Marc holds me and allows me to shed my grief without judgment. His hand rubs circles on my back, helping me focus on something other than the pain radiating through my body.
When my sobs start to subside, I sit back up, wipe my tears, and continue the story.
“My sister’s death started the divide between my parents and I. It was the crack in the foundation that no one usually worries about because it started out as just a small crack.”
I hated them for such a long time afterwards though and couldn’t wait for graduation so I could move away.
“My marriage to Jared just drove the wedge into the crack, and now there’s no going back. My family’s relationship can’t be repaired.”
I’ve tried forgiving them, but I can’t get over the past. If they could be so cold, cruel, and heartless to their own child, how will they treat their future son-in-law or even their own grandchildren?
That’s not something I was willing to risk in order to find out. Marc continues to rub my back as my tears slow and eventually dry.
“How did you meet Jared?”
“As soon as I graduated high school, I quit my job, packed all of my stuff in my car, and drove down here to the beach. I didn’t know what I was going to do with my future, but I knew it didn’t involve staying in my hometown.”
Marc’s eyes widen. “Are you not from Roseville?”
I shake my head. “Believe it or not, I grew up right outside the capital. Sure, it was a small town, but it wasn’t close to the beach. I wanted to livesomewhere where I could take a weekend trip to the beach whenever my heart desired.”
“Like two hours away from the beach?”
“If I hadn't met Jared, I’d probably be living in a tent right on the sand.”
He chuckles and lets me get back to my story.
“Anyway, I met Jared at this beach. I was alone, sad, and sitting on the sand just staring at the water, imagining Teri swimming and having a great time when Jared came crashing into me.”
He literally came crashing into my life.
“His friend threw the football just a little too hard, and it went over his head. Jared ran backwards without looking and ran into me.”
Marc chuckles. “Classic wing man set up right there.”
“Yeah, well, he was fun and carefree, and it reminded me of what Teri hoped I’d be, so I gave him a chance and the rest is history.”
Marc narrows his eyes. “How did you end up in Roseville?”
“It’s where Jared’s from. He had a steady job and a house. His best friends, aka the police chief and sheriff, were very welcoming, and I felt like I had found the family I just lost. We started dating fairly soon after meeting, much to my parents' dismay.”
Not wanting him to think badly about me, I add, “I didn’t know about Jared’s drinking problem when we first started dating. He hardly drank at all around me and was never mean and aggressive.”
“Did something happen to make him change his ways once you two were married? Did he lose his job or anything?”
“No, everything was perfect-” I lower my voice to barely above a whisper “-until it no longer was.”
Marc clears his throat and blows out a breath. “Tell me the happiest moment you have with Teri.”
I have to think back because there are so many happy memories with her that it’s hard to choose just one. There’s so much I want to share with Marc.
“One night we snuck out of the house and went to the farm that was behind our high school because Teri heard some classmates were going cow tipping and she wanted to partake as well.”
I smile as I remember us getting dressed in all black like we were going on a super-secret stealth mission.
“Teri snuck into the pasture while I kept an eye out for police, but all the cows were gone. There were a few horses in the barn, so she had the not-so-brilliant idea to tip a horse.”
I have to pause as laughter builds inside me.