Status Update Read Online Free Page B

years ago.”
    Laura reached out to touch his hand. “Oh Bryan. I’m so sorry. That must’ve been terrible for you.”
    Bryan nodded. “For a while there, I was pretty much living day to day. But it’s true what they say. Time heals all wounds. I miss her, but I’ve accepted she’s gone and I’ve figured out a way to move forward. So now it’s just Trina and me. I’m renting an apartment in town and she’s living in a dorm on campus. That was the deal. I could follow her to college, but I had to keep my distance.”
    Laura admired Bryan’s strength, his courage. There was a sadness in his eyes when he spoke about his wife that told her he hadn’t had an easy go of it these last few years. “My kids wouldn’t have let me move to their college towns, period, but considering they were twins and they attended universities on opposite sides of the state, it’s pretty safe to say that set-up wouldn’t have worked anyway.”
    “Attended?”
    “They graduated a year ago. I’m very pleased to say my children are both presently employed in their chosen professions and have started paying their debt to society. Kevin is a medical technician at a hospital near Roslyn and Katie teaches kindergarten here in town.”
    Bryan gestured toward the bar. “The band is finishing up this set and then they’re going to take a break. I promised to bring Trina a glass of water. You have a few minutes to hang out? I’d love to introduce you to her.”
    “Sure.” Laura followed Bryan to the bar, waiting as the bartender made Bryan a gin and tonic and poured Trina a glass of water.
    “You sure you don’t want something?” he asked.
    She shook her head. “Better not. I’ve already overindulged on lemon shooters.”
    Bryan feigned a wince. “Ouch. Tomorrow could be painful.”
    “Sadly, I’m aware of that. I’m hoping to curtail some of the agony with Advil and water tonight before bed.”
    “So what about you?” Bryan asked as they dodged dancers, working their way toward the stage. “What are you up to these days?”
    “I’m a secretary in a high school.”
    “And your husband?”
    Laura paused. That question still took her unaware as she wondered if people would judge her harshly for giving up on a twenty-three-year marriage. “I’m divorced.”
    “Oh. I’m sorry.”
    Laura shrugged. “It’s okay. I initiated the split.”
    “I see. Are you happy?”
    Laura didn’t know how to reply. When she’d finally gotten up the nerve to ask Mason for a divorce, happiness had been her goal. She’d spent years in a relationship with a man who had no capacity for joy. Laura suspected he was bipolar—or perhaps suffering from depression—but Mason insisted he was fine, refused to go to the doctor and blamed her for his inherent unhappiness. For years, his misery took its toll. She’d left Mason because she wanted to be happy again. But was she?
    Bryan interrupted her thoughts. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that was a hard question.”
    “Let’s just say I’m searching for my happiness.”
    “Is that why you’re here tonight? Forgive me for saying it, but this doesn’t seem like it would be your normal environment.”
    Laura laughed. “It’s not. At all. My friends dragged me along. And yeah, I think this is part of my quest to rediscover the Laura I used to be. The one who laughed and danced and enjoyed life.”
    Bryan studied her face. “Is it working?”
    Laura’s face hurt from smiling. She was tipsy, relaxed and she’d laughed more tonight than in the entire previous year. Running into Bryan after so many years apart was the cherry on top of an excellent evening. “Yeah. It is.”
    “Good.”
    The band announced they were taking a short break. Trina walked over to join them. “Hey, Dad. Thanks,” she said as Bryan handed her the glass of water. “What did you think of that set?”
    “Best one of the night.”
    Trina beamed at her father’s praise. “Wait ’til you hear the last