A Road Of Consequences: The Road Of Many

By Cheri LePage

Brooke Hart, Mallory Ridge, and Skyler Collins are three women whose lives are affected by the consequences of their or someone else's decisions. Each must be strong with dealing with their lives, such as jobs, an unplanned pregnancy and the men who they are involved with. The decision they make regarding

• Language: English
• Publisher: ReadersMagnet LLC
• Release date: Oct 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890912589

Cheri LePage

Cheri lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband, Dan. She has two daughters, Megan and Sandra, and one granddaughter, Brooklyn. She's known by family and friends for her homemade chocolate chip cookies, and love for her family. This is her eighteenth book, and she can be reached at [e-mail].

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A Road of Consequences: The Road of Many

Copyright © 2023 by Cheri LePage

Published in the United States of America

ISBN Paperback: 979-8-89091-257-2

ISBN eBook: 979-8-89091-258-9

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of ReadersMagnet, LLC.

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Interior design by Don De Guzman

Chapter One

Brooke Hart and her husband, Derrick had been married for three years when her beloved grandmother passed away. Brooke was deeply saddened by the death of her grandmother, as she had practically raised her. Grandma Lily had babysat her for years as her parents worked, and the two of them had been very close.

When Grandma Lily’s will was read, Brooke was surprised to learn her grandmother had left her a large cash inheritance, with the speculation that it could only be used for buying a house. It brought a warm glow to her heart, as she had told her grandmother many times since getting married how much she wanted to buy a house.

When Brooke started looking for a house for them, she expected it to be easy, but each one she looked at, had something she didn’t like about it. After looking at over a hundred houses, she was about to give up, when she finally found a house that was perfect for them.

Not only did she fall in love with the location, it had everything she wanted in a house. After watching the neighborhood children ride their bicycles up and down the street for a while, she knew it was the perfect place to raise their children, as it was located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. With it being a dead-end street, she knew she wouldn’t have to worry about cars speeding down the street while children she hoped to have someday, played outside. As soon as they moved in, they began working on starting a family, but as each day passed, she didn’t get pregnant.

Derrick offered to go to the doctor to be tested and when he came home, he told her he was fine; therefore, she was the one who had the problem. Her dream had been of her sitting on the front porch drinking a glass of iced tea and watching her own children play, but she now knew differently. If they wanted a child, they would a have to adopt. They discussed it and decided they would adopt, but before they could start the adoption process, Derrick started spending less and less time at home.

A month later, Brooke was sitting on her front porch drinking a cup of hot tea, watching the neighborhood children play kick ball. When she saw Derrick’s car coming down the street, she frowned, worried something was wrong, as he wasn’t due home for another hour.

When he got out of the car, she stood to greet him, but instead of kissing her as usual, he walked right pass her and stepped into the house. Confused by his actions, she followed him into the house; neither of them said anything as she trailed him to their bedroom.

When she saw him grab a suitcase out of the closet and started filling it with his clothes, her forehead wrinkled with puzzlement. Derrick, are you going somewhere? she asked him.

I want a divorce, he said as he threw his underwear into the suitcase, refusing to look at her as he continued filling the suitcase.

You’re kidding, aren’t you? As Brooke stared at him, her eyes filled with the dullness of her disbelief of his statement.

Nope, I will get my other belongings later, he said without any emotion.

She grabbed hold of his hand and pulled him to look at her. Does this have anything to do with the fact I can’t have children? Her eyes filled with tears, expecting him to say that was why he was leaving.

He looked away, refusing to meet her eyes before he spoke. No, of course not, he muttered, as he looked down at his clothes in the suitcase.

She began wandering restlessly around the room, her mind full of what she could do to change his mind. If it doesn’t have anything to do with that, then why are you leaving me?

He glanced over at her. Haven’t you noticed that we don’t spend much time together anymore?

Whose fault is that? She shouted at him, as he was the one who came home after she’d gone to bed.

His expression turned to one of anger. "Are you saying it’s all my fault? If it bothered you so much that I was coming home late, why didn’t you say something to me about it?" He watched her as he waited for her response.

At his comment, she realized she should have talked to him about the fact he came home late each night, but after they found out they couldn’t have a baby of their own, she’d been hurting. So instead of trying to talk to him about how she felt, she went to bed, and the two of them didn’t talk about subject as weeks turned into months.

You’re right, I should have talked to you about our situation, she muttered, but she’d assumed once he came to term, she was sterile, things would go back to the way it had been before the devastating news. When it hadn’t, she should have confronted him about coming home late each night. Still his leaving came as somewhat of a surprise to her.

She returned to the bed and touched his arm to stop him from packing. We could work harder at our marriage; I’m willing to do anything to save what we have; maybe we could go see a marriage counselor. We’ve been married for five years, won’t you give it another try, she asked softly, hoping he would be willing to try to save their marriage.

He shook his head as he looked up at her. No, I’ve met someone new, someone who makes me feel alive, something I haven’t felt in a long time. As soon as our divorce is final, we’re getting married and starting a new life together.

She sucked in a breath from his statement, as she was furious that he had gotten involve with another woman while still married to her. If you leave me, you’ll have to live with the consequences of this decision, she threatened, hoping it would change his mind. So, I’m telling you right now, if your relationship ends with this other woman, don’t you dare come crawling back to me begging for me to forgive you, she told him with tears in her eyes.

He turned away from her soul-piercing eyes. I’m sorry Brooke, I hadn’t meant for any of this to happen, he muttered as he closed his suitcase.

Yea, sure, she replied hatefully. If he’d truly loved her, he wouldn’t have gotten involved with another woman behind her back.

He looked up at her. I didn’t really know how bad our situation was until I met Peggy.

How did you meet? It didn’t matter, but she was curious how the other woman had come into her husband’s life.

We happened to meet at a Subway restaurant one day at lunchtime, the place was crowded, and we happened to share a table. We got to talking, and before I knew it, I made plans to meet her there again the next day, and before we knew it, a relationship began. She makes me feel as if I’m the most important person in her life.

Brooke wanted to beg him to stay, but realized his moving out was for the best, for if he didn’t love her any longer, what was the point of trying to save their marriage. They had been so much in love on their wedding day, making her believe their marriage would last until one of them died. It was sad that it hadn’t survived much more than five years, which made her wonder if their marriage, had been a mistake in the first place.

"I hope we can still be friends," Derrick said, with great emphasis on the word friends.

She didn’t respond to his comment, as anything she would say would be hateful, and once she got started, it would only end with more spiteful words being said between them.

Just before he walked out the door, he leaned over, gave her a quick hug and kissed her cheek. I’ll be in touch.

Then he was gone.

After Derrick left, Brooke just sat there staring at the front door, as she expected him to come back home to tell her that it had all been a bad joke. When she realized the emptiness, she had in the pit of her stomach was probably due more to the fact they had been a couple for so long, than actually being hurt about his leaving, she realized that her marriage had been over for some time, but she hadn’t realized it.

She stood and gave herself a good shake, as she needed to make some decisions, such as should she stay here in her house that she loved, or sell it and move into a small apartment? She cringed at that thought, as she hated the idea of moving out of her home.

Needing to talk to someone, Brooke called her friend, Skyler Collins. They had been friends since they were in grade school and knew each other’s dreams and desires for their future. When one of them needed a shoulder to cry on after a breakup with their latest boyfriend, the other one was always there to comfort and listen to them rant and rave about the no-good boyfriend.

When Skyler answered the phone, Brooke told her friend that her husband had left her.

What? I don’t believe this. Skyler shook her head. Were you expecting this to happen?

I must be honest that I’m not shocked by him finding someone new.

At least that scum could have divorced you before he started sniffing around other women, she said heatedly.

Brooke smiled at her friend’s words. You won’t hear me disagreeing.

Skyler felt bad at her comment. I’m sorry. Since technically he’s still your husband, I shouldn’t have said that. I just don’t think highly of people who fool around while they’re still married.

I know. And she did, as the two women had talked about this subject many times over the years. To them, one’s marriage vows were sacred, and you didn’t commit adultery for any reason. If you weren’t happy in the marriage, end it first, then you could fool around as much as you wanted.

I’m going to sharpen my tongue so it will be nice and razor-sharp. So, you better tell him to run in the other direction if he sees me coming, as I’m going to lash into him and tell him what I think of him for what he did to you.

Brooke chuckled. You do have a way with words.

I’m angry because he hurt my friend, she stated loudly.

Brooke smiled. Skyler, you might find this hard to believe, but I’m not hurt. I can’t explain it, but in a way, I’m relieved this has happened.

You aren’t saying this just so I won’t verbally attack Derrick, are you? Skyler knew her friend well enough to know she would say that to protect the creep.

Brooke laughed. Though I would love to see you cuss him out, I must be honest with you that it isn’t all Derrick’s fault our marriage fell apart.

How can you say that? she exclaimed, as she knew how long Brooke had loved Derrick.

Ever since we found out we couldn’t have children; an invisible barrier had formed between us. I could have said something to him about him spending more time away from home, but I guess part of me just didn’t care anymore.

Maybe you two thought you were in love with each other, and because you were dating, you naturally assumed marriage was the next step.

Brooke nodded as she took in her friend’s words. You could be right.

Maybe marriage between you two just wasn’t meant to be. Skyler smiled to herself as she thought of Derrick’s younger brother, Garrison. Maybe there someone out there who was too young for you when you married Derrick, so much so, you didn’t even think about having a relationship with him. Now that you are both older, he wouldn’t be considered too young for you now, she said knowing from watching Garrison whenever he was with Skyler that he felt something for her friend, something more than brotherly love.

Brooke was confused by her statement. What on earth are you talking about?

Skyler would love to come out and tell her what she thought, but on the off chance, she was wrong, she had to keep quiet about her suspicion. I’m just saying there is someone else out there who will be perfect for you.

I’m not sure how long it will take me to be ready to become involved with someone new. Since she didn’t want to be alone for the rest of her life, she knew eventually she would have to see about meeting someone new, but that could wait for another day to figure out.

Just don’t close your heart of getting involved with someone you already know.

Brooke frowned at her friend’s comment. Do you know something I don’t?

I just meant you’re a great catch and any man would be lucky to have you.

Skyler, that’s so nice. I think the same thing about you.

Before saying goodbye, Skyler told her she hoped everything would get better for her, sooner rather than later.

* * *

After she hung up from Skyler, Brooke went to the bedroom to change the sheets on the bed, as it was time to start fresh and just as she started the washer, the phone rang. She hesitated to answer, as she was afraid it might be Derrick. But since they really didn’t have any more to say to each other, she figured it must be someone else calling, so she answered the phone. Hello?

Brooke how are things going with you two this evening? a woman’s voice happily asked.

Brooke cringed, as it was Katrina, Derrick’s mother on the phone. By her words, Brooke realized she didn’t know about her son’s leaving her, which meant it was up to her to tell her mother-in-law that Derrick had left her. Katrina, I have some bad news for you.

What’s wrong? she asked with a panic-filled voice.

Derrick packed his bags and left me, she told her emotionlessly.

What? Why in the world did he do that? Katrina was shocked by Brooke’s statement. I thought things were going well for you two.

He met another woman and after the divorce is final, they’re going to be married.

Oh honey, I’m so sorry. All I can say is that I’m shocked, as I never dreamed this would ever happen to the two of you. How are you handling this?

I’m okay. I understand why he left as it was time for us to dissolve our relationship, she muttered sadly.

Katrina gasped, shocked by her statement. Why do you say that?

Our marriage wasn’t working any more. He worked all the time, coming home after I went to bed; we never talked anymore or spent any time together. We both knew it, but neither of us did anything to end it or try to make it better.

What are you going to do now? Katrina asked, hating the thought of losing her as a daughter-in-law.

I don’t know, I haven’t thought much about it yet. She fought her tears of frustration, as her future looked vague and dark without her husband. I guess I’ll put the house up for sale as there won’t ever be any children to put in this one.

Oh, I hate to see you sell your house that you love so much. I would ask you to move in with me, but that probably wouldn’t be a good idea.

Brooke’s eyes filled with tears at her comment. Thanks for the thought, that means more to me than I can express. Derrick wants this to be a friendly divorce, but I don’t know if it will happen that way or not.

They talked a few minutes more before Brooke said she needed to go. Since her nerves were ragged by what had transpired here today, she decided to step outside to watch the sun set, as it always had a calming effect on her.

After sitting there for ten minutes, she noticed a car slowly making its way down the street towards her, and as it got closer, she saw it’s was Garrison’s car. Brooke had to smile, she figured Katrina must have told Derrick’s younger brother about the divorce. She wished she hadn’t told her mother-in-law about the divorce, but then shook her head, as the divorce wasn’t something she could hide for very long. Seeing him get out of his car, she bit her lip knowing Garrison was liable to ask questions for which she didn’t have answers.

* * *

Garrison had stopped by his mother’s house for a visit and after he’d kissed her hello, she had given him some shocking news. He couldn’t believe Brooke and his brother were getting a divorce, as the two of them had been an item since the summer they moved in next door to Brooke after the death of their father.

That year Derrick was eighteen, she was seventeen and Garrison was sixteen, and he’d fallen in love with her from the first moment he’d laid eyes on her. He’d never let her know how he felt, not only was he too young for her back then, but a short time later, Derrick asked her out, and they soon were a couple. Garrison was greatly disappointed by their relationship, but he never let on about his attraction to the woman he’d lost his heart to the first day they’d met.

Even after all this time, no one knew, except maybe his mother that he was in love with his brother’s wife, as he was sure that over the years, she’d seen him watching Brooke with love in his eyes.

Brooke was a caring and loving person, one who never had a rude word to say about anyone, she always thought of others first, and went out of her way to help those in need. And because of these traits, Garrison was more in love with her now than he had been when he was a teenager.

After college, Derrick and Brooke were married, which caused Garrison to realize she would never be his, and that being so, he started