THE ART OF FALLING GRACEFULLY by SARAH BETH LEE (novel24 TXT) 📖

to explain it so he would understand, “He always went overboard for Christmas, Birthdays, anniversaries and every other holiday in between. He would buy expensive gifts, plan exotic vacations all over the world and he made sure everyone knew about it. He wanted both of our families, co-workers and friends to think he was this devoted, caring, loving and perfect husband.”

Trent could see the pain shining in the unshed tears swimming in her eyes and he wanted to make it all go away but he had no idea how to do that, “But he wasn’t.”

Sydney shook her head adamantly no, “No he wasn’t. I never cared about any of those things I just wanted to be with someone who loved me for me. Those things were nice but they weren’t given out of love. Besides no one knew who he was behind closed doors. They didn’t see him when he was drunk. They didn’t have to clean the walls when he threw his dinner across the room or pick themselves up off the floor after….’ Sydney’s voice cracked as the tears began to fall and the words refused to come out past the lump in her throat.

Trent was by her side in a heartbeat and he gathered to his chest and held her. He let her cry as he stroked her hair and dried her tears. She felt like a fool standing in her kitchen crying like a baby over a man who didn’t deserve the tears that refused to stop falling.

That was the picture Marley saw as she entered the kitchen. She hoped that Sydney would give Trent a chance; she just knew they would be perfect for each other. She cleared her throat as she entered the room.

“Sorry to interrupt but the pizza will be here in ten minutes. I swear I had no idea that Mr. Varner’s grandson worked at Villa Pizza. Oh and by the way Joey has a thing for you.”

Sydney could feel her face turning a dozen shades of red, “No he doesn’t and why would you even say such a thing?”

Marley smiled smugly, “First he answered the phone with Hey Syd instead of Thanks for calling Villa Piazza, second he wanted to know who I was, third he asked if Rick was still in town and four he wanted to know if you were okay. It was very personal.”

“Marley he’s just a kid.”

Marley feigned surprise, “Really and how old is he because my dear he had a very old and well sexy voice.”

Sydney could feel her face burning as bright as a thousand suns, “Well he starts college in a month.”

Marley did the math that mean he is at least eighteen. He really wasn’t that much younger than Sydney. “Syd you may feel old but in reality he isn’t but four years younger than you.”

Trent didn’t like the direction this conversation was taking, “Marley he’s at least seven years younger than me. I graduated a year behind you guys and I’m twenty-five.”

Marley laughed, “Well actually you’re older than Sydney.”

Trent looked bewildered at Sydney, “Syd just how old are you?”

Sydney blushed she hated talking about her age, “Honestly I will be twenty-two in a couple of months.” She then gave a pointed look at Marley, “And Joey is starting his second year at the University of Kentucky on a basketball scholarship so he’s nineteen.”

Marley was impressed, “Why did he pick Kentucky?”

Sydney shrugged, “They have a tradition of bleeding blue basketball is life in the bluegrass state. They have the best record in the country for basketball and he wanted to be part of that tradition.”

Trent was tugging at the collar that suddenly seemed to be suffocating him. “Sydney how the hell is it even possible that you’re not even twenty-two?”

Sydney avoided making eye contact with Trent for fear of what might be staring back at her. “I started school when I was three and I skipped kindergarten so I graduated the summer before I turned sixteen.”

“How is that even possible?”

“I was unusually smart and when you have my parents they can make anything happen.”

Trent knew Sydney’s family came from old money and they had friends in very high places. Wow he had never realized how young she was and that explained her naïve loyalty to her friends in high school. “I always knew you were smart but wow.”

Sydney shook her head and realized that he might think she was misguided and childish. She had always been wise beyond her years but most people looked at her like a kid playing dress-up. Marley interrupted her thoughts, “so Sydney really Joey is only three years younger than you and I detected some serious vibes over the phone line.”

‘He’s nice but we’re just friends.”

Marley was going to press the issue but the ringing of the doorbell cut her off. Sydney welcomed the escape from the rising temperature in the too small kitchen.

“If you guys will excuse me I am going to get the pizza.”

Sydney dashed out of the kitchen and ran to the front door expecting to see only Joey; what she hadn’t expected was a bouquet of flowers that was sitting on her landing.

“Hey Joey thanks for pizza but you didn’t have to bring flowers”

He handed the boxes to Sydney and shook his head from side to side, “I wish I could take credit for the flowers but they were sitting there when I pulled up.”

Sydney felt a cold chill run up her spine and settle in the pit of her stomach. She handed Joey a twenty and he tried to refuse, “It’s on me.”

Sydney barely heard his muted protests as she folded his hand around the money, ‘Well you keep it then it’s your tip.”

Joey stuffed the money in his pocket and wished Sydney a good night as she was closing the door. Once inside Sydney looked at the dozen blood red roses surrounded with baby’s breath. She could feel her hands trembling she walked on shaky legs the table by the door. She sat the roses down and walked slowly to the kitchen. She paused at the door and drew a deep breath as she composed herself. She pushed the door open with her free hand.

“Pizza’s here.”

She plastered a smile on for the benefit of her friends. She placed the boxes on the kitchen counter while Marley grabbed plates from the cupboard. Sydney’s stomach was rolling and she couldn’t even think of eating now. She opened the fridge and passed out sodas.

“If you guys will give me a minute I need to run upstairs. I’ll be right back.”

Trent and Marley watched her retreating back as she turned and fled the room. Trent could see her attempt at pretending to be calm but he heard the slight hitch in her voice as she tried to sound upbeat and perky. It appeared that Sydney was a terrible actress.

Sydney grabbed the roses and took the stairs two at a time. She ran down the hall and closed herself away in the sanctuary of her room. She sat on her unmade bed and stared at the crystal vase and the beautiful flowers; with unsteady hands she pulled the card from the vase. She could feel tears filling her eyes as she read.

My Dearest Sydney,
I love and miss you so much. You have no idea how
hard this has been on me. I can’t stand to be apart.
I want you to know that I have forgiven you for everything.
I know you couldn’t have meant all those terrible things you said.
I am longing to have you in my arms again, to be with you again.
Sydney it’s time to come home.
Love your husband
Rick

Sydney dropped the card and let the tears fall. Why couldn’t he leave her alone? It had been a year and she hadn’t seen or heard from him; not one letter, not one phone call just blissful silence. It was like he had just disappeared, as if he had never been a part of her life at all. Now he was back and she had no idea why.

Sydney knew Marley would come looking for her soon and she couldn’t stay locked away in her room forever. She really did need to eat but she just needed a few moments alone. She pulled herself off the bed and forced her feet to move. She stopped in the bathroom and splashed water on her washed out face. She then walked down the stairs and joined her friends.

“Hey did you guys save me some pizza?”

She could see Trent and Marley were sitting at the snack bar talking and laughing. They hadn’t even noticed she had left. Sydney knew she was letting her emotions cloud her judgment but it hurt her to see them so chummy. She pushed the word jealousy to the back of her mind. She was not jealous.

“Of course we waited for you. I put the pizza in the oven on low. We always did like left over better remember?”

Sydney nodded her head, “How could I forget all the late night sleepovers and left over pizza for breakfast.”

Trent shook his head, “It’s official you guys are crazy, pizza for breakfast?”

Marley cut him off, “Don’t pass judgment until you try it, it really is better.”

“Fine I’ll try it but I can’t see how it could be better.”

Several hours later Trent finally admitted that they had been right. The three friends had laughed and talked about old times. They had lost all track of time. Sydney had sneaked the flowers outside and thrown them in the trash, she didn’t want Trent or Marley to worry unnecessarily.

“I guess I should clean up the kitchen before calling it a night.”

Trent jumped to his feet, “I’ll help you.”

“Thanks but there’s really not that much left to do.”

Marley followed them into the kitchen, “Then with all of us helping it’ll be finished in a snap.”

Trent grabbed the broom and began to sweep the floor, Sydney put away the leftover pizza and Marley gathered the trash and took it outside. Sydney realized her mistake as soon as she saw the back door close; she knew what Marley would see in the trash dumpster.

Sydney braced herself on the counter as she heard the creak of the backdoor. She raised her head to see Marley as she came through the door carrying the discarded roses. “Syd I take it that the ass isn’t taking the hint.

Sydney looked up and shook her head no, “Obviously not.”

She couldn’t contain her emotions so she ran from the room and to the safety of her room. She threw herself across her bed and dissolved into tears. She cried for the monster that Rick had turned out to be, the essence of the girl she had once been and the love she hid in her broken heart for Trent. She heard footfalls outside her door and a soft knock. She grabbed a Kleenex from the bedside table and called out softly,