Divine Moves

By Ellyn Oaksmith

When your marriage is falling apart do you really need your crazy mother knocking on your door?

The night Meryl finds her husband in bed with the neighbor, she kicks him out only to have her mother, an ex-stripper who has been down the aisle four, maybe five times, show up from Vegas with a suitcase full of cash.

Her mission? Saving her daughter's marriage. Meryl has other ideas. She's falling for a lonely sheriff accusing her of crimes she didn't commit. Technically.

What good girl Meryl learns from her decidedly bad mother might not save her marriage but it will save her family from falling apart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ellyn Oaksmith
• Release date: Jun 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310305931

Ellyn Oaksmith

A native of Seattle and graduate of Smith College, Ellyn financed her MFA at The American Film Institute by working as a cook on fishing boats in Alaska. After several years as a screenwriter, Ellyn came to her senses and returned to Seattle, where she wrote her first novel, Adventures with Max and Louise, which was pubished in 2012. Her second novel, Divine Moves, was published the following year. She's polishing her third novel, Fifty Acts of Kindness and outlining her first YA novel, Finding Nirvana.When she can find the right mix of humor, depression and hysteria, she'll write about her years in Los Angeles.She lives near Seattle with her family and a shelter dog.For writing news, sneak peeks at new projects and her blog, visit www.EllynOaksmith.com

Book preview

1….. Chapter One

2……Chapter Two

3……Chapter Three

4…… Chapter Four

5…… Chapter Five

6…… Chapter Six

7…… Chapter Seven

8…… Chapter Eight

9…….Chapter Nine

10…. Chapter Ten

11…. Chapter Eleven

12…..Chapter Twelve

13…..Chapter Thirteen

14 ….Chapter Fourteen

15…..Chapter Fifteen

16…..Chapter Sixteen

17……Chapter Seventeen

18……Chapter Eighteen

19……Chapter Nineteen

20……Chapter Twenty

21……Chapter Twenty-One

22……Chapter Twenty-Two

23…..Chapter Twenty-Three

24…..Chapter Twenty-Four

25…..Chapter Twenty-Five

26…..Chapter Twenty-Six

27…..Chapter Twenty-Seven

28…..Chapter Twenty-Eight

29…..Chapter Twenty-Nine

30…..Chapter Thirty

31…..Chapter Thirty-One

Book Club Questions

About Ellyn

Chapter One

"All men make mistakes, but married men find out

about them sooner."

-Red Skelton

In the soft light of the single bedside lamp, Meryl could see the woman’s back: long, white and slender, her high pony tail bobbing. Beneath her was Meryl’s husband. Instead of exploding in anger and pain, Meryl found herself taking in odd details: the lamp was from her days of shopping at Target, now mostly over. White and simple, it still looked good against the dark wood of the bed. It needed dusting. Later she’d think it odd that in the midst of seeing her husband screw another woman, she’d still notice the dust. What did that say about her?

The night had gone so well. There was the bottle of champagne, heavy and cold in her hand, waiting to be shared. The evening had been a huge success. They’d exceeded their goal.

After tossing her coat on the couch, ignoring the urge to neatly stow it in the coat closet, she’d tiptoed upstairs, trying to decide how to wake up Ethan. But the light was on; he was reading.

Ethan was vaguely aware that someone had entered the bedroom. His brain was lost in a pungent cloud of post-orgasmic bliss. Leslie, God Leslie, what she was doing to him drove everything away, even the guilt, his constant companion, an evil little gremlin drilling burning hot needles into his brain. Leslie, a sexual gymnast, had a Teflon conscience (and buns of steel) but Ethan always worried until the moment he climaxed. He had a twenty second reprieve before resuming his tormented existence. But those twenty seconds were always spellbinding and exquisite. He lived for those twenty seconds when he could forget, for a moment, that his life was an avalanche of bad decisions.

A gasp, coming from somewhere in the room, poked its way through Ethan’s sex-addled brain. It took a second for him to focus. The gasp didn’t come from Leslie, whose eyes and mouth were shut. It came from near the door.

Meryl? Although he said her name, he didn’t really believe he’d been caught until he leaned over the side of the bed. Only one thing could distract him from Leslie’s nubile body.

The second he saw Meryl’s face, reality hit him like a cinematic slow motion car accident. It was surreal, as though glass and bodies were flying slowly through the air.

Leslie, ever aware of her orgasm, her pleasure, looked down angrily at Ethan’s face as she felt his muscles constrict. To Leslie, having sex with her neighbor’s husband was like going to the gym: what’s the point if you don’t work up a good sweat?

What the fuck Ethan? Let’s- She followed his shocked gaze, twisting around.

She saw Meryl. With a frantic squeal, she hopped off Ethan, sprinting through the nearest door: Meryl’s walk in closet. The door slammed, echoing in bedroom. The remaining spouses were equally lost, way outside the boundaries of norms and expectation. This was something that happened to other people. This was something they’d shake their heads over, whisper about at a party.

Can you believe it?

I heard….

Meryl’s mind, for a split second, went utterly blank. It was hard to reconcile what she had just witnessed, with what she’d expected to see. On the drive, following the misty fall roads she’d imagined kissing Ethan awake, stashing the book he’d been reading on the bedside table, explaining she’d forgone the girls’ night out in favor of spending some much needed couple time. The auction was over. It was time to work on their relationship. She’d even thought of the cheesy title of her sister’s book: Marriage Maintenance. Yes, it was long overdue.

The world had shifted on its axis. She had no script to follow in this scenario. Ethan had been having sex with someone else. The idea was absurd but here was the evidence, boxed into her closet: hiding, shivering and nude.

She stared at the wall of children’s photos in black and white intermixed with her children’s artwork above the bed. Could there really be a naked woman in her closet? Was that really her neighbor? She’d had a good look at her face but what exactly was happening here? People’s lives didn’t fall apart the moment they decided to fix them.

Her brain flapped around, looking for something real. She tightened her grip on the champagne bottle just to have something to hold onto, to brace herself. A mere two hours ago she’d laughed with Melinda Gates. They’d had the same coat, complimenting each other on their great taste. What was she doing thinking about Melinda Gates’ coat?

In Vegas as a teen, she’d smoked pot and felt as if she’d slipped into a parallel universe. While she was high, nothing bothered her. The tethers of everyday life had been unbound. Of course one of her mom’s friends had given it to her. It’ll help you relax. You two girls worry so much. Here, just a little toke or two. You’re young. She felt like that now. Slipping. Nauseous. Out of control.

Mer, honey, this isn’t what it looks like. Ethan tugged the sheets up to his chest as if their flimsy coverage would offer some protection.

His words woke her up. She wasn’t stoned. She wasn’t that sad kid in Vegas. She was Meryl Howe. She’d just raised a boatload of money for sick kids. She tried to concentrate on feeling anger but she nearly laughed. Well you’re not doing the hokey pokey, that’s for damn sure.

I thought you were spending the night at the Hilton. He was using a diversion tactic. Sometimes it worked in business.

Yeah. Very inconvenient when your wife comes home at these awkward moments. Who is it? She knew but didn’t want to say her name. Not until he did. That would make it real.

Ethan groaned. Shit. He really, really didn’t want to say her name. Uhhhh, it’s Leslie.

Leslie? Leslie from next door?

Ethan shook his head. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.

A burning, black rage flooded Meryl. You know exactly what you are doing. Leslie? Leslie the flight attendant with the yappy dogs? The Leslie who borrowed my Kitchen Aid last Christmas and broke it? Her voice was shrill, quavering. She turned toward the closet wall, screaming, You broke it. I was too nice to say anything but it cost me seventy-five dollars to get it fixed.

One glance at Ethan, naked and miserable, and her fury renewed itself. She screamed at the adjacent wall. Get out of my fucking closet!

Ethan covered his eyes, wishing he could rewind time. Go back to that first moment when Leslie smiled at him. He’d been mowing the lawn. Meryl was at another meeting. He needed someone to talk to.

I want you out of my fucking closet and my house! Meryl’s fists clenched so hard she dug angry marks in her palms. She sounded like her mother. If she could just get Leslie out of the closet, out of her house, then she could think. It took courage but she opened her eyes, staring directly at Ethan.

Where are the kids? Tears welled in her eyes.

Ethan felt a sledgehammer coming down on his head; once for Nathalie, another hit for Henry. His mouth was dry and cottony, not an unfamiliar state lately. The moments between anxiety attacks had gotten very small. Sleepovers.

How handy. Meryl pounded on the exterior wall of her closet. Leslie amid her clothes, her shoes; the things she wore on her body. Get out!

Leslie emerged from the closet wrapped in Meryl’s white Egyptian cotton bathrobe, a Christmas gift from Ethan. The final insult: the robe looked better on Leslie.

Take off my robe! Meryl snarled.

Leslie wasn’t the slightest bit flustered. Look, Meryl. I can’t walk home naked. She could have been gathering her coat after a party.

Did you walk over here naked? Leslie contemplated pushing past Meryl, down the stairs and out the door. Meryl blocked her way, clutching, white-knuckled, the champagne bottle.

Look, I know this is awkward but you don’t have to be such a bitch.

Yes I do. Wait ‘till your husband screws the tramp next door. See how you feel.

Leslie rolled her eyes. It was only sex.

Meryl lifted her left hand, pointed at her wedding ring. Do you know what this means you whore?

Leslie looked at her nails, blasé. Yes. It means you’re boring.

Ethan clamped a hand over his eyes. Leslie, shut the fuck up. Meryl, let her take the robe, Ethan ordered. It was what Meryl thought of as his CEO voice, the one that had coaxed millions from Silicon Valley venture capital firms.

I’ll bring it back. It’s too big for me anyway. Leslie smirked.

But Meryl had drawn the line and somehow, it came down to the bathrobe. You are not taking my bathrobe. You can have my husband. In fact, take him with you but you are not taking my bathrobe or my coat. The only fibers you’re taking out of here are the ones stuck to your sweaty butt.

Why don’t you just let me go and you two can work things out.

Work things out? Is that how it happens in flight attendant land? You screw someone’s husband and then everyone just works it out? I want to know how it is you managed to get from your house to my house without a stitch of clothing on.

Ethan was shaking his head. Leslie, go back in the closet. I’ll talk to her.

Ethan was helping Leslie. That sunk the whole ship.

Leslie smoothed and refastened her pony tail; something Meryl had seen her daughter Nathalie do when she was reasoning something out. She was, Meryl thought, probably closer in age to Nathalie.

Oh for God’s sake, Ethan. Really? In the closet? Leslie pulled the robe tightly around her, hardening her face as she spoke. He left his trench coat at my house last week so I wore it over here. It’s downstairs. There. Are you fucking happy?

Leslie un-wrapped the bathrobe, stepped out of it like a queen. Theatrically, she raised the robe, dropping it to the ground. Her body was perfect.

Ethan watched Leslie’s white form skip nimbly down the stairs, flooded by an innate sense of relief that both women were no longer in the same room. When the front door slammed, he met Meryl’s eyes for the first time.

We need to talk, he said.

For the first time in decades, Meryl acted instinctively. In that moment, there wasn’t a single thought in her brain, just a hot flash of adrenaline and fury. She lifted the green bottle high. The gold foil glinted in the dull lamplight. It happened so quickly. She flexed her gym toned muscles, throwing the bottle as hard a she could at Ethan.

He ducked. The bottle shattered against the teak headboard. Champagne soaked the cream quilted bedspread. His arm hurt, the smell of champagne filled his nostrils but Ethan stared at his wife, mesmerized. Never in his life had he witnessed Meryl lose control or act with any sort of violence. One of the things he’d most admired about her was her complete and utter composure in the face of his formidable parents. Hell, he was afraid of his own parents, wasn’t he? It was Meryl that slid into every situation, perfectly poised.

Now look at her, he thought. She was on fire. Although he felt buried in a sinking, pervasive doom, Ethan felt a strange sort of admiration. Maybe he’d been wrong. Maybe she had more of her mother’s nature inside her than she’d ever admit. And maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. It was perverse. At the exact moment she wanted to strangle him with her bare hands, he felt a tiny blister of hope. He needed her so desperately and never more than at that moment.

You’re bleeding. Her voice was flat. A thick green piece of glass stuck up from a jagged cut in the crook of his elbow. Bright red blood trailed down to the sheet, horror movie bright.

She went into the hallway, reappearing with a clean white towel. Keep the glass in. It might be an artery. Have Leslie take you to the hospital, she said in a detached monotone. Although Ethan was bleeding, Meryl was the one in shock. He was happy for the pain. He deserved it.

There was an awful lot of blood. Ethan listened to her, wrapping the towel around his arm, pulling on his jeans with one hand. He couldn’t get the zipper without lowering his hand. He tried once but could feel the blood pumping out, soaking the towel. He looked up to see Meryl watching him, curiously detached. He fumbled again with the zipper before deciding to lie down on the bed.

We raised nearly $72,000. She paused, frowning. You should have been there.

I think it’s a little weird that you’re telling me this right now. The towel was getting soaked.

It’s what I came home to tell you. She plopped down the on the leather couch by the door, amazed at how little her success now mattered, or the blood or anything, really.

Ethan stomped into his closet, slipped on his loafers and managed to zip himself halfway into a fleece jacket by holding the bottom of the jacket with his elbow. His hurt arm he re-wrapped, leaving a dangling sleeve.

He emerged from his closet, finally responding. I wanted to be there. I really did. I’ve been trying to tell you for weeks. You’ve been so busy with this auction and I’ve been working all the time. The reason I didn’t go tonight is because… Weaving a little, he came closer to her. He was dizzy. How much blood had he lost? He had trouble focusing his eyes.

She held up her hand, blocking his face. Go over to Leslie’s, Ethan. I don’t care anymore. She dropped her arm, her be-numbed mind turning to the kids.

No, no. He looked at the ground, his arm, the ceiling, trying to summon the courage. I have to tell you. It’s no excuse for what happened here tonight but I really need to tell you.

Just leave. Please? Your arm looks really bad. She couldn’t handle any more details. It was enough that he’d left his trench coat at Leslie’s. The Burberry she’d bought him, when they couldn’t afford it, so he could fly down to Silicon Valley looking like a CEO.

I have to tell you Mer. It’s not what you think. I’m falling apart. His voice cracked. His eyes shone with fatigue and tears.

How could this be happening to her? It was like watching a movie, not quite believing that it was herself on the screen. This was one of her mother’s scenes: the tears, broken glass; a lover running barefoot and guilty into the night. If he shared one more ugly detail she’d scream. He needed medical attention. She needed him out of here.

She held up her hand again. It’s exactly what I think, she whispered. Just leave.

She stared at her hands. They were shaking. He’d stopped pleading. It could have been loss of blood or common sense. He walked to the door of their bedroom and turned around to face her, fly undone, hair messed.

Mer, I’m really, really sorry.

She couldn’t look at him. You’ve ruined everything.

As he walked out of the bedroom he muttered. You don’t know the half of it.

She didn’t hear him.

Chapter Two

Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then.

-Katherine Hepburn

It was a slow Saturday night in downtown Kirkland. Lake Washington lapped at the shoreline, home of the six figure income, Seahawks headquarters and a quaint, thriving Lake Street shopping area. The upscale restaurants were closing down, ushering out the last diners. Officer Sam Richer waited in his cruiser, facing Hector’s Restaurant. He was keeping tabs on a stumbling middle-aged couple, waiting for them to find their car. Probably a Mercedes, Sam guessed. They’d likely gotten all gussied up after the Seahawks win, decided to join friends for dinner; after dinner drinks turned into more drinks.

Yawning, he checked his watch: 12:34 am. He’d pulled this shift thousands of times in his 20’s. When did it get so freakin’ hard?

Eyeing the tipsy couple, he waited to fire off a DUI and call them a cab. His radio crackled to life. Officer needed at Evergreen ER for domestic abuse report. Stabbing victim. Male. Normally he wouldn’t have taken a DA report at Evergreen Hospital but when he saw the couple flagging a taxi, he picked up his radio. He was bored, cold and fed up with sitting in his car. His middle-aged muscles needed a good stretch.

There was a cute nurse at Evergreen who flirted a little, a decent cafeteria. Maybe a cup of coffee and a piece of fruit, or preferably pie, would make this night a little shorter.

A pie eating cop. I’m a cliché. At least it’s not donuts.

Pulling his cruiser into the ER U-turn, he thought of his father. Every overtime shift kept his dad at Merrill Gardens, and his son Kevin, at Washington State University; worth it but exhausting.

As he signed in at the hospital, asking the triage nurse about the location of the DA couple, a medic stopped by to brag, told him he was engaged to the cute nurse. A day late and dollar short, thought Sam as he pushed through the ER doors. The story of his life.

Ethan was bandaged, waiting impatiently for his release papers from the doctor when he saw the tall, gangly policeman. Expecting him to pass by, he was surprised when Leslie flagged him. She’d fixed herself up a little, put on some snug jeans, a black t-shirt and leather jacket. It had annoyed Ethan, the lipstick application while he bled. Waiting for her he had stood outside on his front walk, wondering if there was one other person in the neighborhood who would take him to the ER. Leslie wasn’t exactly what you’d call empathetic. Then it hit him: she owned the only house in the cul-de-sac where he was welcome.

The cop’s face perked up when he saw Leslie. He sucked in his slight gut, stood up a little taller. Hi, are you Ms. Keller?

Ethan was confused. You called the cops? He frowned at her.

Sam smiled easily, raised a finger. One. Singular. It doesn’t really matter who called…

Leslie introduced herself politely, making a point of calling him Officer Richer before turning to Ethan, hissing, You just had seventeen stitches. I think you should report it.

Ethan was firm. No. No way. Sorry for wasting your time.

Sam thought for a second, hesitated to get out his notebook. The problem here sir, is that in cases like this, once the call gets made, I have to follow through.

I understand that but I didn’t call you. She did. He turned to Leslie. I’m totally fine.

I don’t call that wound on your arm fine, Leslie snapped.

Sam took out his notebook, faced Leslie. And you are?

She inhaled, stretched her long neck and, without looking at Ethan, offered, Leslie Keller. K-E-double L-E-R. Her gold earrings glinted in the bright ER light.

Sam hated this next question. It always led to more trouble. And you are… the spouse?

Before Leslie could open her mouth, Ethan interjected, No. She’s not the spouse. The spouse had nothing to do with this.

Sam lowered his notebook, appraising them both slowly and evenly. That glass didn’t just jump into your arm on its own.

A nurse with squeaky shoes passed, wheeling a cart. Leslie just wanted the hell out of here. Oh, for crying out loud Ethan. She turned to Sam. His wife did it. She lobbed a champagne bottle at him. It hit the bed and shattered.

Not true, Ethan snapped.

Okay, then California sparkling wine. Whatever. She was aiming to kill. When he came into my house he was bleeding like a stuck-

Ethan shot her a terrifying look.

Sam raised his hands, the notebook flapped open. Okay, okay. Sir, you can’t tell me you fell down and cut yourself in the kitchen. I’m not going to believe that.

I don’t care what you believe, Sam said, flatly.

What’s your address?

We’re from out of town.

Sam crossed his arms. I can get all this information from reception or the registration on your car, which I assume is the Prius parked in the loading zone. I didn’t ticket you.

Leslie lit up. Thank you. That’s my car. We’re neighbors. Officer Richer reminded her a little of Jimmy Stewart, her mom’s favorite actor.

Sam gave Ethan a long, appraising look, keeping his face blank. Friendly neighborhood.

Screw you, Ethan snarled.

Sir, she gave you a ride after you somehow got a nasty cut on your arm. I could site you for barking at me like that but I’m a nice guy so I’m not going to. You’ve lost a lot of blood and should just shut your pie hole, okay? He kept his tone friendly.

Ethan rubbed his bandage, nodded several times. Got it. Sorry. Bad night, to say the least.

Moving forward, what’s your address? Staying calm in these DA situations was crucial. People lit up like Christmas trees if you looked at them the wrong way.

Ethan lowered his head. Fourteen twenty-eight one Crescent Ridge.

Sam knew the neighborhood immediately. When Finn Hill had been annexed, he’d cruised around, exploring his new territory. Crescent Ridge was a shallow cul-de-sac with large, majestic houses, sweeping lawns. Boats in the wide driveways, European cars in every garage. Your wife still there?

Ethan nodded. Probably. I don’t think it’s a good idea to go there now. It’s late; she’s pretty upset.

Sam put away his notebook, told them both he might be in touch. He wouldn’t though. The peckerwood’s wife had taught him a good lesson. As he pushed his way through the ER double doors into the lobby he felt a grudging respect for the wife. Good for her. Seventeen stitches. She wasn’t going to take this sitting down.

Chapter Three

"It is not lack of love, but lack of friendship that makes

unhappy marriages."

- Friedrich Nietzsche

At 9:45 a.m. Jackie charged through the front door without knocking, her hair twisted up in a wet bun. Where’s Henry? were the first words out of her mouth. As a psychologist, she knew that Henry, being young and male, was the least equipped to deal with the situation. In her practice she’d seen parents battle it out furiously while their kids sank.

At Carol’s. Probably ‘till ten.