Finally, he broke from her gaze and, movingmore quickly now, undid the button on her jeans and slid them down.He grasped her forearms and held her as she stepped out of them.She was shaking uncontrollably.
"Elizabeth, I'm gonna put you in the shower towarm up." He maintained eye contact, never looking down as shestood before him in only her bra and underwear. Going againsteverything her mother had ever said, she wasn't afraid. She wascold and numb and empty. Her soul was broken. She didn't care if heraped her. She didn't think he would. His voice was too kind, andhe was somebody who used to know her. If only she could placewho.
CHAPTER FIVE: May 14, 2012
Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably in the hardblond wooden library chair. Her rear end had long since gone numb.The PTA meeting seemed to be dragging on forever. They werediscussing the final details of the Summer-Kick-Off Carnival. Itwas the last big PTA event for the year, and it was just underthree weeks away. She tried to focus and pay attention. She neededto see how this was handled. After all, she would be running thecarnival next year. She was assisting Julia Prouty this year, andwould, if all things went well, take over the reins next year. Hercommitment to the PTA over the past two school years had beennoticed and appreciated. Nancy Beemer often had a smile forElizabeth now, and the two had even met for coffee once. Usually,conversations occurred when they were planning something, butElizabeth took it as a positive sign that she had finally beenaccepted.
Just as she thought they should be finishing,Nancy spoke up. "I'm very excited to announce that we havescheduled our author visit for next week."
A member raised her hand and called out, "Whois it?"
Nancy continued, looking irritated at havingbeen interrupted. "As some of you may know" she gave a knowingglance to her inner circle, "John's father is a writer. He writesunder the name of J. P. Devaney."
Nancy paused dramatically, as a murmur wentthrough the crowded library. Elizabeth did not think that it waspossible for Nancy's stock to rise much higher, but apparently, itjust had. She was in her second two-year term as PTA president. Hercurrent husband, Archibald Beemer, was CEO of the local grocerychain. And now, her ex was apparently a famous writer. No wonderthe PTA at Cherry Road was so successful with Nancy at the helm.Even Elizabeth had heard of J. P. Devaney, although his writing wasfor children older than Teddy and Sydney. He had written a seriesof books for older elementary children that were often described asa cross between Greek mythology and Dr. Who for the tweenset.
Elizabeth thought that he was perhaps an oddchoice, as his books were generally for children in the uppergrades only. Elizabeth speculated that the author visit would notbring in as much revenue as an author who catered to the youngerelementary students, but she knew better than to speak out againstNancy. No one who did survived—socially that is. Elizabeth wasfinally in Nancy's good graces. She wanted to staythere.
The meeting was finally adjourned and Elizabethstood up stiffly. She was packing up her files when Nancyapproached her and Julia. "Ladies, I wanted to speak to youprivately."
Elizabeth was nervous. She could not imaginewhat Nancy would want. She was pretty sure she was up to date oneverything she should have done for the carnival at this point. Infact, Elizabeth thought that she and Julia worked seamlesslytogether and were really on the ball. Elizabeth glanced at Julia,who looked just as nervous. Nancy smoothed her perfectly sculptedhair, although not a highlighted strand dared stray out of placeand continued. "I want to keep this private, but there is anotherreason for the author visit. John's father has another book comingout. An adult one. Archibald and I are having a book release forhim at 'The Faded Page'. It will be the same night as the authorvisit. It is a private party, but we would like to includeyou."
'The Faded Page' was a very upscale independentbook store. Elizabeth only very rarely went in there. The pricestended to be higher, and the staff was rather snooty. Still, therewas something inviting about the worn wooden floors, theoverstuffed leather couches and the fireplace. It was notnecessarily the type of place she would take Teddy and Sydney, butshe could picture herself curled up, reading by the fire on a rainyday. Perhaps in another life.
"Oh, great, um, thank you" Elizabeth managed tostammer out. This was it. She was being accepted. "What time? Andhow does one dress for a book party?"
Nancy waved her French manicured nails. "I'llbe e-mailing you the details. Do you think I can count on yoursupport?"
Elizabeth could not fathom why Nancy shouldneed support from Elizabeth and Julia. Just as if they were back inhigh school, Nancy was the reigning queen of the scene. Even in thecommunity, with her husband's ties, she was well-known. Her picturegraced the Social Scene pages on the newspaper website frequently.Still, Nancy seemed uncharacteristically nervous aboutthis.
"I have to check schedules, of course, but I'lldo everything I can to make it" Elizabeth assured her. Julia spokesimilarly. Nancy's composure reset, and she granted them a politesmile and said good night to them.
Julia leaned in and whispered "Do you think youcan go?"
Elizabeth shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'll have tosee if Peter can take the kids that night. Thursdays are usually mynights with the kids, but he may be flexible."
"How are things going with you two?"
"They seem to be better. Since we've dividedthe schedule, we're much less tense and resentful towards eachother. I really can't believe how well this works for us. We'reeven going out on a date night this weekend."
Julia smiled sympathetically. "It's been such along journey for the two of you."
Elizabeth shook her head slowly. "Tell me aboutit. Thinking back, to all those long nights in
