Time After Time: A heart-warming novel about love, loss and second chances. Hannah McKinnon Mary
one hundred and twenty-six of us.’
He’d applied for jobs and she watched Rick’s confidence take a hit with every rejection letter he received, even more so when he didn’t hear from prospective employers at all.
‘Start the web-design business you’ve always dreamed of,’ she said one night. He protested, said it wouldn’t be fair on her. ‘I’ll support us,’ she replied. ‘Besides, I’ll be a partner soon. You should do it. We’ll manage.’
Now Hayley looked at Rick, took a deep breath. ‘I know what I said, but –’
‘I just don’t get how you can work for that stupid dick,’ Rick said.
Hayley nodded. ‘He’s definitely a dick. But he’s not stupid.’
Rick picked up the newspaper again. ‘All I’m saying is that you need to do something.’
She raised her eyebrows. ‘Do something? What the bloody hell do you think I’m doing, Rick? I –’
He held up a hand. ‘Maybe you and Tony should go out on your own. Or speak to another recruiter,’ he said, his tone more subdued. ‘Okay? That’s all.’
Hayley knew he could tell she was dangling ten – badly in need of a pedicure – toes over the warpath. That’s why he was backing off; he preferred to leave her alone until she calmed down. It irritated the hell out of her sometimes. Why couldn’t he stand up and fight? Taking a deep breath she walked to the fridge, counting slowly.
1 … 2 … 3 …
‘Do you need me to fold any washing?’ she said.
4 … 5 … 6 …
Rick looked at her and blinked.
7 … 8 … 9 …
‘I didn’t do any laundry. I had to –’
BOOM!
‘Oh come on,’ Hayley shouted. ‘For fuck’s sake. You were at home, why couldn’t you do a couple of loads?’
Rick gestured to her to lower her voice.
‘Don’t shush me,’ Hayley snapped.
‘You’ll wake the kids,’ he said, his jaw tight. ‘Look, I had to finish the website and start a quote for another project. The biggest one I’ve ever had, actually. That was more important than the fucking washing, okay?’
Hayley stared at him.
‘I’m sorry, okay?’ he said. ‘I guess now’s not a good time to tell you the toilet upstairs isn’t working properly as well.’
‘You’re joking?’ She put the wine back and slammed the fridge door. A plastic magnet – the letter O – clattered to the floor, leaving the word HELL behind.
‘Don’t worry,’ Rick said. ‘I remembered to call the plumber. He’s coming tomorrow.’ He held his arms up in mock defence as he sat, weaving his upper body around like a boxer, pretending to get ready to dodge whatever she might throw at him by ducking under the table.
Hayley welcomed his humour like a hairdryer in a bath. ‘I can’t deal with all of this as well,’ she said in a strained whisper. ‘I can’t handle my job and continually remind you to sort stuff out, then spend weekends doing the washing and running errands.’
‘Hayley, listen –’
‘No. You listen. I need to see Mum and Dad. I haven’t been over in two weeks. Oh, and I thought we’d squeeze in some family time. Remember that?’
‘You’re blaming me for the lack of family time?’ Rick raised his eyebrows and Hayley could tell she’d hit a nerve. ‘You spend every goddamn waking hour at that office. We hardly see you.’
‘I’m working.’
‘I know that. But you promise the kids you’ll be back for supper and you rarely are. I get it and don’t worry, I’m okay with it but the kids, they …’ His chair toppled backwards as he stood up and it landed on the floor with a crash. ‘Shit.’
‘You know how much pressure I’m under. I need you to be supportive, Rick.’
He acquiesced. ‘Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I know you’re worried about the finances. Look, I’ll help tomorrow, I promise.’ He opened his arms and walked towards her but she moved away.
He sighed.
‘What?’ she said. ‘What was that sigh for?’
‘Nothing.’
‘No, go on.’ Hayley’s hands were on her hips and she raised her chin. ‘What was it for?’
Rick spoke in a low voice and she saw that the anger in his eyes had been replaced with sadness. ‘Every time I … you’ve got this big wall around …’ He waved a hand as his voice tailed off. ‘Forget it. Never mind. What’s the point?’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
Rick puffed out his cheeks. ‘Nothing.’
She closed her eyes. She knew what he meant.
The distance.
She felt it too. The silence between them took up an increasingly large space, filled with all the things they should be saying to each other, but couldn’t, or wouldn’t, or didn’t dare.
‘We need to talk about us,’ Rick said, barely audibly. ‘Come and sit down.’
Us? What does that mean? Does he want out? Does he want to leave?
The nagging voice in her head wondered. After all, the hours she spent at the office were ridiculous and, even during the small amount of time she spent at home, they often fought. Images of him with another woman three cup sizes bigger and twenty times more beautiful than her, invaded her mind.
Could he have found someone else? Is that why he’s been so distant?
A while ago Hayley would have confronted him but now she preferred to pretend they were on an episode of that cheesy show, The Waltons. Her life was complicated enough.
‘No. I don’t want to talk,’ she said.
‘You never want to talk,’ Rick snapped. ‘Even if you wanted to, you’re never here. At some point we have to –’
‘I said no,’ Hayley shouted. ‘I don’t want to fucking talk, okay? Not now, not tonight.’ She shook her head and turned away, swiftly wiping the tears starting to spill down her cheeks.
Come on. Get a grip.
She grabbed her bag and coat, and slipped on her shoes.
Rick was in the kitchen doorway. ‘You’re leaving?’ She noticed how his tone had hardened. ‘Seriously?’
With one hand on the door handle and without looking back she said, ‘I’m going to Ellen’s. Don’t wait up.’
She closed the door softly behind her and stood on the front step, her heart aching. Hayley missed Rick, she missed them.
What happened to us?
They’d been so close. The perfect couple – everybody had said so and both Rick and Hayley had known so too. Right from the beginning Hayley had been convinced their love was one that would last forever. She could never have imagined being with someone else.
But now …?
For a few seconds she considered going back inside, throwing her arms around him, pulling him tight, allowing him to comfort her and in return, telling him she loved him. But something inside her stopped her and instead she turned and walked away.