SSMD Boxset 1: SSMD

By Jenetta M Bradley

The SSMD (Single, Shacking, Married, Divorced) is a fictional story of Eva and her friends as they navigate the tricky waters of being single, shacking, married or divorced. 

So It Begins

In So It Begins, the first book of the series, Eva becomes a relationship advisor. Her first day is her roughest when the secrets of her two best friends, Leah and Sharon, are revealed. 

While advising others, Eva must deal with the pain of a broken relationship and experiencing what may be, the start of something new.

It's About To Go Down

In It's About To Go Down, the second book of the SSMD series, Eva's life is in danger. Someone has a deadly hatred for her and finding the source won't be easy. 

Eva's friends may not have life threatening problems, but they are serious. Alana gets entangled with two eligible bachelors and must decide which one to choose. Leah is trying to make a go of a relationship with Mario, but his ex-wife and mother serve up some drama that may be their downfall. Last but not least, Sharon struggles with keeping her ex-husband out of her bed. Whether single, shacking, married or divorced they all have their mountains to climb

Bitter With The Sweet

In Bitter With The Sweet, the third book in the SSMD Series. Olivia's hatred and need for vengeance threaten Eva once again. Will the drama put a strain on her budding relationship with Xavier?

Eva's not the only one facing trouble. Kendra must race the clock to find evidence to clear Will and save his life. She is determined to save him without falling for him again.

Alana, Leah and Sharon are dealing with matters of the heart. One of them finds something sweet, one finds something bitter and the other one learns that sometimes you must take the bitter with the sweet.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jenetta M Bradley
• Release date: Dec 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536599015

Jenetta M Bradley

Author of contemporary fiction, Jenetta M. Bradley pens stories of complicated relationships and circumstances. In her series SSMD (Single, Shacking, Married, Divorced) she writes about strong women and their quest for love and happiness.  As co-author of Life on Fire, written with her sister Karen D. Bradley, she stepped into the fast paced world of thrillers and loved it. Please visit Jenetta's website at www.jenettambradley.com for more information.

Book preview

SSMD

(Single, Shacking, Married, Divorced)

Books 1-3

Jenetta M. Bradley

So It Begins

Jenetta M. Bradley

All rights reserved. No part of this book, in any form, may be used or reproduced, without the express written consent of the author, in any form or means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system except quotes used in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events in this book are purely fictitious; a creation of the author's imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is coincidental.

Jenetta M. Bradley

www.jenettambradley.com

Cover by Niezeka

SSMD So It Begins

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

© Copyright 2013 by Jenetta M. Bradley

Acknowledgements

There have been some wonderful people who have supported me, thick and thin, on my writing journey. Thank you to Karen D. Bradley, Tonya R. Briggity, Michelle Chester and Emma Florio for helping me to complete this book. Karen and Tonya, you’ve hung in with me from the start of The SSMD and I appreciate you both. To Julian J. Howard, thank you for motivating me, even more, to follow my dreams.

Chapter 1

With a Friend Like You

Eva

Today I woke up to a new life. Excitement and nerves kept me up all night, but I still managed to wake up refreshed. This was the first Monday in a very long time that I was glad to see.

Excuse me, I haven’t introduced myself. My name is Eva Walker, and today I begin a new journey of advising the single, shacking, married, and divorced. I don’t possess one degree or certification that says I’m qualified to advise anyone, but when I created The SSMD Advisor site last year to give people a place to vent and advise one another about their relationships, I never knew it would lead me into a new career. I received so many posts and replies to my homemade, free site that it shut the site down.

Now with a new and improving website I can handle the traffic and the people are venting their problems and advising their hearts out. Three months in I changed it to a paid subscriber site and my numbers didn’t even hiccup.

I started making more money from the site than I was in my corporate career. I was too much of a chicken to quit right away. Finally, I came to my senses on one of my 30-mile drives into the office, and decided to quit.

Before I begin working, let me tell you how I began advising The SSMD. Though my site practically ran itself, I wasn’t satisfied. I realized that I wasn’t involved enough on a personal level and wasn’t getting a sense of fulfillment. I didn’t even know if the people were getting the help they truly needed. I printed off some of the problems people were venting about and the posted responses and took them to my friend Sharon, who is a psychologist and a family therapist. Here is how that conversation went:

These responses run the gambit. Sharon flipped through the pages, a bit arrogant in her demeanor.

Thanks for stating the obvious. Now if you could offer your thoughts on how I can make sure the person venting gets sound advice I would appreciate it.

Sharon handed the papers back to me and said, Refer them to me.

We’ve been friends fifteen years now and I don’t even listen to your advice, I joked truthfully.

Yeah, and that’s why you are still single today.

Ouch, I said and meant it. I didn’t want to go down the ‘mistakes I made’ road, so I moved the conversation along. Actually, I was thinking along those lines. Reaching into my bag I pulled the proposal I’d written up and handed it to her.

I’ll give you time to look it over, but in a nutshell, here is what I’m proposing. Every day I will go through the posts and for those that I think need your services I will email them with a referral. With my referral, you or one of your counterparts here, will give them an initial session for free. If they continue to see you then great, you have a new paying client. I will also pull a posting daily and you will post a professional view and I will post the friendly advice viewpoint.

I hear what’s in it for me, but I’m not hearing what’s in it for you.

I just want to make sure I’m truly helping people.

Well you’ve come to the right place. I’ll go over this with Emily and Paul and if they are willing to take on some of the referrals then I’m all in. Sharon stood and stuck out her manicured hand. A quick wish that I’d gotten my nails done flashed through my mind, but I stuck my hand out and shook hers anyway.

Two weeks later Sharon and I began adding our two cents to one post a day and something unexpected happened. The subscribers hated her advice and loved mine. Sharon hung in there and fought for her views for a month until finally she decided that it wasn’t worth the effort.

The subscribers couldn’t get enough of me and asked that I post my advice for more than one post a day. Today would be the first time I respond to three. I know it doesn’t sound like much but I’m taking it slow. I’m planning some other things down the line, but for now I’m taking nibbles.

Before starting my day, no longer a slave to the clock, I took a long leisurely shower. After the shower I threw on some comfort clothes and made my way to the office that I’d set up in my house. The phone rang as if synced to my arrival. Hello, I answered before taking a seat in my oversized desk chair.

How’s your first day of being a bum? Leah asked. Leah, Sharon, and I were a trio and Leah was the one we had to keep close watch over. If there was trouble to be had she was in it. She’d mellowed a bit over the years, but she still had the knack for getting into sticky situations.

It’s just started so you’ll have to check in with me later for an answer. I opened my laptop and turned it on.

I’ll do that. Leah paused and took a breath, which was always an indicator that I wouldn’t like what was coming out of her mouth next. I was hoping I could be the first person you advised today.

An alarm bell rang somewhere in the back of my mind and at that moment I knew this wouldn’t be a great first day. Sure, Leah. What’s going on? I asked, bracing myself.

Promise not to judge me, Eva? I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.

What is it, Leah? I ignored her request for my promise. She didn’t really want it. She was only stalling.

Okay, in a nutshell; I’ve fallen in love with a married man. We have been seeing each other for six months.

So you want advice on if you should continue to be involved with a married man? I was almost relieved; that question wasn’t hard for me to answer.

Actually, no. I want advice on how we should tell Sharon.

Excuse me? My mind wouldn’t absorb what she just said.

I am in love with Phillip. He and I are in love. We don’t want to hurt her any more than we have to so I’m asking you, what’s the best way to tell her?

Damn it to hell, Leah! Of all the men you could fall for you go fall for your best friend’s husband. Now you want me to tell you how to handle it?

Well, it is what you do, isn’t it? Advise people? What, did you think it was going to be easy? Leah sounded angry and hurt as if she was the one wronged. Look, Eva, I really need your advice on this. What is the best way to break this to Sharon without sending her off the deep end?

Chapter 2

Close the Door

Eva

There was silence on the line as Leah waited for my response. She wanted me to advise her on how to destroy our friend Sharon. I could not and would not do it.

No. My answer was simple and it said all that I was going to say on the matter. She and Phillip would have to figure it out on their own.

No? What do you mean no? Aren’t you the least bit concerned about Sharon?

Am I concerned about Sharon? Maybe you should ask yourself that. You are the one sleeping with her husband.

Eva, please. It’s not like I set out to hurt her.

Well, good luck telling her that. And tell that punk Phillip I said the same. I hung up the phone before she could say anything else.

Leah

She just hung up on me. Leah hung up the phone and rolled back into Phillip’s arms.

I told you I didn’t think calling her was a good idea. Phillip kissed Leah softly on the lips, and then slipped out of bed.

You’re leaving already? She sat up in bed.

Already? I’ve been here all weekend. Sharon is expecting me to come home from my business trip today, remember? Walking into the adjoining bathroom, Phillip quickly turned on the shower and stepped in. He was feeling sick. This wasn’t what he’d signed up for. Now he was between a rock and a hard place. He had to think and move fast. He thought of Sienna and PJ, his and Sharon’s children, and regret gripped his heart. Damn.

He showered quickly knowing that Leah would join him if he lingered too long. He said and promised everything Leah needed him to, to make his exit. In the car he took a deep breath before pulling off and saying, She’ll just have to listen.

Eva

I sat mulling over the situation Leah had just dragged me into and kept rethinking what was the best way to handle it. Was saying no and hanging up the right thing? Should I tell Sharon? How would Sharon, who worked hard at being and having things as close to perfect as possible, handle this bomb? It was my first day as my own boss and I couldn’t concentrate enough to do anything.

I decided I needed to get out of the house and take a walk to clear my head. I put on my walking shoes, grabbed my house keys, and headed for the door. The ringing doorbell startled me. I peeked out the door and swore under my breath. I swung the door opened and asked, What the hell do you want?

Phillip stood on my doorstep. We need to talk. He stepped inside before I could object. I left the door open and turned to him. I didn’t want to give him the impression that he would be staying.

Shouldn’t you be talking to your wife? Why would you even think to come over here?

I can’t lose Sharon and I need you to be on my side when this all drops. Phillip paced back and forth.

You have lost your mind. Why would I ever help you? Even before this I didn’t like you and we both know you have a history of hitting on Sharon’s friends.

I was drunk that night, Eva. I have apologized to you for hitting on you more times than I can count. Look, I didn’t mean for this thing with Leah to get this far out of hand. I thought we would have a quick fling then a dirty little secret. I admit that I have feelings for her, but I love Sharon. You have to tell me how to get Leah to see reason and to let this go. If we can get her to see this will never work, maybe Sharon doesn’t have to know about this.

Maybe I don’t have to know about what? Neither Phillip nor I noticed Sharon until it was too late. She stood at the door holding cupcakes that spelled out Congrats and a cup holder with two cups of coffee. I’m thinking the answer will also explain to me what my husband, who is supposed to be on a plane flying home from Boston, is doing here with one of my best friends.

Could my day possibly get any worse?

Chapter 3

The Gang’s All Here

Eva

I could not believe how awful my day had become. I should be happy to see Sharon; thankful for her thoughtfulness. Instead, because of Phillip and Leah’s stupidity, I was standing here being accused and feeling sick to my stomach.

Well? Sharon’s tone held restrained fury. One of you need to start explaining.

I’ll leave it to Phillip since he is the only one here that has some explaining to do. I stood there between him and Sharon ready to do damage control.

Phillip’s mouth opened, but not a sound came out. He looked over at me with eyes that screamed, help me.

Don’t look at her. Look at me and tell me, your wife, what the hell is going on? And know if I have to ask one more time it won’t be pretty. Sharon walked pass me and stood toe to toe with Phillip.

There is nothing going on between me and Eva, Phillip said honestly.

But? Sharon’s heart raced, she knew she wouldn’t like his answer.

But, I have made a terrible mistake.

And what is this terrible mistake you made, Phillip? The three of us turned to see Leah walk through the door that I still hadn’t closed.

Phillip swore under his breath.

What are you doing here? I asked.

Sharon called me and asked me to meet her here. We were going to surprise you with cupcakes and coffee. She held up her traveling mug. She sat it on my hall table before walking over to stand beside Sharon in front of Phillip. Now I want to hear about this terrible mistake you’ve made.

I walked over to the door and closed it. I knew all the players had arrived, but I didn’t want anyone else to walk into my house.

Leah, now is not the time. Phillip is about to tell me why he is over here with Eva. This has nothing to do with you.

Leah moved to Phillip’s side and put her arm around his waist. Oh, but it does. I am the terrible mistake he’s about to tell you about.

From there things happened in a blur. Sharon dropped the coffee and the cupcakes; then in a blink of an eye she snatched Leah by the hair and away from Phillip. Leah went tumbling across my entryway and knocked my legs out from under me. I was busy falling so I missed Sharon stumping her stiletto heel into Phillip’s foot, but I heard him cry out. I looked up and saw Sharon swing on him, but he caught her arm and when she went to slap him with her other hand he caught that one too. He wasn’t fast enough to move out of the way of her deadly stiletto heel as she stumped his foot again. He dropped both her arms and she turned away and stormed towards the door. Before she walked out she stepped over me, plucked Leah’s coffee mug from the table, took off the lid and dumped the contents over Leah’s head.

Leah jumped up screaming. Fortunately for her the coffee was hot but not scalding. She stepped over me and rushed to my bathroom. Phillip recovered and rushed to the door following Sharon. He stepped over me, now sitting on the floor preparing to get up. He shouted Sharon’s name and slammed the door behind him.

With no one left to step over me, I finally got off the floor.  I look around at the mess left on my floor. The guest bathroom door opens and Leah came out looking like a wet rat. Where is Phillip?

He went after Sharon.

Leah’s face crumpled and she began to cry. What am I going to do?

Would it be wrong for me to tell her to get the hell out?

Chapter 4

What were you thinking?

Eva

What are you going to do? I repeated Leah’s question.  I would suggest you leave Phillip alone and stay out of Sharon’s way.

It’s just not that simple. I never should have agreed to this. Leah turned away, still crying and walked back into the guest bathroom.

The wheels in my head started to spin. Something wasn’t quite right. What did she mean she should have never agreed to this? That’s a strange way to say she should have never slept with Phillip.

Leah. I called to her wanting to find out what she was talking about. When she didn’t respond I began walking towards the bathroom.  I took three steps and then my doorbell rang.

Who the hell is it now?  I turned around and went to the door. I looked through the peephole before opening the door.

Sharon, Leah is still here and I don’t want any more trouble. I blocked her entry.

I know she is still here, she’s waiting for me. Sharon’s demeanor was surprisingly calm.

What are you talking about? Why would she be waiting for you? Leah is a lot of things, but a fool who likes to get a beating isn’t one of them.

She knows I’m not going to lay a hand on her again. Sharon gently pushed pass me. Trust me. Leah. Sharon called to her.

Give me a minute, Sharon. I’ll be out soon. Leah called back to my surprise. I followed Sharon into my living room where we both took a seat.

What is going on, Sharon? I was certain things weren’t quite what they seemed. Before Sharon could answer, Leah entered the room. To my surprise Sharon stood and walked over to Leah and gave her a hug.

That was a bit more than I expected. Leah stepped back with her arms out so Sharon could get a good look at the damage she had done.

All right you two… what is going on?

I know this seems strange, but a few months back, Leah, unlike you, Eva, told me that Phillip had made a pass at her.

Unlike me? I said, becoming irritated.

Yes, unlike you. Leah told me that he had made a pass at you too.

That’s when she told me her plan to deal with Phillip’s need to cheat, Leah said.

Other than divorcing him and moving on, what else is there? I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

Letting him cheat with one of my best friends and teaching him a lesson so that he will never do it again. Sharon said it as if it was the most logical thing she’d ever said instead of the craziest.

Excuse me? Have you lost your mind? Why in the name of being sane would you even think about doing this, let alone doing it? And Leah, why would you agree to go along with this plan?

Sharon was very convincing at the time, Leah said.

So, what’s next? I asked my crazy friends.

I let him go, Sharon said.  He has to see what life is like without me.

Well, Leah said. I better get going. I need to get home and clean up so I can get to work. She gave Sharon an awkward hug and turned to leave. I followed her to the door to let her out.

Leah, you know this wasn’t a good idea. I opened the door for her.

If I didn’t know it then, I definitely know it now. Her eyes told the whole story.

You’re in love with him. It was a statement I didn’t need to make it a question. Leah didn’t say a word; she just walked out the door. I closed the door and walked back to the living room.

Sharon sat where I’d left her, but her bravado was gone and tears were freely running down her face. I walked over and rubbed her back. What were you thinking, Sharon?

Before you judge me, know that if he hadn’t cheated with her, he’d have cheated with someone else. When she told me he had made a move on her I could see in her eyes that she wasn’t upset about it at all. Before I knew what I was saying, I told her to go for it. I thought they would have a fling and be done with it. That fool wasn’t supposed to fall in love with him, Eva.  Now I have to play things close until I can figure out what to do next. Divorce is the last resort.

I had to bite my lip; she didn’t want to hear what I had to say. I didn’t know what her overall plan was, but I couldn’t see this working in anyone’s favor, especially hers.

I had never heard such foolishness, have you?

Chapter 5

A Time to Pack

Eva

Although I had a lot to say, I kept my mouth shut. I waited patiently as Sharon cried her heart out. Finally, she pulled some tissue out of her purse, wiped her eyes, and blew her nose. I need to freshen up and get out of here. There’s a lot I need to do today.

She stood, purse in hand, and headed for the bathroom. Her heels tapped loudly along the hardwood floor, before becoming silent behind the closed bathroom door. I sat quietly and tried to wrap my mind around this morning’s events. It was hard to do.

Ten minutes later Sharon stepped out of the bathroom, her composure back intact. Eva, I need to get going. I followed her to the door. If I could have stopped her from whatever insane plan she was about to initiate I would have.

It’ll be okay, Eva. In my practice I’ve seen a lot of casualties from broken marriages. Most people want it to be an easy skip along a beautiful seashore, but the truth is it’s a strategic war. You have to fight to get to the seashore and most people quit at the sound of the approaching army.

Only problem is the soldiers you are fighting are supposed to be on the same side.

Like I said, it’s not easy, Sharon said with a sad smile. She left and I closed the door behind her. For once I was glad I wasn’t married.

Sharon

Sharon called Phillip’s mother and asked her to pick up Sienna and PJ when school let out. Because it wasn’t out of the norm for Sharon to ask her to pick them up, his mother agreed without question.

After hanging up the phone she took a deep breath. She was heading home and she knew Phillip would be waiting for her there. If she was to save her marriage, she had to prepare herself and stick to her guns.

She pulled into their driveway. Even though his car wasn’t visible she knew Phillip was there. Keep it together, Sharon, she whispered to herself as she exited her car.

Phillip was waiting in the entryway. He started talking the moment she crossed the threshold. Sharon, I am so sorry. You have to believe me.

Oh there is no doubt in my mind that you are sorry. She blew past him and started up the stairs, heading for their bedroom. He was two steps behind her. She entered their bedroom and walked to their closet. She grabbed the largest suitcase and slammed it on the bed.

Sharon, I know you are hurt and angry, but this is my home too and I am not moving out.

No one asked you to. Sharon grabbed some of her clothes from the closet and threw them in the suitcase. I'll go. She grabbed some more clothes.

You can’t leave, Phillip said, blocking her path. We need to work this out, not run away. We can get through this.

You were selfish enough to not only cheat, but cheat with Leah. So if I want to take some time to think things through, then that is what I’m going to do. Now your mom is going to pick the kids up today. I suggest that you don’t tell them anything until we figure out what we are going to do.

Are you staying with Eva? Phillip needed to know.

Nope. Sharon kept packing.

How can you leave the kids? Who’s going to look after them?

You are going to look after them. You are going to take them to little league, ballet, piano lesson, and so on and so on. Their schedules are on the white board in the kitchen. Tell them I went to a conference and I’ll call them tonight. When I call I want to talk to them, not you. And before you ask, I don’t know how long I’ll be away and I don’t know when I’ll be ready to talk to you. As soon as I know, you’ll know. Sharon closed the suitcase, snatched it up, and walked out.

Chapter 6

Sick of Being Single

Eva

It had been a half hour since Sharon had left my place. I was once again sitting at my desk and attempting to regain my focus. After logging into The SSMD website I pushed all the madness that happened earlier to the back of my mind. It was time to pick the first post I thought could use my advice. Like an athlete with before game habits, I rubbed my nameplate I took from my office at work, then the cup I’d purchased that said Future Millionaire. I began reading through the posts looking for one that needed my attention. Finally, after thirty-five minutes the following post caught my interest:

Dear SSMD,

I’m a 35-year-old single female who is sick of being single. I’m tired of reading self-help books and tired of being set up with fixer-uppers by well-meaning friends. I have been given many reasons, by the same friends, for why I’m still single. I have been told I’m too fat. I’ve been told I’m too thin. (Apparently, it depends on the size of the friend who’s giving you advice.) I’ve been accused of being too picky, too needy, too independent, too unapproachable, and so on and so on. I just want to find one good man to spend my life with, but I’m starting to think it’s not written in the stars for me. So I’m writing in to you as a Hail Mary hoping you can think outside the nightclub, church, gym, or online dating services, and suggest some valid places or ways for me to meet decent men.

Sincerely,

Sick of Being Single

The fact that she was sick of being single wasn’t what caught my interest. Truthfully, many of the post I’d read before hers stated the same thing. It was the fact that she had challenged me to think beyond the standard responses. I sat back and thought for a moment. Then, I thought some more. If she was Leah she would look in one of her best friends’ bed, but if she found one there he wasn’t worth finding. Hmmm, I think to myself. How should I respond?

Chapter 7

Stop Looking

Eva

Dear Sick of Being Single,

Here are some of my observations and experiences around finding a man. The majority of my friends who have a man weren’t out patrolling for him. There are less than a handful who were aggressively looking and found one, but you have to ask yourself in which scenario do you want to place your bets. Do an analysis of your married friends and see how they met their men. Also, think about your past boyfriends; how many of them did you meet while out on the prowl? If your friends and experiences are anything like mine you may come to the same conclusion I did. You need to stop looking.

I truly believe men can sense when a woman is sick of being single, and out looking. I believe it is a turnoff and why a lot of attractive women don’t even get approached.

So because of the above observations and experiences here is my advice to you. Stop being sick of being single and start enjoying it. Find activities you enjoy and get involved. (Make sure some of the activities are co-ed. After all we have to be realistic.) 

Sincerely,The SSMD Advisor

After posting my response I was reminded by my growling stomach that I hadn’t bothered to eat breakfast. There was a neighborhood bakery that I loved, but rarely found the time to stop in. It was time to take that walk that was denied me earlier.

Leah

Leah was too distraught to go to work. She’d been calling Phillip since she’d left Eva’s and each time her heart cracked more when he didn’t answer. He had run after Sharon without even a thought for her well-being. He should be the one calling her and explaining himself. All those empty words of love he’d expressed and she had believed him.

Leah spent the day at home alternating between crying, calling Phillip, being angry with him, angry with Sharon, and angry with herself. By the time nightfall arrived she was boiling over with anger with Sharon and Phillip. Neither one had thought enough of her to call.

Her heart soared when her doorbell rang at around eight that night. She rushed to the door expecting to find an apologetic Phillip. Disappointment, then anger flashed across her face when she realized it was Justin, her ex, who loved to pop in on her after disappearing for months.

Don't be mad, I— that was as far as he got before Leah pulled him inside and slammed the door. If ever she needed a distraction, now was the time.

Chapter 8

Shacking

Eva

The weather outside was beautiful and I took it all in as I walked to the bakery. With the horrible morning I’d had, the optimist in me said it could only get better. I was wrong. As soon as I’d stepped into the bakery I heard my name being called by one of the last people on earth I would ever want to see.

Eva, Rachel called out to me again, waving me to her table at the back of the bakery. Since, I’m not even close to being someone she would normally want to see, I knew she had a hammer ready to drop on my head.

I waved and said, No time to chat. I have to get back to work. I hurried to the counter and ordered my coffee and pastry.

Oh, I won’t take much of your time, Rachel said, walking up to me. The server handed me my coffee and pastry bag. I had a flashback of Sharon dumping coffee over Leah’s head. I fought the urge to do the same to Rachel. 

I just wanted to share my wonderful news. Her grin told me the news was big so I braced myself. Mike and I are engaged. She threw her left hand up in my face to show me the large rock on her finger.

I immediately felt ill, but I hid it behind a big smile and surprised her by squealing happily (something I never do) and giving her a big hug with an extra hard squeeze. Congratulations girl.

She looked at me suspiciously and said, Should I tell Mike you said the same to him?

Oh, don’t bother. I’ll tell him myself when he calls me later. Slapping her couldn’t have gotten me a better result. She wasn’t happy with my comment at all. Well, congratulations again. I have to get going. I sauntered out before she could say another word.

I couldn’t walk home fast enough. I was livid. For five years I’d lived with that man, practically giving up my life trying to please him. Every time I brought up marriage he gave me one excuse after another why we had to wait. I’d moved out and we broke up just over a year ago. Since then, he started dating Rachel a month after we broke up and now they are engaged. Five damn years. 

In my haste I didn’t notice Rachel’s car drive past me on my block. She didn’t notice me either, probably because she was on the phone with Mike questioning him about why he was still calling me. I’m sure he assured her he wasn’t, which was the truth, but I bet she didn’t believe him.    

What the... I stopped short when I finally noticed Rachel. She had parked next door to my house and was greeting a tall, athletic looking man with a handshake and smile. I ducked behind a tree before she could spot me and watched them enter into the house next to mine. Rachel was a realtor and apparently showing the house next door. 

After they went inside I rushed to my house and let myself in quickly. The last thing I wanted was to run into her again. Back in my office I knew which post I was going to respond to next. I had skipped it before not sure if I should respond but now I had to. The post read:

Dear SSMD,

My boyfriend and I have been together for almost two years. I really want to get married, but he thinks we should live together first. My aunt and mother say I shouldn’t, but my friends don’t see a problem with it. I keep going back and forth and can’t decide.

Please advise,

Considering Shacking

I thought about me and Mike and before I knew it I was crying. Maybe this isn’t a post I should respond to, maybe I’m too bias.

Chapter 9

I’ll Fly Away

Eva

I was amazed how fast my heartache returned. For me to cry over a relationship that changed me in ways I didn’t like was ridiculous. Truthfully, I wouldn’t go back to Mike for all the wealth in the world. Don’t get me wrong, Mike was a good guy, he just wasn’t good for me.

Considering Shacking may not have the same experience I had with shacking, but I could give her some things to consider before she decides. I plucked up a Kleenex, dried my eyes, and wiped my nose. Then I posted:

Dear Considering Shacking,

I first want to point out to you that you said you want to be married. Keep that in mind then picture yourself moving in with your boyfriend. Are you as happy as you would be if you two were married first, or are you disappointed? Does it feel a bit like settling? Picture yourself settling into a routine after the first year. Do you think he will be ready to marry you, or will he be happy with you two continuing to live together? Do you know what has to happen in your relationship for him to be ready to marry you? How many years are you willing to wait for him to decide, or will you be happy simply shacking? Picture yourself at family and other social events the first year and imagine yourself introducing him. Now imagine yourself at the same events year after year hearing the question over and over that will remind you of what you really wanted in the first place. A question that is running through your mind as well, When are you two getting married? After imagining all this ask yourself would you be happy. If the answer is yes, then go for it. If not, avoid it like the plague.

Sincerely,

The SSMD Advisor

I left it at that and hoped she’d make the right decision for herself. I placed a quick call to Sharon wanting to make sure she was okay, but she didn’t answer.

Phillip

Phillip was home with the kids eating pizza. His mother had dropped them off after school. Sharon had called as promised and spoke only to the children. He suspected she was staying over Eva’s, but he wasn’t sure. Leah had been calling non-stop all day, but he ignored her calls because he wanted time to figure out just what to say to her. Or better yet, how to tell her it was over. He wanted his marriage to work and regret settled on his shoulders like a heavy stone.

By the time the kids were in bed he was emotionally exhausted. His keeping up the charade that everything was fine, while worrying whether things would ever be fine again, had drained him completely. He showered and dressed for bed. He thought about calling Sharon, but he knew she wouldn’t answer. Picking up his cell phone, he texted her, I will always regret hurting you. Love you, P.

Sharon

Sharon’s cell phone was turned off in her purse. She looked out the plane window and thought about her kids. They’ll be fine, she told herself, I’ll be back in a few days, and when I return, I’ll be ready to deal with this mess.

Chapter 10

Self Sabotage

Phillip

Phillip hadn’t heard from Sharon in three days. She called the children directly via Sienna’s cell phone every night. They thought she was away at a conference. Running the house without her was a nightmare. The kids had some type of activity every day, and he was running from one end of the city to the next. He had to arrange dinner every night, and to his amazement the kids were getting tired of fast food. He had to admit that he was too. On top of that he hadn’t slept much since she’d left.

Leah

Leah hadn’t heard from Sharon or, more importantly, Phillip, in three days and she was tired of waiting. Early Friday morning she was