An '80s Tale: No Way Back (To Love)

Dominic and Katherine took their places at the dining table, one on each side of Jenny. From a distance, they could have passed for a perfect little family of three.

Jenny, obedient as ever, brought a spoonful of minestrone to her lips. A heartbeat later, she spat it out and upended the bowl onto the table.

"Watch out!"

Dominic reacted first, throwing an arm across Katherine and Jenny. I sat opposite them, and the splash landed on the back of my hand, scorching it an angry red.

"It's too spicy!" Jenny cried, gasping for breath, tears streaking her cheeks as she insisted the minestrone burned.

Katherine pulled her close, checking her tongue before turning to me with a wounded look. "Valerie, do you resent that Jenny and I moved back in? If you have a problem, just say it. But please don't take it out on Jenny."

Dominic's expression darkened. His voice carried nothing but blame. "Valerie! Jenny can't handle spice. Why would you put in red pepper flakes?"

I met his scolding with a cold, level stare. How foolish of me, still holding out hope for him.

I had no way of knowing what Katherine and Jenny couldn't eat. He, however, was the one who had always loved his minestrone with a shake of red pepper flakes.

In the end, Jenny was the daughter of the woman he loved. His favoritism knew no bounds.

The burn on the back of my hand throbbed, and I hissed in pain.

Only then did Dominic notice. His tone softened slightly. "Val, I'll take Jenny to the hospital to get her checked. We'll talk when I get back."

That night, he took Katherine and Jenny out to a restaurant. Later, after they returned and he had tucked Jenny into bed, he suddenly remembered me.

He dabbed ointment over the blistered skin, eyes a little rueful. "I didn't mean to yell at you today, Val. I'm sorry. But Kat is my sister. Now that she's moved back in, try to look after them a bit more, as her sister-in-law."

Look after his dear "sister"? Unbelievable.

I didn't have the heart to call him out, so I only nodded. "Got it."

Only then did Dominic's expression soften into a small smile. He drew me into his arms, his breath warm against the back of my ear.

Testing the waters, I asked, "Dominic, what if we had a baby?"

It was the first time I'd ever said it out loud.

He sighed. After a long moment, his voice finally cut through the quiet. "Val, can we wait? The company's growing right now. I don't have extra time to take care of you."

I let out a thin, bitter laugh. It wasn't that he lacked time. He just didn't want a child with me.

After a few hollow exchanges, I fell silent.

…

The next day was supposed to be a day off, but Dominic slipped out early.

By the time I woke, Pauline said he'd already taken Katherine and Jenny to tour the clothing factory. I told her I was going to a friend's. Instead, I went to the OB-GYN for a pre-op exam.

When the doctor asked about the baby's father, I said, "He's busy with work. He doesn't have time to be with me."

Dominic had said he didn't want a child, so it was better not to have one.

Half an hour later, the procedure was over.

My face was drained of color. When the pain dulled to something manageable, I steadied myself against the wall and walked out of the hospital.

I arrived home to find that Dominic and Katherine were still gone.

I boxed up everything he'd ever given me, along with the children's clothes Noreen sent now and then. Then I signed the divorce papers and left them in plain sight on the boxes.

I lay down for a bit after the packing, still feeling weak.