A Second Chance Read Online Free

came back, as in back to you?”
    “He said he wants a second chance.” Christine sipped her coffee as the bell rang and chaos took over.
    When things settled down, she didn’t get a chance to catch her breath before Kelly started questioning her. “You kicked him out, I hope.”
    “Not really. I mean, I was so mad, I left him sitting in the kitchen and went to bed. When I got up this morning, he was still there, begging for another chance.” Christine refilled her coffee and sat at her desk. “I’m so confused, Kel. I like Steven, but I had thirty-five years with Tony. Maybe I do owe him another chance.”
    Kelly stood up, walked toward her with hands on her hips. She stopped in front of her. “You owe him! You’ve got to be kidding. Come on, girl, get real. What makes you think you owe that jerk anything?”
    “I was married to him, remember? I had two kids with him. I don’t know. I felt something.” Tears welled up in her eyes, and she brushed them away.
    “Look, hon.” Kelly’s eyes showed her concern. “Just because you were married to him, and he fathered your children, doesn’t make him less of a jerk.” She grabbed a tissue and handed it to Christine. “I’m sorry. You do what you have to do, but remember you don’t owe Tony anything! You gave him the best years of your life, and he threw you over like a wet dishcloth. If you want to give him another chance fine, but you don’t owe it to him.” Kelly shook her head and went back to her desk.
     
    Glad school business occupied her time–the day passed quickly. The final bell rang, and Christine got ready to leave. Tony will be at his office ; it would give her time to think. She pulled in the driveway and Steven appeared. Oh no , she groaned, not now .
    “Hey, how about dinner tonight? I’ll fix something if you want.”
    “Steven, I’m sorry, not tonight. Tony, oh damn...” She stared at him unsure how to explain.
    “Tony, huh? I noticed he spent the night.”
    “He asked me to give him another chance. I have to think. I’m sorry.” Her eyes begged him to understand, begged him to stay, knowing if she let him go, she’d regret it. Her head pounded.
    Without a word Steven turned and walked away. How could he understand, she didn’t understand it herself. Tears filled her eyes. She went into the house and started a pot of coffee. She needed to think. Needed to sort this out.
    * * * *
    Steven went inside. He went upstairs and packed a bag. He couldn’t stay here. Couldn’t watch her make a new life with Tony.
    He came downstairs and found Lisa. “I’m leaving.”
    “What do you mean, leaving? Why?” Lisa set her potato peeler down and looked at him.
    “You know your father’s back?”
    Lisa nodded.
    Her sad gaze hurt him. This was her father they were talking about. Didn’t she want them to get back together? Okay, Tony was a jerk, but he was still her father. Hell, he couldn’t do this. “I’d only be in the way.”
    “That’s not true, Uncle Steve. You know we love having you here. Besides, I haven’t seen my mother so happy in a long time.” Lisa took his hand. “Please don’t go.”
    “I’m sorry, honey. I have to.”
    “But you have no place to live. Where will you go?”
    “I’ll check into the Hilton. If you don’t mind, I’ll pick up the rest of my stuff when I find a place to live.” Steven hugged her and kissed the top of her head. “You’ll say my goodbyes to Derek, won’t you? I’ll say goodbye to the kids.”
    He found Richard and Jenna in the dining room doing homework. “Hey, guys, I have to leave.” The look on their faces told him they overheard the conversation with Lisa.
    “Please don’t go, Uncle Steve,” Jenna said.
    “Hey, I’ll come back to visit. It’s time I found my own place to live.” He kissed Jenna and Richard goodbye. Pain twisted his gut as he turned to leave. Images of mealtime giggles, helping them with their homework, snowball fights and building snowmen flashed