Page 34 of Husband of the Year
“I want to stay here,” she says into my chest. “I mean, like I usually do.”
Gonzo, sensing my mood veering into anxiety, jumps up and pushes his head in between us.
“Gonzo agrees,” Isabella says. “We’ll keep our regular schedule. And if Marvin needs any backup, he’ll let me know.”
My eyes open, and I gaze at Isabella as she eases closer to the edge of the couch, our eye contact full of understanding. With Olan gone, it will be just us responsible for Illona’s day-to-day care. Two years ago, that thought would have had me trying every home remedy and power walking to ease my anxiety. But now, in the turmoil of the current situation, it’s the only thing calming my nerves.
“And I’ll call as much as I can,” Olan says, as he moves to the chair. There’s no room for him, but he sits on the edge and leans into our huddle. Before I close my eyes, Isabella’s up, standing next to him and I realize, maybe even when things get tough, incredibly tough, there are always people by our side, offering their unwavering love and support.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Olan: At the gate. Missing you already. I love you.
Marvin: ILU2! Please text when you land.
Olan:
“Monday, you’re a cruel…” Jill says.
She’s sitting at her kidney table, stacks of paper before her, collating, stapling, and organizing for her day, when I catch her gaze and quickly dart my eyes to Illona, standing beside me.
“Witch.”
“Sweetie, do you want to stay in here with me this morning?” I ask.
Illona’s been stoic about her dad leaving, and I’m trying my best to be supportive and let her know I’m here if she wants to talk while not projecting my anxiety about Olan being gone for an indeterminate amount of time on her.
“No, I’m good. I’ll be in your classroom.” She taps her backpack and heads over. I know her journal might be the best friend she has right now.
“Well, I’m fit to be tied. The daycare was closed today because of aburst pipe, so Nick is working from home, which means the house will look like a tornado hit it when I get home. Sometimes I wonder if he thinks having a child means he can simply toss trash on the floor without me noticing.”
I pull my lips into the best smile facsimile I can muster, but Jill knows me well and sees right through it.
“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed? Or was it too much”—Jill lowers her voice to a whisper—“ex-say with your hunky fiancé over the weekend?”
I open my mouth to tell her, but only a small puff of air escapes. My chest thumps so loudly I can feel my heartbeat in my throat, and I lean against the St. Patrick’s Day bulletin board for support.
Staccato beats and acoustic strumming swirl in my head before the deep bass thumps. Usher’s heavy breathing joins in and “You Make Me Wanna” has me closing my eyes and gently bobbing along to the sweet rhythm. A flash of choreo from the video blazes behind my eyelids, Usher wearing a deep burgundy silk shirt, completely open, exposing his beautiful chest as he dances with a row of chairs. Oh, Usher, you handsome devil—you make me wanna indeed.
“Marvin? Marvin?”
Jill takes the bag from my shoulder, places it on the floor, and guides me to a tiny chair. She shuts the classroom door and plants herself next to me, taking my hand in hers. A few years ago, songs often permeated my head when anything overwhelmed me. But between Olan and therapy, my brain has been mostly music-free lately.
“That hasn’t happened in a while. What song?” she asks.
“‘You Make Me Wanna.’ ” A vision of Usher, reaching out to strum that lucky guitar in the video, pops into my head and yeah, I don’t really do celebrity crushes, but if I did, Usher would top the list.
“Usher. A total snack.” Jill continues rubbing my fingers as we both take a moment to daydream about his total deliciousness.
Shaking the vision away, she asks, “Now tell me, what’s going on?”
“It’s Olan. He’s… gone.”
My heart flutters again—saying it aloud somehow makes it more real.
“Gone? Wait what? Where?” Jill scoots her chair closer and starts rubbing my back. “Do I need to call Dr. Knorse? Do we need subs?”
“No, it’s fine. He’s in Chicago. It’s not fine. I mean, it will be. I mean, we’re fine. His family needs him is all.”
