"Good morning kids!" I tried to sound enthusiastic, but was met with only depressed stares. They knew it was our last day in this extra-long vacation. And nothing was going to change that.
Not that they didn't try, of course. Over breakfast they pleaded for a few more days. There were even promises from doing more chores to actual financial bribes. But in spite of what they said, there was no way I was going to let Clara and Rory's college funds be used in such a manner.
I was happy. Something about making love to Alan last night made me realize how exciting my future would be. Perhaps it was idiotic to move to a place we've never been to before, but it still rang true in my heart. New Mexico, Land of Enchantment sure sounded better than Ohio, The Buckeye State. It was time to move on, shedding my rotting marriage and starting out fresh. I was a pupa, looking for my wings. Yuck. What a terrible metaphor. But I was giddy, so there you have it. The plan for the day was to hang out at one park and end with the big villains show. Alan and I led our less-than-happy spawn through the same attractions they had enjoyed earlier, but we seemed to be getting more out of it.
Now, I've read all the books and magazines. I know kids have trouble with the concept of time. So it made sense that they compared today to the end of the world. Hell, in the past I would have felt the same way. But today, I saw a bright light at the end of the Tunnel O' Adultery, and it filled me with hope.
At lunchtime, we ducked into a restaurant. Alice and Clara had perked up a bit, but the boys still looked miserable. Alan looked at me the way a cannibal views shipwrecked, overweight tourists. What can I say? I was just too damned happy.
"So," Clara began as she grabbed another roll from the bread basket, "we are really moving? With them?" She cocked her head at Alan.
I nodded. "Yup. You and Alice can share a room, and you can decorate it any way you like."
Clara and Alice burst into squeals. I believe if we were at Home Depot, they would be comparing carpet swatches as we speak. I wondered if Berber comes in pink?
Rory and Jack hugged each other silently. They were still very quiet. Was something wrong or were they just having pre post-vacation doldrums?
"And you boys can have your own room too," Alan said with an easy smile.
"Okay," they responded in unison.
Okay? Well, obviously the doldrums. Clara and Alice seemed to be fine, so I brushed all worry aside.
Throughout the course of the day, Alan and I made our evil plans of marital destruction. Since both Susan and Mike were expecting it, I suppose it wasn't exactly pre-meditated. We talked about seeing lawyers, signing the papers, packing, and moving out.
"I think it will be easier if we just take what we need," I whispered to Alan on one of the rides.
"Sure," he whispered back, "but don't forget the sentimental stuff."
I shook my head, "I won't forget the baby pictures, family things…"
Alan interrupted, "I meant the Alan box. I'm curious to see what's in it after all these years."
I laughed, "Fine. I'll remember it. But all that's in there are the notes you slid under my dorm room door."
"I'm sure it's not Pulitzer Prize winning material, but it will still be fun to read." Alan squeezed my hands, and then turned his attention to the kids in front of us.
"Alan," I whispered, trying to get his attention, "are we completely nuts?"
He nodded. "Of course we are. But we are happy. That's more important."
"True," I agreed, letting the matter drop.
A few hours later, over dinner, I noticed that the boys were still silent.
"Rory? Are you alright?" I asked gently, trying not to attract the attention of the girls.
My son nodded but didn't say anything. Okay, I told myself, you got the answer you wanted to hear. Now drop it.
The show at the movies park is huge, filled with princesses, villains, and a giant dragon that sets the moat on fire with his breath. In other words, it's really cool. We were seated on the left-hand side of the show. Magical heroes fought off all of the villains, both on screen and animatronically. It really was something to see. Clara and Alice sat on either side of Alan, alternately clapping and burying their faces in his chest. Jack and Rory were with me, riveted to the performance. Looking down at the tops of their heads, I realized everything was going to be fine.
The only bad thing about the show, is that thousands…maybe tens of thousands of people are moving toward the parking lot at the same time. So, you are basically floating in a sea of humanity, and it is overwhelming. Alan had hold of the girls' hands as he walked ahead of us. I had the boys.
My phone vibrated on my hip. It was Alan. I looked ahead and saw that he wasn't there anymore. I let go of Rory's hand to answer it.
"Hey!" His voice was cheerful, at least. "Where are you?"
I looked around. We were in the chute, a kind of driveway that circumvented the main park, letting out at the busses. "Not far from you, I think." I felt pressure as a couple of people pushed past me.
"Well, meet you at the front gate then." Alan hung up.
I snapped the phone back into the carrier on my belt and reached for Rory's hand. Jack still clung to my right hand, but as I looked down, I realized that I no longer had Rory with me. In fact, I couldn't see him anywhere.