Chapter Thirty-Four
Jerome walked in the house and right away noticed Renee’s luggage by the garage door. She hadn’t mentioned a business trip, so he was confused. Without exhausting himself, he walked upstairs. Renee was in their bedroom loading a small carry bag with accessories. “What’s going on?” he asked.
Without stopping, Renee said, “I don’t want to drag this out, so I’ll get to the point.” She turned around to face Jerome. “I’m leaving.”
Jerome fell onto the bed. “What brought this on? I thought things were getting better between us.”
“After church yesterday, I got to thinking about Joi’s visit. This may be selfish, but at this point in my life, I don’t want to rearrange my world to include a child I didn’t give birth to. And there’s no other explanation I can give you for my feelings. I just don’t want to deal with this. I love you, but I need to move on to a new chapter in my life.”
“Is Everett the reason you don’t want to give this a try?”
“You’ve got to be kidding me? Trying is all I’ve been doing since I found out about her. I’ve tried to be understanding. I’ve tried to accept the fact that you had an affair. I’ve tried to accept that you need time with her. I’ve tried to cope with her bonding with my kids and my grandbabies. I’m sick and tired of trying
Jerome. Can you please try and understand that?” Renee closed her carry bag and headed out the door.
Jerome jumped up, blocking her way. “Please, you can’t leave like this.”
“I have to.” Renee pushed her way out the door and down the stairs.
Fighting for another chance, Jerome grabbed her waist. “I can’t let you leave.” He held Renee’s face in the palm of his hands and kissed her passionately, hoping Renee would be able to feel the love.
She kissed him back, but when they were done, she looked into his eyes and said, “Goodbye. I’ll call you in a few days, and we can talk about this house.”
Jerome couldn’t believe she was actually ending their marriage. “What about you and Everett? Are you leaving to be with him?”
“Don’t turn this around. Everett has nothing to do with my decision. I know I’m supposed to heed the Spirit, but this thing with Joi is taking over my mind.”
“Are you seeing him?”
“Everett is a good friend. Always had been.”
“Please, Renee. God wouldn’t want us to do this.”
“I’m not so sure God wants me to spend my golden years unhappy either,” she said. “Why did you have to do this to us, Jerome? Why did you have to go back to her? We were finally on the right track.”
“I was scared,” Jerome admitted. “I was leaving my hometown and friends. I was nervous about not living up to your expectations. I wasn’t sure if I’d like the job, but I was willing to do it to please you.” Jerome looked at the floor. “I was scared.”
“Then you should’ve talked to me about it. I was your wife!” Renee turned to leave and stopped when Jerome fell to the floor.
Grabbing Renee’s free hand, he pleaded, “Renee, please, I’m begging you. I’ll do whatever I can to make this better.”
Renee pulled away and walked into the garage, loading as many bags as she could in two trips, and Jerome stood by watching as the love of his life slipped away.