DOWN THE ROAD

Kaye Leigh was numb, how could this all be happening again? Be still and know that I am God. Kaye Leigh started laughing. Know that you are God? Know that you caused all this pain again? I do not need God or anyone else to survive. Kaye Leigh refused to give Jeff the satisfaction of seeing her fall apart, she had been through all of this before and survived, and she would do it again.

Kaye Leigh found Jeff and Becki’s table.

“Kaye Leigh what’s wrong?” Becki said when she looked at her. Jeff looked up at her.

“Now I know why you were so angry that I was going to meet with Sam, I really should have figured it out on my own, but I guess like Sam said I’m incredibly stupid.” She said. Jeff and Becki starred at her; there was nothing but cold fury in her voice.

“What are…?” Jeff started, but Kaye Leigh had slapped him with all the anger and humiliation she felt.

“We’re through Jeff, completely done.” She said, and then laughed. “I never thought I would find someone that I hated more than Sam, but congratulations Jeff you’ve succeeded in beating him.” With that, Kaye Leigh turned and walked away.

Jeff and Becki were both stunned. What was that all about? Jeff got up and followed Kaye Leigh.

“Wait a minute!” he yelled. When he caught up with her, he grabbed her arm and pulled her around to face him. “You can’t just throw all of that at me without telling me what it was that I was supposed to have done.” He yelled. The whole place was starring at them.

“I owe no one nothing Jeff, remember you said so yourself.” She said and turned around again, but Jeff kept a grip on her arm.

“You owe me an explanation!” he said angrily. “I owe you an explanation?” she said glaring at him.

“How about you explain these!” Kaye Leigh threw the envelope at him and when he let go of her arm to catch it she ran out of the restaurant.

Becki had paid the bill and caught up with them.

“What’s that?” She asked Jeff.

“Whatever Kaye Leigh is mad about.” He replied. They sat down at the bar and looked at the contents of the envelope. Jeff could not believe what he was seeing. Who was this woman? Where did these pictures come from?

Becki was looking at him.

“How long has this been going on Jeff?” she asked shocked. Jeff looked at her.

“I’m not having an affair Becki I swear, I have no idea who this woman is.” He said.

“Jeff you were caught now just save Kaye Leigh the pain and face it. I never would have believed it of you though Jeff.” She said as she left.

Kaye Leigh had left a note at the front desk for Becki letting her know what room she was in now and she left instructions that her room number was not to be given to Jeff. She had moved all of her belongings into the new room and was now looking out the window, crying and wondering what she was going to do now. Her hand went to her cross, when she realized she had it in her hand she pulled it off breaking the chain.

Becki knocked on her door, when Kaye Leigh opened it Becki’s heart broke for her, she had never seen her look so defeated.

“I’m so sorry Kaye Leigh.” Becki said hugging her.

“I’m fine Becki.” Kaye Leigh said.

“What do you want to do about tomorrow?” Becki asked.

“Go on with life, that’s all I can do.” She said without emotion.

Kaye Leigh had decided before Becki got there that she was going out. She went into the bathroom, fixed her make-up, let her hair down, and got ready to go out.

“Where are you going?” Becki asked when she had seen she had changed her clothes and re did her hair.

“Out to have some fun.” She replied.

“What do you mean by “fun” Kaye Leigh?” Becki asked knowing that she was not going to like the answer.

“I’m going to have a drink, I believe I deserve one. Now you can come with me but please don’t lecture me on anything, don’t talk about what happened tonight, and don’t mention Jeff.” She said grabbing her purse and heading out the door. Becki sighed, grabbed her purse, and followed.

When Jeff got back to the hotel, he found out that Kaye Leigh had switched rooms, given instructions that he was not to have her room number, and that she left an envelope at the front desk for him. When he picked up the envelope, he did not know if he should open it or not after the last one, he was not sure what he would find. What he found was the broken chain and cross he had given Kaye Leigh when they rededicated their lives together.

Jeff sat down on the bed and put his hands in his head, this was a nightmare. Deciding he needed help, he called Jon.

“Hello?” Jon said when he answered the phone.

“It’s Jeff.” He said dejectedly.

“What’s wrong?” Jon asked quickly, he was sure from the sound of Jeff’s voice something terrible was wrong. Jeff told him the whole story, and listened to Jon yell about Kaye Leigh meeting with Sam and Jeff allowing it.

“I know I should have put my foot down with her, but I never wanted to do that.” Jeff said wearily.

“You should have told me what she was planning; I would have got the idea out of her head quickly.” Jon said. Jeff laughed. “Ok you say the pictures are of you, but you don’t know who the woman is? And the hotel room is on your credit card from your practice?” Jon said.

“I know you don’t believe me, Becki and Kaye Leigh don’t either.” He said shakily.

“Now wait I didn’t say that, with all the technology that there is out there you would be surprised at what criminals can do and we all know that Sam is definitely a criminal.” Jon said. “When you get back we will take a look at everything and see what we can figure out. Where is Kaye Leigh now?”

“I have no idea, like I said they won’t give me her room number and neither of the girls have their cell phones on or are not taking my calls.” He said.

“I’ll call and get her room number and I will try to contact either of the girls. I’ll call you back when I have something.” Jon said.

“Thanks Jon.” Jeff said. “I appreciate it.”

“That’s what family is for.” Jon said as he hung up.

When they found a bar that Kaye Leigh wanted to go into, Becki grabbed her arm and said “Is this really the answer Kaye Leigh?” Kaye Leigh smiled.

“It works for me.” She said and went inside. Becki shook her head and thought about calling Jeff. When they sat down Kaye Leigh ordered a rum and coke, Becki asked for an ice water.

Soon the waitress was back and had two extra drinks that were sent over by two guys at another table.

“Those gentlemen over there brought these for you two.” The waitress said.

“Tell them thanks but no thanks, we can get our own.” Kaye Leigh said as she took a drink and grimaced. “Not as smooth as I remember.”

“You realize that you’re going to regret this tomorrow?” Becki said.

“I’m going to regret a lot of things tomorrow.” She replied.

The waitress left and Becki watched her take the drinks over to the two men, they did not look very happy.

“I need another drink.” Kaye Leigh said. Becki looked at her.

“You drank that awfully fast Kaye Leigh, maybe you should wait awhile.” She said.

“What did I tell you about lecturing me Becki?” Kaye Leigh said. She got up and went to get another drink.

When she got back to the table, Becki said, “I have to use the bathroom Kaye Leigh do you think you can behave for a couple of minuets by yourself?” Kaye Leigh laughed.

“Of course I am good at behaving myself, which might be my problem.” She said.

Becki left the table. Kaye Leigh could feel the first drink going to her head, but she also could still feel the pain of the night’s events. She downed her second and third drink before Becki got back.

“About time you came back.” Kaye Leigh said, her words slurring a little.

“Are you ready to go back to the hotel now?” Becki asked hopefully.

“No when I feel nothing then I will be ready until then just enjoy yourself Becki.” She replied.

“How are you ladies doing tonight?” a man said as he and another man sat down.

“Excuse me but did I say you could sit down?” Kaye Leigh said.

“Not very friendly are you?” one of the men said.

“You’ll have to excuse my friend she’s had a very bad day.” Becki said. Kaye Leigh laughed.

“Don’t make excuses for me Becki, I’ll tell you like it is. I do not like you; I do not want you around me. Is that clear enough?” Kaye Leigh said to the men. They stood up and called her a few choice words as they walked away. Kaye Leigh laughed. “They think words are going to hurt me?” she said to Becki. “I need to use the bathroom will you order me another drink?”

“Sure why not!” Becki said sarcastically, but Kaye Leigh did not catch it.

Kaye Leigh was coming out of the bathroom, not paying attention when someone opened the door hard and hit her in the face.

“Oh I am so sorry.” A woman said. Kaye Leigh was having trouble focusing on her because of the drinks and the fact that the corner of the door hit her in one of her eyes.

“It’s not your fault, I wasn’t paying attention.” She said.

“Here let me help you back to your table and get some ice for that eye.” The woman said.

Becki looked up as Kaye Leigh was coming back to the table.

“What did you do?” Becki asked standing up.

“Nothing mother.” Kaye Leigh said.

“I’m afraid I hit her with the door when I was going into the bathroom; let me go get her some ice.” The woman said.

Kaye Leigh had two more drinks when Becki said she was leaving.

“Fine what do you care that my marriage is over and my life is in ruins.” She yelled.

“Kaye Leigh you know better than that, I do care and I will forgive you for this because I know that you’re hurting right now, but drinking wasn’t the answer and you know it. I’ll be sitting next to you tomorrow if you’re sick because of this.” Becki said calmly.

“For your information Becki I am not hurt, do you really think a man can hurt me?” she said stumbling as they walked out.

Becki called Jeff and got them a taxi. Jeff yelled a lot about Kaye Leigh drinking, but Becki pointed out that Kaye Leigh was an adult and could do whatever she wanted. She had forgotten to mention Kaye Leigh’s black eye. Jeff was waiting outside for them when the taxi pulled up. Kaye Leigh had a little trouble getting out of the taxi, Jeff tried to help her.

“Keep your hands off me!” Kaye Leigh hissed at him.

“I’m just trying to help you Kaye Leigh.” He said.

“I don’t need anything from you ever!” she hissed trying to focus on his face.

“What happened to your eye?” Jeff asked her.

“It’s none of your business, what I do from now on is absolutely none of your business, make sure you remember that.” She said trying to keep from swaying. She started laughing as she was walking into the hotel.

“She had a fight with the bathroom door, the door won.” Becki said. Jeff shook his head and watched her trying to get through the revolving door.

“We better get her out of there before she gets sick.” He said. They helped her out of the doors.

“Hey Jeff since you’re alone tonight do you want Becki to sleep with you?” Kaye Leigh said loudly. Becki’s face turned red.

“Knock it off Kaye Leigh.” Jeff said angrily. Kaye Leigh laughed.

“You know Becki wouldn’t have you, besides you apparently really like the old disgusting type.” She said. Jeff started to say some thing but Becki touched his arm and said

“She’s drunk, hurt and angry remember that, she’s just lashing out.”

They got into the elevator and pushed the button for their floor. Kaye Leigh started singing to the music. Becki was trying not to laugh because it was so bad; Jeff just rolled his eyes and shook his head. Jeff had never seen her drunk; he had never known her to drink. He knew about her past with drinking but since they had been together, she had never touched alcohol.

When the elevator stopped, they got out and they steered Kaye Leigh toward her room.

“You know what?” Kaye Leigh said stopping so suddenly that the other two ran into her. “I’m just going to lay down here.” She got down on the floor and laid down.

“You can’t lay here in the hallway Kaye Leigh.” Becki said.

“I’ve paid.” She replied. Becki laughed. Jeff looked at her and she shrugged.

“Come on Kaye Leigh we’ll help you to your room.” Jeff said.

“I don’t need help or anything else, I’m fine.” She replied. “Besides I am sure you have someone waiting for you.” Jeff shut his eyes trying to keep from throttling her, when he opened them Kaye Leigh was asleep.

Jeff picked her up carefully and carried her to her room; Jon had called and told him the number. Becki opened the door and told him she would wait while he put her to bed.

Jeff shut the bedroom door with his foot, and then carefully laid her down on the bed. Brushing some hair out of her face, he looked down at her purple and swollen eye. He loves her more than life and he had no idea what was going on. He very carefully got her into her nightgown and tucked into bed. He kneeled beside the bed and prayed that they would survive this mess, that Kaye Leigh would know he would never hurt her like this, and that she would not have a hangover the next morning.

“So who is the girl Jeff?” Becki asked when he came out and sat down next to her.

“Becki I have no idea who she is, I meant what I said when I told you I had no clue as to who she is. I admit the man in the pictures is me, but how it got with her, I have no idea. Besides Becki look at that woman compared to Kaye Leigh even with her black eye why would I risk losing Kaye Leigh for that?” He said seriously.

Becki looked at him and could see in his eyes that he was telling the truth.

“I believe you wouldn’t hurt Kaye Leigh like this, but who would want to set you up and why? Is it to hurt you or Kaye Leigh?” She said.

“When we find out who the woman is that will lead us in the right direction.” Jeff said.

“I’ll stay her tonight in case she needs something.” Becki said. He nodded.

“Call me if she needs anything, any time.” He said. Becki gave him a hug and said