I tightened my hands around the steering wheel. “That wasn’t what I asked.”
Her head turned. For several seconds, she studied me. “You’ve always been strangely observant.”
“I’ve known your son for ten years. Somebody has to notice the things he misses.”
That earned a weak laugh. Then her eyes filled with something she quickly turned away to hide. My stomach tightened. “Karen.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re terrible at lying.” The rain continued its relentless assault on the windshield. We’d passed the brightly lit shops of Madison Avenue and were now heading into a quieter, more residential part of town. She finally met my gaze, and the sadness in her eyes felt… bottomless. It wasn’t just about a dead car battery.
“It’s just… a lot,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “A culmination of things.”
“Want to talk about it?” I offered, keeping my voice neutral. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know, frankly. But I couldn't just drop it. Not with Karen.
She shook her head. “Not yet. Could you… could you take me somewhere quiet? Just for a few minutes?”
“Somewhere quiet?” I repeated, glancing at the unfamiliar streets. “Like where?”
“There’s a park… Elmwood Park. It's usually empty this late. Just… somewhere I can collect myself.”
Elmwood Park was a good twenty minutes out of the way. But looking at her, I knew arguing would be pointless. “Alright. Elmwood Park it is.” I shifted gears, a knot forming in my chest. This wasn't a simple jump-start situation. This was something else entirely. Something heavy.
Chapter 1: A Request in the Rain
The park was exactly as she’d described: deserted. The rain had slowed to a drizzle, leaving the air smelling clean and earthy. I parked near the gazebo, killed the engine, and turned to her. She hadn’t said a word since requesting the detour.
“Here we are,” I said softly.
She unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle. “Thank you, Alex.”
She stepped out into the damp air, pulling her coat tighter around her. I watched her walk towards the gazebo, her shoulders slumped. I hesitated, then followed. She sat on one of the benches, staring out at the dark expanse of the park. I sat down beside her, leaving a comfortable space between us.
“So,” I began, trying to sound casual. “What’s going on?”
She sighed, a long, drawn-out sound that spoke volumes. “It’s… my husband. Robert.”
Robert Mercer was a successful lawyer, a pillar of the community. He and Karen always seemed… perfect. “What about him?”
“He’s… he’s leaving me.” She said it flatly, as if stating a fact. “He’s been seeing someone. For months.”
The news hit me like a punch to the gut. I’d always admired the Mercers, their seemingly solid marriage. “I… I’m so sorry, Karen.”
“He told me tonight. After dinner. Said he needed… ‘space to find himself.’” Her voice cracked on the last few words. “Space. After thirty years.”
“That’s… awful.” I fumbled for something to say, anything to ease her pain. “Daniel hasn’t mentioned anything.”
“Daniel doesn’t know. Robert made me promise not to tell him. Not yet.” She covered her face with her hands, and I saw her shoulders shaking. She was crying, silently, desperately. And I suddenly felt completely inadequate.
What happened just seconds later left everyone in the room completely speechless… (Continue to Part 2 →)
