Second Chances

Second Chances

By Abby Rodgers

Text copyright © 2017 Abby Rodgers

All Rights Reserved

To my husband for his love and support

A special thank you to photographer James E. K. who provided the photo and to Kiersten who designed this cover.

PREFACE

Second Chances follows Darlene Wiseman as she leaves a marriage of 30 years and begins a journey that leads her to the discovery that life is filled with many second chances. Marriage to her high school sweetheart has ended with betrayal that has left Darlene with three angry children, no interest in men, and a sense of hopelessness. She also has the fear that happiness is something she will never experience.

Then Brandon Michaels enters her life. As their friendship grows, Darlene begins to let down the barriers she has erected over the years and reluctantly admits that this loving, giving, and unselfish man has become a significant part of her life.

Just as she allows herself to hope for the possibility of forever happiness with the man of her dreams, someone emerges from Brandon’s past who could shatter their lives forever.

Chapter One

That anticipated day had finally arrived. All of her friends had warned her about it for months. It will be harder than you can ever imagine. An enormous sense of loss will paralyze you, and you will flounder around for days, maybe months. With those words haunting her, Darlene prayed a quick prayer and climbed out of bed. In just three short hours she would no longer be Mrs. Craig Wiseman. She was due in court at 9:30 where the judge would pronounce her marriage of thirty years terminated.

Darlene had married her high school sweetheart when they were both twenty. The union had produced three wonderful children, two boys and a girl. Her life with Craig had begun as all marriages--full of love, hope, and promise. In the beginning, their relationship had grown, their lives prospered, and their daily living filled with many memorable events. After the birth of their first son, things began to change.

In an attempt to provide for his family and to get ahead, Craig had taken a second job. Teaching in the local high school was not the most advantageous when it came to finances. The teaching assignment in the community college at night helped to stretch the monies just a little farther. Soon his focus had turned from a one class semester to multiple classes and endless semesters.

With Craig working three to four nights a week, Darlene spent most of her evenings taking care of the children. After they were down for the night, she would retire herself and read until Craig got home. All attempts to persuade him that time away from his family was hurting their marriage and that he needed to reevaluate his priorities produced nothing but anger, resentment, and a wide wedge in their relationship. As the strain on the relationship becoming more and more intense with each confrontation, they seemed to move into their own separate worlds. Eventually all they seemed to have in common were the children.

Before Darlene knew it, the children had grown into adults and had started their own lives. Craig had, admittedly, spent his evenings over the years doing more than just teaching, and Darlene had moved out. That had been four years ago. She had hoped, prayed, and repeatedly asked Craig during the last fifteen years of their lives together to work at saving their marriage. Since their separation, she had exhausted herself trying to put it back together. She had even forgiven him his infidelity, but he showed no interest in reconciliation.

Her friends, especially Barbara, had stood by her as she healed emotionally and personally. Barbara had listened as she revealed her most private feelings. For too many years Darlene had felt isolated, unattractive, unloved, and a complete failure where relationships were concerned. However, over the past four years the love and support of those close friends had taught her several things. She was blessed with creative talent, a winning personality, and a perky attractiveness that made her a welcomed amenity at any gathering. Two people must work on the relationship if it is going to survive and flourish. Craig never tried!

I can do this Darlene told herself as she stepped into the shower. At age 50, a slender 130 pounds, she had often been mistaken for a woman much younger than her years. "Today is just a formality. My marriage ended a long time ago. I have grieved its death, and am now ready to begin a new phase of my life . . . whatever that is. Help me Father to know your leading and be obedient to it." She stood for a long time as the warm water flattened her gray-streaked auburn hair and gently ran down her body. The water swirled down the drain, and she symbolically allowed her past life to follow in its path.

Darlene turned off the water, wrapped herself in a towel, and walked to the closet in her modest apartment. What does one wear to the event that will begin a new life? She chose black silk slacks, and a silk, sapphire blue blouse then accented them with a multicolored scarf. After applying a hint of foundation and a touch of eye shadow over her ocean blue eyes, she headed to the kitchen for a bite of breakfast.

As she buttered toast and waited for the coffee to perk, her thoughts returned to Craig and their marriage. She thought how she had repeatedly reached out to Craig and how he refused to acknowledge her efforts. Each attempt to seriously discuss the problems in their marriage had resulted in Craig dismissing her with excuses to be somewhere then abruptly leaving. Darlene remembered how, with each dismissal, her hope of reconciliation had died. With the death of hope, she had filed for divorce.

Divorce had been a hard decision. Although the Bible teaches that divorce is justified when there has been unfaithfulness, Darlene evaded it for over four years. Much prayer, counseling, and support from her friends had helped her heal and visualize a new life without Craig.

Darlene finished breakfast, cleared the table then slipped into her cardigan. She closed her eyes, whispered a prayer then picked up her purse. After locking the door, she headed downtown.

At 10:30 the now single Darlene left the court room, exited the judicial building, and stepped out into the bright, warm sunshine to face the first day of her new life. Remembering the warnings of her friends, she waited for all the emotional waves to cover her, knock her off her feet, and render her helpless. But, there was just calm, peace, and resolution. She took in a deep breath of fresh air and raised her eyes toward the blue sky. "Thank you Lord for being with me this morning and for the calm, peacefulness your presence has brought to me. You know how hard it has been for me to let go of the past, to forgive Craig, and to see the possibility of life without him. Help me to move in the direction you would be pleased with."

As she looked up, the warmth of the sunshine caressed her face, and she stood for a moment to indulge in its soothing effects. A nice, relaxing walk in the park is what I need. Maybe a talk with the pigeons and squirrels will get me off in the right direction. I certainly welcome all the input I can get. She always seemed to draw strength from being close to nature. Leaving her car on Main Street, she began the two block walk to Baker Park.

The walk took her past stores that had stood for as long as she could remember. The quiet familiarity of the streets seemed to bring a soothing serenity to her soul. She had grown up in this small rural town and loved it. Many of her high school friends had gone away to college and never returned, while some had moved away to larger cities, apparently discontent with the lack of things to do in this small town. But, Darlene had finished high school, taken a job as a receptionist in one of the local manufacturing companies, and worked toward the goal to save as much money as she could.

All through high school, nothing really stirred her to the point of deciding on a path of study. Her parents had never encouraged college and were not financially able to send her. But, after about a year as a receptionist, the personnel director offered her the opportunity to do payroll and bookkeeping. Darlene moved into that position and learned that she greatly enjoyed working with numbers. So, after seven years of night classes, she had become a CPA.

Darlene now stood outside the accounting firm where she had worked since earning her degree. Across the street the park beckoned her. She stepped from the curb, crossed the street, and passed through the inviting gate at the park’s entrance. After leisurely walking the scenic mile track that wound through the park, she found a bench under a sturdy oak and sat down.

As she settled in, she noticed several small children playing in a sand box, smiling moms talking on the bench beside them. A petite girl and a chubby, little boy enjoyed time on the swings as their mothers pushed them ever so cautiously. Their faces lit up each time the swing carried them up, and little bursts of laughter escaped them as they returned to touch the palms of their mothers. The two young mothers talked with each other and laughed as they savored the joy in this simple activity.

As she watched them, Darlene thought about her own similar experiences when her children were growing. She thought how quickly time escapes us and our children are gone, living their own lives. In her mind’s eye, she saw Shane, Sherilynn, and Sterling, not unlike these children, playing, competing, arguing, and laughing. Now they were married, raising children of their own and actively involved in their careers. She didn’t get to see them as much as she would like, but maybe this new phase in life could bring about a change in that too.

Her eyes began to survey her surroundings. The park was equipped for all kinds of activity. Scattered around the grassy lawn were areas for individuals, couples, and groups to gather for picnics. More people out on a weekday than I expected, she thought. There was a family picnic spread under one tree, several dogs and masters playing ball, two couples were talking intimately in areas off to themselves, and a group of three seniors telling tales of times long passed.

Darlene couldn’t help but notice an extremely well built, sharply dressed man two benches to her right. His beautiful silver hair seemed to glisten in the sunlight. She was unable to determine facial features or age due to the magazine that hid his face. It seemed to shield him from the world around him. Then, as if by willing it, he lowered the magazine and looked in her direction. She suddenly felt a wave of embarrassment as their eyes met. He gave her a sheepish smile, nodded his head, and lifted his magazine, but not before she saw how incredibly handsome he was. Darlene could feel her face flush and redden as she turned quickly away. Her focus turned to the squirrels scurrying around the base of the oak.

"What do you think bushy tails? Do I continue this path