Page 1 of Stay With Me
ONE
Noah Age 25
MyhandsshakeasI read the papers Jenna just gave me.
Shock.
My eyes can only focus on one word.
Divorce.
I knew things weren’t perfect, but a divorce?
Jenna and I met in college when we were nineteen. We didn’t hit it off immediately, but our friendship grew as time went on. We were the picture-perfect couple. She was in the sorority that my fraternity often hung out with.
She was on the dance team, and I was the captain of the soccer team.
We enjoyed spending time in nature together, and in our free time, we always went on hikes and tried to find new trails as often as possible.
Before I knew it, we were married and planning the rest of our future. Soon after we got married, my dad died from a brain aneurysm.
Two years today, to be exact.
I was working at the police department in Santa Fe right after graduation, and Jenna started working in a lab, throwing herself into research projects in the medical field.
Without hesitation, we packed up to help my mom.
She left her research position and became a science teacher here in town.
I quickly got a job at the local sheriff’s department and worked hard to make sure she was happy, and my mom was taken care of. We bought a modest home in the middle of town, and everything fell into place.
I knew she gave up a lot to come here for me, but she told me she was sure she would be happy here.
I look up, and she’s by the door with her suitcase. “You aren’t even going to try and work this out? You’re just going to leave?” I look from her to the divorce papers again in disbelief.
She holds her hands out. “I thought I could learn to love this town like you do, but I can’t. I feel like my life is on hold. I miss working in a lab, and teaching, while rewarding, isn’t where I’m happy.”
“You didn’t even talk to me about any of this. We could have tried couples therapy or moving just outside town to be closer to the city.”
She just shrugs. “You’re happy, I’m not. I don’t know why you’re trying to drag out the inevitable. I’m not asking for anything in the divorce; I just need you to sign the papers.”
“And if I don’t want the divorce?” I’m going to sign the papers. I love her enough to let her go if that’s what she wants.
With a sigh, she cocks her hip to the side. “I’m leaving Griffin’s Den. That’s the only way this marriage will work. I want to go back to the lab and finish my master’s degree. You’re meant to be here, Noah, not me. This is your home.”
“Our home,” I mumble.
“Your home. One day, you’ll become the sheriff of this town, and you’ll find someone who is happy here. But that person isn’t me.”
I just blink at her, feeling a hollowness in my chest. “Well then.” I grab the pen sitting on the counter and sign the document. “I guess there’s nothing left to say.”
“This is for the best,” she says as she grabs the papers. “My lawyer will file this, and you’ll get your copy.” She turns with only her suitcase in hand. As she opens the door, she looks over her shoulder. “I really did love you, Noah. Never doubt that.”
With that, she leaves, and I’m left in the kitchen, staring at the door. Finally willing my feet to move, I sit on the couch and look around.
I realize she only took a single suitcase with her. She wanted nothing to do with any of the memories we made. I sigh and rest my elbows on my knees when my phone rings.
I ignore it at first, not wanting to talk to anyone, when it rings through another two times. I grab it out of my pocket and see that it’s Carter.
