Page 24 of The Space He Left
"Jack, listen to yourself. You're defending a woman who's manipulating you while your pregnant wife sits at home wondering if her husband will be there when their baby is born."
"Madison isn't manipulating anyone. She's scared and alone and fighting for her life."
"And Harper is carrying your child and preparing to bring your daughter into the world. Which one should be your priority?"
The question hung in the air, and I felt cornered, attacked from all sides. Everyone seemed to think they knew better than I did, seemed to think Madison was lying, that I was being fooled.
But they weren't here. They didn't see the fear in Madison's eyes, didn't hear the tremor in her voice when she talked about dying. They didn't understand that I was the only thing standing between Madison and complete despair. Her family was on the other side of the country. She needed support.
"Madison needs me," I said finally.
"Harper needs you. And unlike Madison, Harper has a right to need you."
"That's not fair."
"What's not fair is a woman going through pregnancy while her husband is emotionally unavailable. What's not fair is Sam having to step up because you won't. What's not fair is me getting phone calls from concerned neighbors about my daughter-in-law's well-being."
I pulled into the hotel parking lot, my hands shaking with anger and frustration. "I can't do this right now, Mom. Madison is waiting for me."
"Jack, please. Think about what you're doing. You're about to become a father. Don't let Madison cost you that."
"She's not costing me anything. I can be there for both of them."
"Can you? It seems like you're already missing everything that matters. Maybe Mrs. Finlayson was right."
I was almost too scared to ask. "About what, Mom?"
"She thinks you're cheating on Harper. I'm starting to wonder if she's right."
I hung up and sat in the truck for a moment, trying to calm down. Everyone was against me. Everyone thought they knew better. But they weren't seeing the whole picture.
I found Madison in her hotel room, pacing anxiously. She was wearing designer athletic wear, her hair perfectly styled, but her face was pale with worry.
"Jackie, thank God you're here," she said, rushing to hug me. "I've been going crazy thinking about tomorrow."
"Hey, it's going to be okay," I said, holding her close. "The doctors are optimistic, remember?"
"But what if they're wrong? What if they open me up and find that it's everywhere?" She pulled back to look at me, her eyes wide with terror. "I need to know you'll be there tomorrow. Please tell me you won't leave me to face this alone."
"I'll be there for everything – the pre-op, the surgery, the recovery. Whatever you need."
"Even if... even if Harper goes into labor? I know she's close to her due date."
The question felt like a test. Madison was watching my face carefully, waiting to see if I'd choose her over my wife even at the most crucial moment. Even she seemed to know more about my wife's due date than I did.
"Harper's not due yet," I said, though the uncertainty in my voice betrayed me. "And first babies usually take a long time. There's no reason to think there'd be a conflict."
Relief flooded Madison's face. "I just... I couldn't bear going through surgery alone. You're the only person who really understands me, who makes me feel safe."
My phone started ringing. Pete's name on the screen.
"I should take this," I said.
"Please don't," Madison said, grabbing my arm. "I know it's selfish, but I just need you to focus on me tonight. Tomorrow isgoing to be so scary, and this might be our last night together if..."
She didn't finish the sentence, but the implication hung in the air. If the surgery went badly, if the cancer had spread, this might be the last time we had together.
I looked at my phone, then at Madison's frightened face. I could call Pete back tomorrow to sort out work. I would make it up to Harper when I got back. I'd already planned to take a month off after our baby girl was born. We'd spend time together, bonding. Everything would be fine. I just needed to help Madison through the next twenty-four hours.
