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Center Point

By Nancy J. Farrier

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The doorbell rang. For the fifth time. Five times! Seriously! Why couldn’t he just leave her alone?
Glenna Mitchell flipped the locks—newly installed—and yanked on the knob. “Just leave me alo—” Her face flamed as she stared at her sister, Cinda, instead of—him. Jeffrey. Her husband.
The rat. 
The rat she missed with a soul-deep ache.
“Nice to see you too.” Cinda smirked. “I’m guessing all those ‘I’m fine. No worries’ texts are just so much hogwash, as Dad would have said. You look like something...”
“Something the ocean spit out. I know.” Glenna stepped back. No getting out of it. She would have to endure this visit from her sister. Her do-gooder sister. Who really did care and wanted the best for Glenna. “The best” being a subjective term. Because the meaning had changed these past weeks. Now that term meant surviving one day at a time.
Or one minute at a time.
Cinda strode in, and Glenna glanced out to see if Asia, their half-sister, had come too. Cinda rarely visited without Asia.
“Asia’s gone with Ian to visit Joy. She’s home from the hospital and staying with a friend near Santa Barbara.” 
“Leaving you to be nosy and check up on me.” Glenna huffed a laugh as she bypassed Cinda to pull some mugs from the cabinet and fish out Cinda’s favorite coffee. Asia and her fiancé, Ian, had postponed their wedding because Joy, Asia’s mother-by-love, the woman who raised her when her mother wasn’t able, had been in an accident. It was nice to hear that Joy wasn’t in the hospital anymore. Glenna put the tiny cup in the machine, set the mug on the plate, and hit the button before turning back to her sister.
“What is it?” Why? Why did she have to start the conversation? Cinda’s objective was as obvious as a float in a parade. Talking about Jeffrey and Glenna’s marriage would be the topic of the day. Just as it was every time they met lately. Why couldn’t they focus on something else and leave the painful subject of her ruined marriage alone?
Newly in love with her fiancé, Daniel, Cinda thought every relationship should be wrapped in hearts and flowers. That you only had to fix him a good meal, show some affection—well, maybe significant affection, since she and Jeffrey were married—and the husband would be yours forever. That was all well and good if he was really your husband.
But, Jeffrey? Sure, they’d been married for ten years, but had they? If they were, then where did this other woman come from? The one who claimed she and Jeffrey had been married longer and were the legal couple. 
The woman who wanted to steal Jeffrey away. 
Who wanted to rip Glenna’s world—and her heart—to shreds. Said heart clenched at the thought.
The aroma of fresh coffee filtered through the air, to the sound of liquid dribbling into the mug. Glenna’s stomach twisted, and she swallowed hard. These days, food, and even her favorite morning beverage, made her nauseous.
“Glenna, you’ve lost weight again. You have to eat more.” Cinda’s blue eyes narrowed as she studied her sister. “Let’s go for some breakfast. Or better yet, sit down and I’ll make us an omelet to share.”
“You aren’t meeting Daniel?” She had to sidetrack her sister from this mission of mercy. Eating would only mean a quick trip to the bathroom to bring back up what little she’d managed to get down. Because very little stayed down these days. Stress and her stomach were the worst of enemies.
“He’s working this morning. We’re meeting for dinner tonight, though.” Cinda glowed as if she’d swallowed a star. 
Had she ever been that in love with Jeffrey? Probably not. She and Jeffrey agreed to marry because it made sense. They were compatible. Friends. Loved math and computers. They wanted to look for work in the same area. Why not get married and save on rent? It made perfect sense at the time. Didn’t it? Glenna rubbed at her temples. The memories chased through her mind, but in none of them did she wear that vapid expression Cinda got when she thought of Daniel.
Glenna slid the mug in front of Cinda and grabbed her sister’s favorite creamer from the refrigerator. Then she pulled out a chair and sat at the bar next to Cinda. “I can’t do breakfast. I have a call to return.”
“A job type call?” The spoon clinked against the ceramic as Cinda stirred her coffee. “How are you doing with that?”
Glenna shrugged. What could she say? I’m so desperate I’m considering taking a job I don’t want? “It’s picking up. I have a couple of smaller places in town that want audits done. They won’t take long.”
“But they don’t pay that much either. Am I right?” 
Tracing the gold and brown pattern in her granite countertop, Glenna scrabbled for a way to avoid this topic. For something lighter, more fun to discuss. Truth? She had nothing. Her marriage, her money issues, her work, and her inability to keep food down consumed her thoughts to the point where she had trouble focusing on anything positive.
“They don’t.” She bit the inside of her lip, not recognizing the person she’d become. She used to be so decisive, described as cold. Emotions didn’t enter the picture. And now? Now every moment of her life had become an emotional roller coaster, threatening to toss her into the void.
“So, what’s the new job? Is it here? In Driftwood Cove?” Cinda’s fingers drummed on the granite, the clicking noise raising the hairs on the back of Glenna’s neck.
“It’s for a company in Santa Barbara.” Please don’t let Cinda remember. Please. Glenna scraped her nail along a golden vein, not looking at her sister.
“Tell me it’s not BT? Tennison’s company? The one you audited last year?” Cinda’s incredulous tone spoke volumes. She hadn’t forgotten that fiasco. Hadn’t forgotten the stress Glenna suffered. Hadn’t forgotten how Glenna swore she would never work for the man again. She shuddered.
“Yes.” Glenna lifted her gaze to see her sister with her mouth hanging open. Shocked speechless wasn’t something that happened to Cinda very often.
“Did he call you?”
“Last night. He left a message.” Glenna hopped off the stool, circled the counter, and grabbed a sponge to wipe the spotless bar. “He pays really well. I need the money.” She couldn’t look at Cinda, but the pleading in her voice should ring through.
“You need to talk to Jeffrey. Need to settle...” Cinda’s cell buzzed. The screen lit up with Daniel’s picture. And his name. A distraction. Thank you. Daniel always distracted Cinda. A breath whooshed out as Glenna turned to the sink to rinse the still clean sponge.
“Hey.” Cinda’s tone softened, her smile setting her face aglow. Glenna almost gagged. Too much. All these touchy, feely moments and sweet emotions were enough to make her as nauseated as the scent of coffee.
“What?” 
Setting the sponge down, Glenna dried her hands and turned to lean back against the sink as she watched worry lines appear on her sister’s forehead. Cinda’s gaze darted to Glenna and back down. She bit her lip, nodded, and clicked off the phone. Tears pooled in her eyes when she glanced up.
“Glenna, I’m sorry. Daniel said there’s been an accident. A bicycle accident. A dog chased the cyclist off the road into a ravine. It’s Jeffrey. He’s in the hospital.” She pressed her fingers to her lips and quit talking. 
Talking nonsense as far as Glenna was concerned. Jeffrey? Her Jeffrey? On a bicycle? Yes, they’d gone cycling a few times in college, but not since then. Why would he do that now?
“He’s mistaken, Cinda. It’s a different Jeffrey. My husband—or whatever he is—wouldn’t be on a bike.” Glenna crossed her arms over her chest. This wasn’t true. Daniel didn’t know everything. Right? But her heart twisted at the thought of her Jeffrey being hurt. Lying at the bottom of a ravine. Alone in the hospital. 
“Come on. I’ll prove it to you.” Glenna grabbed Cinda’s empty mug, rinsed it, and put it in the dishwasher. “We’ll go to the hospital, and you’ll see it isn’t him.” 
She grabbed her purse, dug out her keys, and waited for her sister to quit staring and start moving.
“Don’t you think you should get dressed first?” The corners of Cinda’s mouth tipped up the slightest bit as she inclined her head toward Glenna’s sleep pants and sleeveless night shirt. 
Heat burned Glenna’s face. “I’ll be right back.” She threw her purse and keys down and strode down the hallway to her bedroom. What had she been thinking? Her emotions were so upside down she’d answered the door in her pajamas without even considering the indecency. No matter that it had only been her sister. What if a delivery man had been there? Or a police officer telling her about… No! The man in the hospital couldn’t be Jeffrey. 
So why was she in such a hurry to get there? To prove a point? To avoid calling a man she despised about a job she desperately needed?
Or to run to the rescue of the man she lov—didn’t love anymore?
* * *
Jeffrey squinted at the curtain in the small bay of the emergency room, counting the stripes to keep from glancing back at the nurse picking bits of debris from his arm. Only a few stitches. That’s what the doctor said. They were still waiting for the x-rays of his collarbone, ribs, and wrist. They’d given him a shot that dulled the pain. Even the pounding headache. That might be good, but now he couldn’t drive. Or work on his computer. How would he even tie his shoes if he had broken bones? 
What had he been thinking? Riding a bike after so long might not have been smart, but the breeze felt so good. And the memories. His throat tightened. The memories were all he had right now. Maybe all he’d ever have. Glenna refused to talk to him. Or to meet him. Or to let him try to explain what happened. God, I love her so much. What do I do now?
“Okay, I think I’m done here.” The nurse leaned close. His eyes narrowed as he studied the scrape on Jeffrey’s jaw. “I’ve cleaned the arm and the wound on your jaw. The doctor will determine if you need stitches there too. Quite the crash you had. Good thing you had a helmet, or we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” Another truth. His broken body would reside in the morgue. At least Glenna wouldn’t have to worry about him anymore. Would she even care? 
Yes. 
She had to still care. Please care. I love you.
The nurse gathered the supplies and left the curtained area, his shoes squeaking lightly on the floor. Jeffrey tried to lift his right arm. A jolt of pain stole his breath. Yep. Painkillers didn’t catch everything. Sweat trickled down his temple. He closed his eyes and focused on numbers and equations—the only thing that ever made complete sense to him.
The steady beep of machines cut into his concentration. The dog jumping out at him flashed across his memory. A huge dog with bared teeth. Snarling. Jeffrey gasped in air, his heart thundering. The monitor showed the spike in his pulse. 
Calm. Keep calm. His mantra of late. Every time he thought about the mess he was in, he had to do calming exercises. How had life spiraled so out of control? He had everything arranged. In order. His work. His schedule. His wife. Now, he only had chaos. 
And he hated chaos.
That was why he and Glenna meshed so well. They both loved numbers and loved having everything in alignment. 
He closed his eyes, trying to pray, but darkness seeped in and he drifted off. The squeak of rings on the metal bar as the curtain was drawn back startled him awake. 
“He’s in here.” The nurse stepped aside, and Glenna filled the space. 
Glenna. His Glenna. Jeffrey’s heart rate blipped on the display, showing everyone here how happy he was to see her. He wanted to rip off the wires to keep his feelings from being broadcast.
She may not have had a bicycle accident like he had, but Glenna looked like she’d slid down a slope full of rocks too. Did she miss him as much as he missed her? A seed of warmth unfurled deep inside. 
“Here you are, making me a liar.” Glenna’s hands fisted at her hips as she glared at him. “I told them you wouldn’t be on a bicycle. What are you doing here? What were you thinking?”
He swallowed hard. Bit the inside of his lip so he didn’t smile. She cared. She cared about him. Because Glenna never got this angry and sassy about something or someone she didn’t care about. If only he could climb from this bed and hug her close.
Like she would welcome a hug from him. She’d rather push him down another slope full of rocks.
One good thing to come from this accident. Glenna had finally come to see him. If only his brain would string two thoughts together so he could talk to her—explain what he knew about their marriage fiasco. 
About the lies she’d been told.
He lifted his head. The room dissolved into a nauseating swirl of colors and sounds. He closed his eyes, dropped back on the pillow, and held his breath. I will not throw up. I will not throw up. 
Sweat trickled down his temple. Sound faded. Darkness washed over him.
Voices. Talking. Close. Jeffrey’s eyelids refused to open. His limbs were held down with heavy weights. 
A low voice rumbled somewhere near him. “…wrist…broken…arm…hand…cracked ribs. Broken clavicle.” The man’s voice droned on. Who was he talking about? 
Jeffrey listened to various beeps and the squeak of shoes on polished floors. The clink of…of something. The smell of disinfectant. A hospital. They had brought him to the hospital because of the bike accident. Glenna had come. Were they talking about him? Was she still here?
“He will need to have someone care for him when he’s released. With his injuries, he won’t be able to do a lot of things for himself. Since you are his wife, will you be able to see to his care?”
Glenna spluttered, the sounds she always made when faced with a task she didn’t want to do or didn’t feel qualified to do. That sound progression had always been so cute, but now that it was directed at her not wanting to help him, cute was not a factor. Jeffrey cringed. He had no one else. His family wouldn’t want him. That woman who claimed to be his wife wouldn’t want him. He had no one. 
Only Glenna. 
“If you’ll give us a few minutes to talk about this.” Cinda spoke over Glenna’s spluttering. The doctor gave instructions to someone, and his footsteps faded. The rings clinked as the curtain moved. 
“Cinda, I…” Glenna’s voice cut off mid-sentence. Jeffrey thought her teeth snapped together. 
“Glenna, I know this isn’t ideal. But he needs you. Remember, for better or worse, sickness and health. This is one of those worse and sickness times.”
“That’s for people who are actually married.” Glenna’s low words hissed through the air with the snap of a whip. “Not for wives betrayed and lied to for years.”
“You’ve been married for ten years. How many times has Jeffrey lied to you or betrayed you?”
Thank you, Cinda. Now Jeffrey wanted to hug his sister-in-law. He tried again to pry his eyes open, and this time a glimmer of light had him squeezing them closed again.
“How should I know? He’s so good at hiding things. I didn’t know he was married to this other woman.” Glenna’s voice cracked. She sniffed.
Was she crying? His chest squeezed tight. Please let me find the truth about this. Let Glenna listen to me.
“So you’re taking the word of some woman you’ve never met over that of your husband?” Cinda snorted. Her foot tapped against the floor, a typical Cinda tell when she was annoyed. “Maybe you should take the time to listen to what Jeffrey has to say. Think about it, Glenna. This could be God providing the two of you a chance to sort out this mess.”
“You’re saying God pushed Jeffrey down that embankment?” Glenna huffed a laugh. 
“I’m saying God uses different ways to get our attention and allows things to happen that we don’t always understand.” 
Jeffrey slitted his eyes open again. This time, the light didn’t feel like a spike to the brain. Cinda grabbed Glenna’s hands in hers. Neither of them realized he was awake. He should say something. If his mouth wasn’t filled with cotton.
Glenna’s shoulders sagged. “I don’t think I can do this.”
“I know you’re hurt. I get that. Anyone would be.” Cinda glanced at the bed. Her eyes widened the slightest bit. She must have noticed his eyes were half open. She nodded. “Consider that Jeffrey might be hurting, too. Not just from his injuries, but from this woman’s allegations. Maybe he’s as confused as you are.”
If he could stand up, he’d kiss his sister-in-law—on the cheek. Cinda had always been a voice of reason, able to calm Glenna when she got upset, or to suggest an alternative view. Glenna often allowed conflicts to upset her so much she forgot to step back and consider the issue from all sides. 
The squeak of shoes announced the approach of the nurse. Jeffrey blinked, trying to clear the cobwebs in his head. Trying to consider how he would run his business with broken bones, a fuzzy brain, and the way he felt like he’d been tossed from a surfboard in record swells.
“Have we reached a decision? The doctor would like to confirm who will care for the patient and sign off on him.” The nurse yanked the curtain open. Muted sounds became clearer. The hum of voices, click of keyboards, moans of other patients in the emergency area.
The nurse glanced at Jeffrey. “Ah, we’re awake. How are you feeling this time?”
Glenna whirled around, her gaze narrowing. Her thoughts were practically printed across her forehead. How long have you been awake? Were you eavesdropping on us? Why didn’t you say something?
Sweat beaded on Jeffrey’s forehead. He took in a slow, deep breath, staving off another round of nausea. What could he say? Yes, I wanted to hear what you had to say? That wouldn’t help anything.
The expression on Glenna’s face told him her answer.


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