Chapter 3 — Amy

Jack dragged his feet through the extra shift he took at the hospital, lost in a haze, unable to come to terms what would happen tonight. He called Mark to tell him that he would be home soon and asked where his mother was. Mark told him that she wasn't there and Jack told him to do his homework.

The day's end comes, and Jack comes home finding Mark sitting on the sofa as he enters. "Hello, son."

"Hi, Dad."

Jack hung up his coat and look at Mark. For the first time in weeks, he doesn't have a book in his hands. Instead, he's rigid and hunched over, looking at the carpet. "Is something wrong, son?"

Mark looked up. "Mom didn't come home today. She always does, after school. Where is she? I'm hungry."

Jack crossed the room and put his hand on Mark's shoulder. "It'll be okay, son. She'll be here soon." he said, "Just... just wait here one minute. I'll be right back."

Jack went to their bedroom and checked the closet and the drawers. There was a complete absence of anything belonging to her. Jack looked around and spotted a corner of something white tucked beneath the pillow on the bed. He pulled out a piece of paper. "I'm not coming back. Take care of Mark." It's all Jack needed to hear and it wasn't something he hadn't been expecting. He folded the paper and walked back downstairs to Mark. He put his arm around his son and said, "Mark, your mother's not coming home."

"Why?"

Jack took out the letter from his pocket. "Your mother wrote this. You can read it if you like. I can tell she was unhappy here and needs to find her own way."

"Without us?"

Jack squeezed his son as tight as he can. "So it would seem, son. But I'll never leave you, Mark. You'll always have me. I promise."

Mark sobbed and is shaken, curling up against his father. Jack nearly felt a measure of peace as he comforted his son.

* * *

Jack cooked Mark supper, and afterward put him to bed like he hasn't since Mark hit double digits. Stretched out, Jack read aloud from The Aeneid, thinking of Amy. He looked at the clock seeing it's near ten.

"Keep reading Dad," Mark said.

Mark cried, and Jack cradled him until the boy finally fell asleep.

Jack slowly got up from the bed and close the door behind him. He stood for a few moments in the dark hallway, wavering between staying and heading out the front door. Jack ultimately grabbed his coat and car keys and headed out.

* * *

It wasn't until Jack had parked that he realized he had no idea what room Amy was in. He got out and stood beneath one of the parking lot's lamps, staring at two rows of hotel doors. Luckily, a curtain twitched aside, and one of the doors opened. Amy walked out onto the upper deck and Jack spotted her. "May I come up?"

Jack thought Amy nodded before she went back inside. He climbed a flight of stairs and followed the lights leading to her hotel room. Jack went inside seeing Amy standing with her arms over her stomach.

"I meant to—" he stuttered wanting to say, "call." Instead, Jack continued, "My wife just left me."

"What?"

"She's gone along with her clothes."

"Did she take your son?"

"No, no, she-ah. No, Mark's home asleep."

"I'm so sorry."

Jack blinked and truly looked at Amy for the first time since entering the room. She looked back at him, leaving only pure empathy. 

"She fucking left him," Jack said, as his eyes began tearing. Amy pulls him inside and sat him on the creaky mattress.

"I'm so sorry, Jack."

"I thought you said you weren't sorry."

"I did, and I'm not. That's my dilemma."

"I don't want you to be. Not for any of this."

Jack leans on Amy's shoulder looks up at her. "Tell me what to do, Amy. I'm so lost."

"Well, go home and be with your son. He's had his world fall apart and he needs you."

Jack nodded.

"Call me up when you're ready, Jack."

"What about you?"

"I'll be sitting here alone with a child soon."

"What are you saying?"

"Yes, that's why I'm here with you tonight. Frank left me for some huzzy at the hospital. They're transferring to Singapore at the end of the month. What a deadbeat?"

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. I'll be okay."

Their faces are close, and Jack wanted to kiss her, but he limited himself to pressing his lips on her cheek. He lingered there as Amy's arms tighten around him. When he pulled away, she released him.

"Let me drive you home?"

"All right."

Amy gathered her things and canceled her reservation for the night.

* * *

Jack couldn't stop looking at Amy as they drove to her place. When they pulled up in front of her house, he couldn't resist the urge to reach for her hand and bring it to his lips. He kissed her fingers and began to suck on the tips. But Amy pulled her hand back. 

"This is for you, sweetheart," Amy said, moving her tongue up and down each of his fingers. Her eyes stay fixed on him and she said, "Later."

"Later."

She got out of the car and walked to her house. Jack didn't leave until she was inside. He pulled away, happy that they didn't make another mistake.