Chapter 4 is ready for your perusal. I apologize for the shortness of some of my chapters. I write until I reach a stopping point or until my brain freezes, whichever comes first. In this case, it took a little longer than usual for it to freeze.
~*~*~*~*~*~
After returning from her week in California, time seemed to move so quickly for Keely. Her clientele had picked up considerably, and it was all due to word of mouth. Most of her clients needed evening and weekend appointments, so she spent some of her weekdays volunteering at her former school helping out wherever they needed her.
It wasn't until she noticed a sign for the Homecoming dance near the school's office that it dawned on her that fall was here. She was marveling at how fleeting time really was when one of her former students spoke behind her.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Emerson. Are you planning on coming to the homecoming dance or are you checking the signs for errors?"
Without turning around, Keely already knew it was Rhianna. Though she would never admit it, Rhianna was probably her most favorite student of all time. After spending fifth period science with her during Rhianna's freshman year, there was no way Keely would have ever thought she would grow to care for the kid. In fact, had people told her that Rhianna would be her favorite in a few years, she would have laughed in their faces.
Keely turned and smiled. Rhianna was an independent young girl whose mother worked two jobs. While Rhianna was a freshman, Keely had spent many hours after school trying to keep her on the straight and narrow. It had worked. Standing before her was an honor society student with a passion for learning and a penchant for all things science.
"Rhianna! How are you, and how's your mother?"
"I'm doing well. I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed by all the college applications, but I'll manage. Mom's doing great; she just loves the new job, and it pays enough and has excellent health benefits so she only has to work there now. No more second job! Plus, her boss has told her that if she wants to go to law school, he'll foot the bill as long as she agrees to practice in his firm when she's done."
"Oh, Rhianna," she squealed with joy. "That is wonderful news! How did your mom find that job? It sounds perfect for her!"
The young girl tilted her head at Keely and studied her quizzically. "You should know," she stated.
"I should?"
"Yeah, you should. Your husband gave her the job."
"What?!?" gasped Keely. "When did this happen? Wait, you mean Paul, my ex-husband?"
"What do you mean he's your ex-husband?"
"Explain the job thing, and I'll explain the ex-husband thing."
"Do you remember when you and Mr. Emerson drove my mom and me to scout out colleges last spring over break?"
"Yes." Keely recalled how Paul had been in a foul mood when they left because he hadn't wanted to go, but he had put on a friendly façade during the excursion.
"Well, when you and I fell asleep on the drive home, Mr. Emerson was talking to my mom. I guess she mentioned that she had paralegal experience and that all the jobs she'd were part-time. He took her number and promised that the next position open would be hers. She didn't really believe him, but a week later, his paralegal quit working to be a stay-at-home mom. Mom was the first person he called. I think he must have heard enough about us from you that he wanted to help out. Now what is this about him being your ex?"
It dawned on Keely that she didn't know because at that time, she was moving out of the home she had shared with Paul. The only words she had uttered were "I'm leaving," and she hadn't waited around to hear anything from Paul.
"I filed for divorce about two weeks after that trip. By the way, I'm back to my maiden name of Jacobsen. It's a story that I don't want to rehash, plus I don't think my former student should hear about my drama. You might envision me as less of a science geek. We can't have that happen." Keely winked at Rhianna, who let out a giggle.
"Oh heaven forbid we students see you as a real human," she joked. "You know, I always thought that you should have married Mr. Emerson's brother. I liked when he came as an extra chaperone on field trips."
Just as Keely was about to ask her why the young girl thought that, the screeching of the bell filled the halls.
"Oh, I better get going. I can't be late for physics. Bye, Mrs. Emer ... Jacobsen."
"Bye sweetie." Keely spent the rest of her morning in a daze over Paul's kindness and Rhianna's unexpected declaration.
********
As she drove to meet Darbie for lunch, her thoughts kept bouncing around in her mind. She couldn't get them to coalesce; it was too much shock over Paul's generosity.
She arrived at the restaurant fifteen minutes early. With time to kill, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed. On the third ring, he picked up his direct line.
"Paul Emerson here."
"Paul, it's Keely."
"Keely?" he cheerfully greeted her. "What did I do to deserve this call?"
"Well, I was volunteering at school, and I ran into Rhianna. She told me what you did for her mother, and I wanted to thank you."
"You don't have to thank me. Beth is a dedicated employee, and she's sharp. Sharp enough that I want her to go to law school and be a partner. In fact, I should be thanking you for making me go with you three to scout colleges and apologize for being an ass prior to that trip. It was a good experience, and it gave me the chance to talk to Beth."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
He sighed. "I believe, at that point, you weren't listening to a thing I had to say. Not that I hired her to placate you, mind you. In my mind, she was hired the day we drove home. It was just a matter of a vacancy opening up here."
"You know, you really are a good guy."
"Ah, don't forget to add, 'Despite the fact that you fucked up our marriage' to that sentence," he replied dejectedly.
"You know what, Paul?" In that moment, Keely had an epiphany: she wasn't bitter anymore.
"What's that, Keely?"
"Oddly enough, I've forgiven you. People make mistakes. It's about time you forgave yourself."
Silence greeted her. Keely would have thought he hung up if it hadn't been for the shallow breathing she heard through the receiver. It dawned on her that it wasn't breathing; Paul was crying.
********
Several minutes later...
Darbie waited across from Keely as she finished her call.
"Okay, we'll talk later. Are you going to be all right? Are you sure? Okay. I'll check on you later. Bye, Paul," was all she heard, but it was enough for Darbie to give Keely a stunned look.
"Stop giving me that look," Keely snapped as she put her phone in her purse. "Don't start jumping to conclusions."
"Then why don't you explain to me why you were so civil to him?"
Darbie listened intently as Keely detailed her morning encounter with Rhianna along with the phone call that just ended. When Keely was done, Darb gently asked if Keely was sure about forgiving Paul.
"Darb, it was like a total moment of clarity. I wasn't angry any more, and it wasn't because he gave Beth a job. Although, that did help me remember that he was a good person before his one indiscretion. One mistake shouldn't negate all the good choices he's ever made."
