Time to Be Patient

After getting home from dropping off Evelyn, Addison was excited to have one less crazy kid. Her son seemed extra tired from being up most the night, so, she had no problem putting him down early for his nap. It allowed some quiet time for herself. She tiptoed down the stairs, being careful not to set off the sleeping baby. She was exhausted. Between Dominic screaming and that horrible picture of her husband, she had no sleep. She laid down on the couch and switched on an awful made for TV movie when the front door rang. Addison didn’t remember any appointments or plans for today. She slowly walked to the front, trying to see through the windows of who it was.
Addison unlocked the large door and swung it open. Standing there was a middle aged woman dressed as if she stepped out of a catalog. At her side was a carry on bag and a large tote.
“Mom?” Addison was shocked.
“Darling,” her polish accent was thick, “let me in. Let me in.”
Addison stepped aside as her mother, Alina, passed her into the foyer. “What are you doing here?”
“Daddy is on a trip, and Michael said you could use the help.”
“He said what?” Addison felt her anger rising. She loved her mother, but the woman could be over controlling. Nothing Addison did was right. Everything was up for review, and it gave Addison so much anxiety. “When did you talk to Michael?”
“He called a few days ago,” she began to pick up the few toys that were out. “He thought it would be a pleasant surprise.”
“All right,” Addison was still stunned, “I’ll take your bags to the room and you make yourself at home.”
Addison grabbed the two bags and silently ascend the stairs. She was furious at Michael for calling her mother. It was a distraction technique, she would be so focused on her mother that Addison would not bother him. He knew that Alina only brought out the worse in her. During her mother’s last visit Addison had lost about 9 pounds. This didn’t mean she didn’t love her mother, it just was the woman had such high expectations for her daughter. Only the best, no matter the cost.
She found her mother sitting in the kitchen with a glass of water and reading the newspaper. Addison stood there for a moment appreciating how lovely her mother was. Her hair was a short bob, that seemed to make her cheekbones pop. She was always well dressed, even when going to the grocery store. When she was a little girl, Addison had always prayed that she would be just like her mother. As she got older her prayers began to change. Though still lovely at her age, she wanted a life completely different then her mother’s.
“Mom,” Addison walked to the kitchen island, “I was thinking I should call the sitter and we go out for dinner. How does that sound?”
“Would Michael be okay with that?”
“I’m sure he would agree,” Addison reached down to their wine fridge and grabbed a bottle. “Would you like some?”
“Small glass,” she pinched her fingers together.
Addison retrieved two glasses, pouring just two fingers for her mother and much more for herself. “So, hows Daddy?” taking a gulp of her wine.
“Fine, fine. He says he will be retiring next year,” her mother didn’t sound very happy about that.
“Isn’t that good?”
She sighed, “Yes, I’m sure it is. I just enjoy my alone time, and I’m involved in so much. Your father will just get in the way.”
“I would love more time with Michael.”
Her mother scoffed, “You say that now. Soon, you will be happy that he is so busy with work.”
Addison could see what her mother was talking about. If Michael didn’t work as much as he did, she would never be able to have a relationship with Brandon. He was the little happiness she had for herself. No way she was going to give that up. Especially after seeing that picture the night before.

Later that evening, Addison and her mother sat in a dimly lit restaurant waiting for her husband to arrive. She was totally spacing as her mother talked about some cousin she barely knew. She thought about the next time she’d be able to get away from the house. With her mother home it would be difficult to slip away and see Brandon. She hadn’t been able to text him yet today. She hoped he wasn’t thinking the worse of her, but, she was a little annoyed after his last text. How was she supposed to respond to it? What was Brandon hoping for?
A kiss on her cheek broke her thoughts. She looked forward to her mother, whose face was glowing. Michael slid into the seat next to her. “Hello, my beautiful women.”
Her mother chuckled, “Michael, how are you?”
“Oh, Alina,” he did his horrible flirting, “I am so much better now that you are in town.”
Addison watched her mother blush, “You are too kind.”
Thankfully the waiter came to deliver their drinks and take their meal orders. Alina filled in Michael on what they had done earlier that day. Addison just sat there trying to be attentive as possible. The two then began discussing how Addison was wrong when it came to caring for the two children. She soon began wishing her had ordered a stronger drink. She wanted to scream that she was the mother, but, she was not raised to talk back to her mother. Over Alina’s shoulder she saw three very familiar men walk into the restaurant. Brandon stood at the front with Andrew Shaw and Nick Leddy. She watched the three of them talk, then Brandon continue to flirt with the host. Her stomach dropped.
Michael voice boomed, “Andrew! Nick! Brandon!”
Fuck, Addison thoughts began to scream. Her mother stared at the men then back at her. Alina’s eyes squinted and her mouth pursed. She knew, Addison knew that her mother had figured out that something was going on with one of these guys walking over to their table now. All she wanted in that moment was to slip out of her seat and scurry to the bathroom. She knew that wasn’t an option so she did her best trophy wife smile and stood up to greet the guys.
“Hey guys,” Addison hugged each guy, trying to make sure that her hug with Brandon was brief. She could feel her mother’s judging eyes on her back. It was only matter time until her mother had her alone. Brandon looked good dressed in nice slacks and sweater, Addison couldn’t help but appreciate how hot he looked standing there. Her anger was slowly starting to fade.
Michael step to his mother-in-law’s side, “Alina, these are a few of the boys that play for the Blackhawks.”
Addison’s mother reached forward to the three men, her face expectant of a cordial greeting. Each one shook her hand and introduced themselves. It was like watching a car wreck, and Michael was so clueless to what was going on. Addison at one point swore that Andrew and Nick were even clued into what was happening. Her husband made small chat, as Addison appropriately smiled and sipped her drink. Her prayers were answered when the waitress interrupted and showed the guys away.
Michael chuckled as he sat down, “Those kids right there are really something. I know their careers are really going to go somewhere. I feel really honored to be working with them, and consider them my friends.”
“Well,” Alina clicked her tongue, “if you do not mind me saying, Michael. I think this was the best decision you made for your family.”
Addison felt Michael’s arm wrap around the back of her chair. There was a time that Addison craved this attention from her husband. Before he left Canada, Michael couldn’t keep his hands off his beautiful spouse. She felt her face blush at all the memories flooding back to her. Times of romance and lust that had seemed to disappear from their marriage. From the corner of her vision, she spotted Brandon staring right at her.
“I agree,” Addison smiled at her mother and gave her husband a kiss on the cheek.

The house was silent as Addison laid in bed the next morning. It was about 5 am, and she couldn’t seem to fall back to sleep. Michael’s heaving breathing seemed to be calming in the moment. She stared up at the ceiling, counting the breaths he took. She did her best to block out the dinner from hell. Alina face was painted with disappointment every time she made eye contact with her daughter. Addison reasoned with herself that she was reading too much into it. Who was Alina anyway to judge someone in a loveless marriage?
Her father had been a much better man then Michael was. He was very hands on with his children at a young age, where Michael took some convincing. Addison had found memories of her father expressing his love for her mother. Though Alina could be cold, she always warmed at the touch and words of her husband. Addison thought Michael was just like that, but, she had been wrong. Michael was so focused and oblivious to everything going on around him. He never stop and enjoyed their small family. Michael was nothing like the man she married.
She laid there for a few more minutes, and decided that it was a useless endeavor to sleep. She silently slipped out of bed and padded over to the closet. Slipping into some warm thermal running clothes, laced up her sneakers, and pulled her hair into a high pony table. Addison walked back into the bedroom to see Michael had sprawled into her side of the bed. She grabbed her phone off the night stand, and backed her way out of the room and down to the first floor. She stood at the bottom of the stairs, quietly listening for any signs of life in the house. Nothing. She brought up Brandon’s number and texted him a simple message.
>Run on the lake shore. Meet in our spot?
She knew it was probably too early for him to meet her, but, she didn’t know when next they would be able to get together.
In the kitchen she wrote a short note to whomever, and grabbed a chilled bottle of water and protein bar to go. The streets were almost empty, except for the occasional taxi driving home all the late night drinkers and partiers. She thought of her friends at home that were still living that life style, and ached for those days. The images of her children’s car seats in the rearview mirror broke her from her thoughts. She parked the car, and slipped on a turban to cover her ears. There were few runners out this morning, being a weekend and so early she was surprised how many. Her eyes scanned the parking lot hoping she was spot Brandon. There he was, standing against a tree stretching his legs. She slipped her phone into the glove back and hopped out of the car. Addison couldn’t help but feel butterflies in her stomach as she made her way over. His face was covered in a hat, that only allowed some of his silly smile to show. The butterflies began to really fly as she thought about he good he looked.
“Good morning,” his voice was horsed from being out the night before.
His large arms pulled her into a hug, allowing Addison to enjoy his smell for a few seconds. She pulled back to look up at him, “I didn’t think you would make it.”
“Me not make it?” He scoffed, “I wouldn’t miss a run Mrs. Morgan.”
Addison grimaced and hit him. He was being an ass, and she wasn’t going to allow it. She hadn’t done anything wrong giving him to reason to be so cruel. “So, that was your mother last night?”
Addison looked over to him from her stretching, “Yes. Michael called her since he thought I need help.”
“You?” Brandon laughed, “You’re like super mom. That was a dick move on his part.”
She stood straight, and began to jump up and down. He knew she would neither agree nor disagree.
“I know where you get you’re good looks from now,” the rasp in his voice started evening out, “she look amazing for her age.
Addison raised her eye brows and chuckled, “Are we going to run or not?”
She began to start off on the path with Brandon close at their heels. She wasn’t sure why they always ran together. It wasn’t like they talked. He respected Addison’s space, where others decided this was the perfect gossip time. Running allowed Addison to clear her mind, and having him there just made it safe. They ran north, until they couldn’t anymore and turned back towards where they started. Brandon began to pick up pace and moved in from of Addison but never too far away at anytime. Her anger from the text began to melt away. Both the anger towards her husband and her lover. The anger toward her over bearing mother melted away. Stress with the kids, marriage, affair, relocation, and confusion melted away also. In that moment she just focused on the steps of Brandon in front of her. Being careful to fallow him as best she could.
By the time the two made it back to the cars they were out of breathe, and could barely stand. Brandon’s fingers laced with hers as he pulled her towards his SUV. They slipped into the back seat, which was nothing new for them. Addison curled into Brandon as he held close, both still trying to catch their breath.
“You know this is killing me,” her voice was scratchier then she expected.
“Me too,” his words were hushed and airy.
Her body felt heavy against his, feeling his strong physic hold and comforter her. All Addison wanted in the moment was to forget everything in the outside world, and just enjoy the few moments she had him to herself before heading back into her life. She mentally kicked herself, until, she felt two fingers under her chin pull her head up. His soft lips pressed hers causing her to melt into him even more. The kiss began to intensify as they went. His hands roaming up and down almost felt too natural to be wrong. Her lungs began to ache, as she pushed him back. Brandon’s eyes were filled with lust as he leaned back against the seat. They were silent, except for the their heaving breathing.
“I know you’re upset with me,” his voice was airy.
“I’m not upset at you,” she leaned her head against his shoulder, “I’m just not sure what you were expecting from me.”
He chuckled, “I’m not sure either. Sometimes I get so guilty of what I’m going to your family. This isn’t how was I raised...”
“You aren’t doing anything,” she interrupted.
“But, when I see your husband out, dancing with these young girls,” he place his chin on top of her head. “You don’t deserve that. You deserve someone that is attentive and there for you.”
She sighed and began to dig her keys out of her pocket, “We both deserve a lot more.”
Addison give him one last kiss and then ran to her own car. She looked at the clock on the radio to see that it was still early. She imagined her family still sleeping in their beds. Blissfully unaware of what just happened. Her eyes trailed over to his car still sitting in it’s spot. She longed to run back to his car, and beg him to run away with her. A laughed escaped her lips as she realized how stupid that was. She started the car and made her way home.