The Affair Ch. 08
In the meantime, Greg was spending more and more time with Quinton, and she was relieved. He'd been so pushy about starting a family she was happy he was finding time elsewhere.
The late summer air was unusually chilly, and around this time, Savannah's mother would typically begin planting her fall flowers. She missed her mother, and it was time for a visit. On her way over to her mother's house, she remembered all the times they'd do puzzles and go to the library. Her mother always told Savannah that she was an old soul, and she believed her. She felt as if she'd lived two lives.
As Savannah pulled into her mother's driveway, she saw a familiar face across the street in her rare view mirror. A tall, slender man with kinky hair checked his mail, and she recognized him as her mother's gentleman friend.
"Hi, Mr. Maurice," she greeted as she locked her car. "How are you doing?"
Mr. Maurice smiled as he fingered through the small pile of mail. "I'm doing well, can't complain. How are you?"
Savannah crossed the street. "Oh, I'm doing well. I just wanted to thank you for keeping my mother company. I can tell she gets lonely being here alone, and I appreciate it."
Maurice furrowed his brow. "Keeping your mother company?"
"Y-you and my mother cook together," Savannah explained. "She told me that you cook and garden together."
"I brought her over some food because she seemed hungry, but that's it," Maurice said as he tucked the mail under his arm. "Did she say something else happened?"
Savannah took a step back, stunned at this revelation. She hoped that she was mistaken. Why would her mother make that up?
"Oh, I'm sorry," she apologized quickly. "My mistake. Take care."
Maurice watched her as she crossed the street. "You too. Tell your mother I said hi."
Savannah stood in her mother's driveway for a moment, completely dumbfounded by the situation. Her mother hadn't been the same in years; she barely ate and had memory issues, and Savannah assumed that was just aging, but now she was terrified.
When Savannah entered her mother's home, she found her mother flipping through the televisions as if she were in a daze. Something about it seemed off, and when she checked her mother's fridge, there was just seltzer water and unopened groceries Savannah had purchased for her. Savannah knew deep at the pit of her stomach that something was terribly wrong with her mother.
***
"Thank you for seeing us again, Dr. Rosen," Savannah said as she sat in her mother's doctor's office. "Have you found anything concrete in your tests about my mother?"
Dr. Rosen, an older gentleman, sat behind his desk and scanned over his documents. "Your mother's hallucinations and memory loss are signs of early-onset dementia and schizophrenia."
Savannah felt as if her heart fell into her stomach. Deep down, she didn't want to face the truth that something was wrong. "B-but she gardens, and she does some stuff around the house...I didn't see this coming."
"We have seen some patients who can keep a routine around the house, but with your mother's hallucinations, I worry that she may wander off as her illness enters its later stages."
"W-what are the later stages?"
Dr. Rosen removed his glasses. "This disease can be terminal, ma'am."
Savannah couldn't keep it together as tears rolled down her face. She never expected to lose her mother, and she couldn't fathom her life without her.
"Ma'am, I know this is a lot to take in," he said quietly. "But you don't have to handle this all on your own."
"It's just me," savannah cried. "I'm all she's ever had."
"We have an excellent assisted living community for dementia patients," Dr. Rosen said. "I know that you mentioned that your mother isn't very social, and in my experience, this is beneficial for patients with your mother's condition. Arden Living facility takes care of their patients and makes sure that they're comfortable as they enter this new chapter in their lives."
"Those places are expensive," she said. "But I'm not sure if I can give her the best attention."
"Insurance typically covers half of the expense," he said. "It takes the burden off families and it's a lot for one person to handle."
"I'll think about it," she said, putting the pamphlet in her purse. "I knew something was off about her for a while, but I thought it was just that she was home alone without anyone. She's always been very independent."
Given her mother's age, Eugenia's doctor suggested a nurse take care of her while she adjusted to the medication. She didn't want this for her mom, she wanted to care for her doctor who knew it would be too much to handle.
She didn't want to tell Greg about any of this, she didn't even want to admit it to herself, but she knew she was doing right by her mother.
Dr. Rosen started Eugenia's medication to treat, and he assured Savannah that it would take weeks to see a change in her health. That allowed Savannah to breathe for the first time in years, knowing that her mother was getting the treatment that she needed, it was a weight lifted off her shoulders.
Savannah fought with herself for days about her mother's diagnosis. She didn't want to move her mother into a home, but she knew that her condition would worsen. Having an older parent wasn't easy, but she never knew that her mother has such a diagnosis in her seventies. Although distant, both Savannah and Greg cleaned out her mother's home and began the process of moving Eugenia into Arden Living. Greg and Eugenia were never close, and Eugenia warned Savannah about marrying him, but she assumed that her mother was just protecting her. She didn't know years later they'd be cleaning out her home.
***
Savannah pulled herself out of isolation to meet with Emilio for ice cream, as they did weekly. The two settled on a park bench just outside out of town after a long week of stress, crying, and mourning the loss of someone who wasn't fully there.
"Are you okay?" he said as he mixed in the sprinkles in his ice cream cup.
Savannah swallowed the lump that rested in her throat. "My mom, she's been having health issues, and I, uh, I might have to enter her into an assisted living facility," she said quietly, her eyes drifting off to the mother and infant daughter sharing a cone across the grass.
"What?" Emilio set his cup down in the grass. "When did this happen?"
"Last week," she said. "I haven't really told anyone, and I--I should've checked up on her more. I should've listened to the signs."
"You visited her once a week, you kept her company, and you did the best you could,'' Emilio reassured. "You don't have to beat yourself about it."
Savannah wiped her tears on a napkin. "I know, I know. I just can't believe this is happening. I feel like a failure."
"I don't want you thinking like that. How about we take your mind off it for a little while?" he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her in. "I have a cabin up in Harper's View Lake."
"I have to think about it."
"The offer still stands," he said. "I'm here for you, Savannah. I don't want you to think that you're alone in this."
"I just need to make sure she's settled," Savannah said as her spoon dug to the bottom of the cup, swirling around the cold dessert. "But I'd like that."
Emilio leaned in and kissed her forehead. His heart went out to her. He was estranged from his own parents after he left home, but he knew what is it was like to feel powerless when it came to loved ones. The feeling of being vulnerable in situations you can't control makes you feel defeated as if the world is crashing down around you. Emilio never wanted Savannah to feel that way again.
***
Greg's parents paid Savannah and Greg a surprise visit that same evening. Savannah had almost forgotten that Greg had mentioned their plans just a few days before, so Savannah prepared a fruit tray and wine for everyone.
Savannah never quite felt close to Greg's mother, but his father was a different story. His father always had a funny story to tell, and Greg was the spitting image of him. Nancy was a youthful-looking woman with deep brown skin and her hair was always styled in a short pixie cut that she adorned in various headbands. She and Savannah were close for a long time, but things changed over the years. Nancy was raised believing that women were made to have as many babies as possible, and she was often confused as to why Savannah struggled with her son.
"Did you pick these apples yourself?" Greg's father asked as he dipped the apple in custard. "These are delicious."
Savannah smoothed the napkin that sat on her lap. "Thank you, Thomas. I got them from a little farm stand out in the country. How've you been?"
"Can't complain," Thomas smiled at his daughter-in-law. "But I heard about your mother, I'm terribly sorry. My father passed from dementia."
Savannah moved around the fruit on her small plate as guilt swept over her like a fog. "I appreciate your support. She's still here, and I'm hoping that she'll be back to herself soon."
Greg reached over and gave Savannah a supportive rub on her knee.
Nancy pursed her lips at Savannah and smiled. "Nothing brightens up the mood like a family gettogether. Why don't you two ever invite us over more often?"
Savannah wanted to say it's because she's been super overbearing for the last year in a half but she didn't want to open that can of worms, so she simply said, "We've been busy and there's just a lot going on."
Thomas took a sip of his wine and peered over to Greg. "Are you keeping my daughter-in-law happy?"
"Of course," Greg laughed nervously. "Savannah has some upcoming work overseas and she's a little preoccupied with getting everything ready for that."
"Is that true?" Thomas raised an eyebrow.
Savannah tried her hardest to muster up a fake smile, "Yes, it's true. My company is sending me to Toronto next February."
"Well, that deserves a toast!" Thomas raised his glass of red wine.
Nancy reluctantly raised her glass while Savannah and Greg did the same. "To the future," Greg said.
Greg's parents left almost immediately at sundown, and Savannah was more than relieved. Savannah wasn't sure how much stress she could handle. Savannah stood in the en suite bathroom mirror as she braided her hair, prepping for the following day.
She thought back to Emilio and the cabin he'd mentioned, and she definitely needed a weekend to destress and relax. It lingered on her mind that Greg was so quick to come to her defense that evening despite the fact that she'd barely seen him in the last couple of weeks aside from him helping her with her mother's home. She often wondered why he'd leave so often.
"What are you to this weekend?" Savannah said as she applied oil to her hair. "I-uh, I have a photoshoot out in Hunterberg, it's kinda last minute, but I figured I'd take the weekend to myself."
Greg kept his eyes glued to his phone as he sat back in bed. "I think me and Quinton are gonna have a boys' weekend."
"That sounds fun." Savannah braided a large section of her hair downward. "You two are so close."
"Mhm," Quinton said, eyes never leaving his phone.
Savannah pulled her chunky braids into a low bun and tucked them under her scarf. She went to bed that evening, looking forward to the relaxing weekend ahead.
The drive to Harper's View Lake took a little over an hour between local traffic and overall distance. Savannah was hesitant at first when she saw the modernized log cabin. but she knew she was at the right place when she saw Emilio's car parked under a tree. The cabin was larger than she'd imagined, perched on stone and complete with a deck, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a wraparound porch.
She took her keys out of the ignition and stepped out of the car. She was surprised to see Emilio standing on the porch above her.
"Glad you made it," he called as he walked down the steps that led to the driveway.
Savannah opened the backseat of her small SUV and grabbed her duffle bag. "I'm glad you invited me."
Savannah was surprised at the gorgeous view as the two ascended the steps of the cabin. The early afternoon sun bounced off the lake as the water sparkled.
"This place is beautiful," she whispered. "When did you buy this?"
"My grandfather gave it to me when I married Luna," he said as he opened the front door. "She thought it was too old, so I renovated it and kept it myself."
"Wow," she said, taking in the craftsmanship.
The ceilings were hand-carved with various designs and patterns, while glass chandeliers hung from the top. The main room had a sectional sofa and flatscreen television.
"It smells good in here," she said as the two entered the kitchen.
The kitchen was beautiful; marble countertops and stainless steel appliances. Emilio
"I threw something together for us to kickstart out the weekend."
Emilio plated some frybread tacos with beans, lettuce, and cheese on top. On the dining room, cedar table sat a chocolate cake with fresh strawberries on top in the shape of a heart. It was a thoughtful gesture, something that Savannah wasn't always used to.
"When did you have time to do all this?" she asked.
"I got here a couple of hours ago," he explained. "I just wanted to make things special for us."
Savannah's heart felt full. All of the stress she'd been feeling had melted away, and it was the first time in a while that she felt like she was being pampered. She walked over to him as he took off the oven mitts and stared into his grey eyes before kissing him.
"You're too sweet, Em." she whispered against his lips. "It's been a stressful week and I appreciate this a lot."
Emilio's hands found their way to her waist. "How about get comfortable, eat dinner, and talk about a few things? I know you've had a long drive and I wanna make sure you feel good."
Savannah's full lips curled into a smile. "Something tells me you have something planned."
He licked his lips and pushed back a lock of her hair. "Go get comfortable, I'll keep the food warm, okay? The bedroom's upstairs to your right."
She parted her body away from his and slowly walked upstairs while Emilio followed her with his eyes. The bedroom was spacious, a plush California king bed sat in the middle, with a backdrop of the trees outside. It looked beyond peaceful, and something about this cabin exuded a feeling of safety and warmth at a time when she needed it most. She instantly regretted not taking her camera, but she knew this weekend was about relaxation.
Savannah kicked off her sneakers, opting for her favorite purple fuzzy socks instead. She pulled her fresh braid-out into a high bun and removed what little makeup she still had on, and slipped into an oversized t-shirt from a giveaway she'd won. When she came downstairs again, Emilio was pouring some ginger ale in two glasses.
"You look adorable," Emilio smiled.
"You told me to get comfortable,"
The two ate dinner but as the night wore on, Savannah knew something was on Emilio's mind.
"Everything okay?" Savannah said as she wiped her mouth.
Emilio cleared his throat and focused his eyes on her. "I brought you here this weekend because I wanted to prove to you that I'm serious about us and I want more from this. I want to keep you in my life."
"I want that too, but It's only been a couple of months," she hesitated. "I really don't want to rush into anything again and something happens."
"We both have spouses, and we're not happy. Would being together be the worst thing in the world?
"How do you know that?" Savannah said in a low tone. "What makes you think we'll come out of this unscathed and happy? What if you get sick of me and throw this away when the fun wears off?
Emilio furrowed his brow. "We were together for two years, and I've spent the last decade wondering what my life would be like with you. I wanted to marry you, Savannah. I wanted a life with you; I still do."
"I-I'm not sure if I believe you," she said. "I'm not perfect, and we're not perfect with what we're doing to our spouses and your family. I don't wanna end things with Greg, and you go off somewhere with Luna. I don't think I could handle that again."
"Savannah," he said firmly. "Go into my backpack and grab the manilla folder."
She looked over at him, puzzled. "Why?"
"Just do it, please."
She got up from her seat and walked over to the large recliner and ruffled through his bag until she found the folder. When she opened it, she was stunned at what she found
"Divorce papers." Savannah whispered.
"She just has to sign them," he said. "Then it's just you and me."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive," he said. "Do that when you're ready. But I want you to know that I'm here and I've made my decision to end my marriage."
Savannah stared blankly at the papers, not quite believing what she was seeing. "B-But your vow renewal is coming up soon and--"
"I'm canceling it when we leave this weekend, I just wanted to make sure you're on board."
"Of course I am," she said. "I've wanted this for a long time. I just need to tell Greg. What about your kids?"
Emilio too. "Xiomara is legally an adult, and Valeria is still a child. I want partial custody, and she can't take my kids away from me, not this time. I already made sure Val has enough money for college saved up, it's not like I can't support her. I love my kids, and I'm not going to hold them against her as she did to me."
Thoughts raced in Savannah's head as she processed all of this. She couldn't believe it.
"Divorce takes a while and it could get messy," Savannah said. "Are you sure you're ready for that?"
Emilio slowly nodded his head. "Of course I am. I'm ready to be with you, and I'm done hiding it. I love my daughters and I want to make sure you know that as well."
"I'm sure I'll love Valeria," she said truthfully. "I love kids, but it'll be an adjustment for me. I can't promise you perfection."
His lips curled into a smile. "I understand that completely, and I know it's a lot to take on, I don't expect perfection. Being with you is enough for me."
The ball was in her court, and if there was one thing that Savannah knew, was that life could change in a moment. She knew that a divorce wasn't the end all be all, and there were plenty of times when she regretted getting married at all.
***
Between dinner and dessert, the pair settled on the front porch overlooking the lake. Emilio planted hot kisses on Savannah's neck as his hands met the elastic band of her sweatpants. Savannah's eyes fluttered as the sun went down, her hands bracing against the wooden balcony.
"Someone's missed me," she whispered as Emilio's hands roamed to her backside.
Emilio pushed the strap of her shirt aside. "I want you right now. Right here."
She closed her eyes and sighed as his lips trailed from her neck to her exposed shoulders. She couldn't think of anything else but how much she needed him. "Take me."
The moon cast a light over Emilio's face as his thoughts grew darker. Savannah leaned over as Emilio's lips met hers in a passionate kiss. Their tongues twisted together while Emilio pushed her sweatpants over her hips and onto the porch floor.
Savannah stepped out of her sweatpants and panties while Emilio rubbed his throbbing cock against her. She turned around to face him, searching for his eyes in the darkness as she stood there almost completely nude.r"
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