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Alex made a noise she couldn’t quite interpret.
Her husband was a leading plastic surgeon in the Hollywood community and had worked on many stars in his practice. The money he brought in had made it easy for her to stay home and raise their two children.
But the hours he worked were sometimes long, and he often came home exhausted. Lately, he seemed to work longer and longer, though he’d promised her he was going to cut back his hours.
In the twenty years they’d been married, she often wondered if she’d traded love for money. Their marriage was good, but they spent so little time together, with him working so many hours. Sometimes it felt like they were two individual people living in the same house.
And there were days she felt lonely. If not for the kids, she would spend her evenings alone. And even they were growing up and moving on with their lives. Taylor would soon finish her second year of college, and next fall, Alex would be going to a university.
“How’s the team doing?”
“If we continue to win, we should make the high school playoffs,” he said, staring out the window.
Alex was normally so happy and excited and eager to talk, but in the last two months, he’d withdrawn into himself and she couldn’t find a way to bring him out. The kid should be so excited about his team making the playoffs, and yet he didn’t act like he cared.
Something was eating at her son and she missed the happy-go-lucky young man who was eager to begin his life.
“That’s great news,” she said. “When’s your next game? Maybe me and your dad can both attend.”
Ryan had only made it to one game. One, and soon their son’s season and high school career would be at an end. Sometimes she hated Ryan’s job, even though their life was luxurious because of his career.
That didn’t excite Alex and she knew she had to learn what troubled him.
Sometimes she wished Ryan was an accountant or even a salesman and not a busy doctor.
Maybe after Alex graduated, she would get them reservations at Cozumel and take the kids down to the beach. She doubted that Ryan would take the time off. But it would be good to spend some time with her children.
The thought of Madison crossed her mind and she wondered if she would like to go with them.
“That would be nice,” he said. “The next game is Saturday morning.”
That was Ryan’s tee time. Surely he could give up golfing one Saturday for his son. But nothing came between Ryan and his golf.
They pulled into the drive and the gate opened automatically. She pulled into the back garage. The pool man had been here today, and maybe later tonight, she’d get in the water and swim a few laps.
Closing the garage door, they both exited the car and walked into the house, entering through the laundry room.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Moss, Alex,” the maid said to her. “Dinner is in the oven. I’m leaving for the day.”
“Thank you, Esmeralda,” she said softly.
Alex walked past the woman and that was so unusual for him. Normally he would hug Esmeralda and tell her the cooking was divine. But not today.
Glancing at her son, Jennifer was worried. Maybe it was time to suggest counseling. Anything to keep his grades from falling even further. Anything to keep him from losing his scholarship. Anything to bring the boy she loved back to her.
“Good night,” Esmeralda called as she exited the back door.
Jennifer walked into the massive kitchen and there was a salad sitting out and a casserole ready to turn on in the oven.
“Mom,” Alex said, walking back into the kitchen. “Coach said I had to give you this.”
She glanced at the envelope he held in his hand.
Taking it, she opened it to the letter inside.
“Damn it, Alex,” she said as she read the letter. “What is going on?”
He shrugged. “Don’t know.”
