the thong was, along with the certainty that its not mine I could feel my eyes pricking with tears, although I still wasn't sure if it was from the hurt, betrayal, or anger. I quickly reached up to fan my eyes, I couldn't leave the house and risk the kids seeing me upset.

I took a look in the mirror of the bathroom before walking back through the bedroom. I picked up the thong and quietly placed it into Chris's underwear drawer. I know he always changes his socks before bed and I want him to get the message that I know he is an asshole!.

I went downstairs after placing the thong right where Chris was sure to find it, even though I doubt it will surprise him too much, I mean he washed and dried the clothes so he must have seen it in there.

"Kids I'm leaving" I yelled. It took a few seconds for all three kids to each run up, giving hugs and kisses before I walked back out on the porch. I didn't look at Chris or his friends as I walked to my car, but I did throw out a 'I'm leaving see you later' before promptly getting in my car and backing out of the driveway.

As I made the drive to the restaurant the floodgates filled with pain, anger, and the reality of my life, broke sending wave after wave of choking sob sounds out of my mouth, and causing my body to shake uncontrollably. It truly was a miracle that I even managed to make it to work without causing some kind of car wreck!.

I sat in my car for a few moments trying to calm myself down before walking into work. After my breathing was back to normal, I tried my best to fix my makeup. When I looked in the mirror I realized that it would take more than some tissue to fix the puffiness around my eyes, and red hue that had overtaken the white of my eyes so I quickly got out of my car and rushed into the restaurant, hopeful that one of the girls may have some makeup I could borrow to fix up my face a little more.