Free Second Chances by Kimberly McKay Page B

in your closets.  Check where they belong – not where you left them last.”
    A look of relief washed over her son’s face. He quickly crossed the back patio to kiss her on the cheek. 
              “Thanks,” Travis muttered, before running back inside.  “It’s cold out here.”
    As Paige watched the exchange, her heart sank.  To see the inner workings of a loving family, in which a mom effortlessly cared for her children tore at her from the inside out.  She tried hard not to tear up.
    Natasha watched her child run back inside with joy.  She had such sweet kids and knew how blessed she was.  However once she saw the empty stare her friend displayed, as she gazed into the pool – she knew something had struck a chord for Paige. 
    She turned the iron off and set it aside before walking over to join her.  As she sat down, she set a hand over Paige’s and searched her eyes. Paige gave a smile in return, but there was no light in her eyes.
    “Everything okay?”  Natasha kept her eyes locked on Paige’s.
    Paige wanted to confide in her friend but if she opened up everything might erupt. Overwhelmed and disappointed that her idea of her forties was nothing like she’d planned, she sank deeper into her chair.              Natasha nodded knowingly.  “You alright?”
                  “Yeah.”  Paige sipped the last of her cocoa and set the mug down on the table, next to her.  “It’s just seeing you with your kid…” 
                  Natasha sunk into the couch next to her friend, knowing how hard it must be to see the life you’d dreamed of that never came to fruition.  She sat there knowing there was nothing she could say to comfort Paige.  The only thing she could offer was her shoulders to lean on.
                  Paige looked up to the sky as a tear escaped down her face. 
                  “Davis always said we’d start a family as soon as he made partner.  Then it was as soon as the next big case was done.  It was always something, and then he left me.   And now it’s too late.” She laughed and wiped her face dry, before continuing, “I’m not going to find anyone who would want to start a family this late in life.  Who am I kidding?  I’m done with men.  Even if there was someone for me – I’m not sure I’d care.”
    “Oh, Paige.”  Natasha pulled her friend in tight.
    “I’m sorry.  I shouldn’t be dumping this on you.”
    She pulled away from her friend’s embrace, letting her sobs subside.  “You have a great family.  You’re really lucky.”
                  “I do – but you’re allowed to feel your way through this.” Natasha saw her friend stuffing her emotions back down.  She stroked her arms, and continued, “If you didn’t - you’d explode.  So, tell me how you feel.”
                  Paige thought about it for a moment, as she’d never been able to talk to anyone about this.  She winced unsure.
    “Trust me, Paige.  It will help to talk to someone.”
    She took a deep breath and dove in.             
                  “How do I feel? I’m pissed.  I had a plan for my life!”  Paige tucked her feet beneath her, sitting Indian style on the couch.  “I was going to be happily married and have babies … lots of them!”
                  Natasha nodded and wiped the tears from her friend’s face. 
                  “I want to shoot Davis for putting it off, and now I’m never going to have my own baby.”  Paige choked.  “I’m mad at Davis and … God. I did everything right.  And both let me down.”
                  She could understand.  If her husband had treated her the way Davis did Paige, she’d feel the same way.  However, she hoped Paige wouldn’t hold a grudge where her faith was concerned.
                  Paige instantly felt bad for