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"I need to be alone tonight," Adelaide announced as she placed the last of the food in the refrigerator before stacking the empty trays on the counter.
"If that's what you need," Gavin rubbed the back of his neck before heading upstairs for a shower.
A good, long shower was just what he needed before crashing for the night, the lack of sleep the night before hitting him at full force.
Adelaide waited until Gavin closed the washroom door behind him before motioning for her children to come closer to where she stood.
"You heard what your father said tonight in the car, and yes, I promised I would think about it, but I can't do this. I need you to go to your rooms and quietly pick out the items that are most important to you. I'm going to call your aunt, Jaira, and ask if we can stay at her place for a bit until I figure out what to do, but no, we are not going to be living with your father and aunt Arlana like a bunch of hippies. He must be out of his mind to even suggest...well, it doesn't matter. Just do as I said and meet me in my bedroom. I'm going to call Jaira now while your father is in the shower."
Joshua waited until his sisters disappeared down the hall before turning to his mother.
"Mom, I know you're hurt and don't blame you, but you know Dad's never been happier and you and Dad are fighting much less now that..."
Adelaide held up her hand, motioning for Joshua to stop talking about it.
"I need to make this phone call quickly before he's out of the shower, but no, that doesn't matter. You're too young to understand and after today, I'm quite certain it is just your hormones that are talking. You need to think with your head, not... Polygamy is not a life for us - it is a sin. I will have no part in it. Now, go pack your things. We don't have much time."
Adelaide grabbed the white envelope and package she'd noticed tucked in one of the trays of food, bringing both with her into the bedroom. Placing the package on the dresser, she opened the white envelope first, addressed simply to Mrs. Adelaide Kirkpatrick.
To Adelaide's horror, the envelope contained a number of photographs, each dated. Adelaide's fingers trembled as she looked at photograph after photograph of her husband and sister in compromising positions - from kissing passionately with Arlana's legs wrapped around him as Gavin pinned her against the wall to pictures of them on a couch in an office, caught in the act. Adelaide took a deep, shuddering breath as she jammed the pictures back into the envelope before placing both the envelope and matching white package in her purse. Addy was more determined than ever to follow through on her plan. The pictures, if given to her earlier that day would have been devastating. Now that Gavin had been honest, they just solidified Adelaide's decision.
Motioning with her free hand for the children to come into the room when they tapped softly on her bedroom door, Adealide reached for her address book, dialing the one person who might be able to help her.
"Hey Jaira, I wouldn't do this if it weren't an absolute emergency, but something came up and I need to get out of here for a bit. Do you think William would mind if the kids and I stay at your place for a week or so? I just need a place to go while I clear my head and figure out the next steps..."
"Addy, is everything alright? Is it the kids? Gavin? You know you can tell me anything."
"I just need a place to stay for a few days," Adelaide hedged, looking up at her children, but it was Joshua who caught her attention, his clear blue eyes mirroring their sadness at leaving their father forever.
"I'm sure it is fine. When can you get here? Are you taking the train?"
"No...I'm going to ask Gavin to drop us off on his way down east tomorrow," Adelaide replied as she changed her initial plan.
"Oh, I didn't realize he worked this way."
"Yes, he's working on a project in Nova Scotia for a few months. I'm going to talk with him now, but will let you know if anything changes. He'd mentioned wanting to leave first thing in the morning but I'll message you when we are getting close."
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then. Goodnight."
"Mom?" Joshua raised an eyebrow the moment his mother hung up the phone, slipping it within her purse.
"Get to bed kids, tomorrow is going to be a big day. I need to speak with your father."
The children didn't argue, leaving their suitcases in their parents' room as they made their way back down the hall. Tying her hair back, Adelaide squared her shoulders and turned toward the living room.
"Gavin."
"Yes?"
"I've thought about what you've said and the offer for us to join you in Nova Scotia. I'm not ready to take that step yet, but I need to leave town. I have to clear my head for a bit. I was just speaking with Jaira, but didn't tell her anything, of course. I don't intend to either. I know polygamy runs in the family but...well, it is not something I want to announce to the world. I'm not even certain that Jaira is aware of the family secret and I'd like to keep it that way. I asked if the kids and I would be able to come stay with her for a bit - a mini vacation away from here. I'm thinking that by the time you return from Nova Scotia, I will have had plenty of time to think the situation over and will decide if I am willing to take the next step and move to the ranch or...or discuss a divorce."
Gavin swallowed hard. Adelaide wasn't asking for anything unreasonable.
"I can drop you off on our way back. I need you to give it a week, that's it. If you can't handle it, we can cut the trip short and I will return to Nova Scotia after I drop you off. Arlana and I will remain in the past - there will be no need for a divorce. In all honesty, I wanted to stay at the fort and wouldn't have returned if it weren't for you and the kids. I can't describe it to you, Addy, but it feels like home - something you really need to experience for yourself."
Adelaide rubbed her temples deep in thought. It would be the most fascinating hands-on field trip the kids would ever experience.
"And Arlana? I don't want to...I don't think I can after everything."
"We will discuss the situation together as a family and then decide how to proceed. Let's just focus on the adventure for the children and play it by ear for now. One week, Addy. Just seven days is all I'm asking for - for you to give it a try, no strings attached. After a week, then we will have this discussion again. I've been doing some research on polygamy and..."
"I don't want to hear it. Not tonight. Okay, I'll come to Nova Scotia with you on a trial basis - but only for the sake of the children. I want them to have this experience. As for you, Arlana, and I...you're right, we need to take it one day at a time. Just please, don't humiliate me publically. I don't think I could bear it."
"Of course not," Gavin agreed, not exactly sure if he would be able to keep his hands to himself for an entire seven days.