Crystal Lies - Melody Carlson [23]
“I’m sure he’s perfectly fine. Probably just steamed at me for stepping over the line when I bailed out our son.”
She frowned. “It would be hard to leave your son in jail, even for just one night.”
“That’s how I felt. But Geoffrey thought it would be good for him—those were his exact words. He was really angry at me yesterday morning. He probably thought it would shake me up when he didn’t come home last night.” Despite everything that had gone on during the last twenty-four hours, I couldn’t help but giggle. “But then I never went home either.”
“You two.” She shook her head.
I sighed. “Too bad all this drama has just been going to waste.”
“You should see a counselor, Glennis.”
“I should see a counselor? What about Geoffrey? Or Jacob, for that matter?”
“Well, yes, of course. But you can’t force them to get help.”
“Tell me about it.”
“But you can get help for yourself.”
I studied her for a moment, so together in her off-white jacket and matching capri pants. Even the pale blue shell under her jacket seemed to bring out the color of her eyes. Her light brown hair styled neatly as usual and makeup just perfect, Sherry had it all together. I suspected that even her handbag and shoes matched. In some ways this was just the kind of woman that Geoffrey would appreciate. But she was devoted to her husband, a fine Christian man who had a reputation for being one of the only honest building contractors in town. I’d met Sherry at a women’s Bible study. I’d been as impressed with her intelligent comments as I was with her coordinated wardrobe. I wasn’t surprised to learn that she worked part-time as a very successful real-estate agent. It seemed that everything Sherry touched had a way of turning into gold. I suppose I’d hoped some of that would rub off onto me. Based on the recent events of my life, that had clearly not been the case.
“I know a woman,” she continued, and suddenly I wondered if I’d missed something.
“What?”
“A counselor.”
“Oh, right.”
“She’s wonderful. I know you’ll love her. Her name is Lucy Abrams. I’ll give you her number.” Already Sherry had located a neat little notepad in her handbag and was writing down a name and number. She pushed it across the table to me. “It’s not that I don’t want to listen to you, Glennis. I do. But I just don’t feel qualified to give you advice about, well, your marriage and everything. I’m afraid I might fall back on my old fundamentalist roots and start preaching at you about how divorce is the devil’s domain.” She made a face. “You know, stuff like that.”
I nodded. I did know. She and I had both come from pretty conservative church backgrounds where words like forgiveness, grace, and mercy were seldom heard. But we’d found comfort in each other and in the understanding we had as a result of our upbringing.
“It’s not that I think divorce is a good thing,” she continued. “But I do believe there are some cases where marriages can’t continue. For instance, abuse. I would never encourage a woman who’s being abused to stay in her marriage.”
“Well, Geoffrey never abused me. At least not physically.”
The three women from city hall were getting up to leave. But I suspected that Judith had noticed me when her face suddenly changed from its otherwise placid expression to something akin to slight shock. I’m sure it was because I was looking so pathetic, like some unfortunate bag lady that Sherry had kindly picked up off the street and offered a meal. Even so, I managed to hold up my hand in a pitiful little wave and smile. To my relief, Judith smiled back and then simply exited. I would’ve been mortified if she’d come any closer or even greeted me in my current condition. And I couldn’t imagine what she might possibly say to my husband the next time their paths crossed, and I felt sure they would. Perhaps she would ask him if his wife had been seriously ill.
“Did they go?” asked Sherry.
“Yes. But Judith recognized me.”
“Well, you know it’s only a matter of time before everyone starts hearing about this.” Then she held up her hand as if in an oath.