Free The Woman He Married by Julie Ford Page A

she saw the special treat.”
    Josie felt her pulse start to race in anticipation of Bobbie’s turn on stage.
    As the bananas appeared from the opposite side of the stage, Jessica said, “Oh! Who will help me peel the bananas?” Josie watched for the tops to open and…
    “God, almighty!” she said as all the blood drained from her face. “Did you…” Josie’s throat closed up, making it impossible for her to finish her sentence.
    “What?” Gina followed Josie’s gaze over to where the bananas were standing, about to open. Then, taking in a sizeable breath, she said, “We forgot, didn’t we?”
    “We have to do something!” Josie’s voice was shrill as she tried to think of a way to put off the inevitable. “We need a distraction.”
    “What do you have in mind?” Gina said with a snort. “You want me to waltz out there and rip off my top while you tackle the bananas and roll ’ em off the stage?”
    “Gina!” Josie wasn’t laughing. “Be serious!” she said as she started to make a move toward the stage.
    “Wow, hold on there! Maybe someone else fixed the color?” Gina pulled Josie back behind the curtain.
    “Maybe? Maybe?” Josie couldn’t leave this to a maybe. But looking back onto the stage she could see…
    It was already too late.
    * * * *
    Holding her breath, Josie had her fingers crossed so tight her knuckles were turning white. Barely able to watch, she had one eye closed, as the skins started to roll down. Please don’t be pink, please don’t be pink, please don’t …
    When the pink at the top began to materialize under the glaring stage lights, Josie felt her adrenaline pumping as her fight or flight reflexes kicked in. She was already packed, so maybe if she ducked out now she could get home, grab her suitcase, and ride off into the sunset before anyone realized she’d gone. Or she could just keep holding her breath until she passed out, creating a diversion, and giving Gina time to dispose of the costumes.
    The audience let out a sigh, followed by a few random claps, when the yellow skins turned down revealing Bobbie, Luke, and Brandon ’s smiling faces.
    “Now all the bananas were ready to eat, proud to be the special treat.”
    Gina stayed quiet for a moment, listening. “I think that we might be in the clear,” she said, squeezing Josie’s arm.
    Josie let out the air she’d been holding captive in her lungs, allowed her body to relax, and her fingers to untwist.
    But her relief wasn’t to last.
    A small disturbance ensued from the audience. “Do you see? Looks like… Good Lord!” The voices were muddled but Josie could tell that something was definitely happening. Peeking out through the slit in the curtain, she saw confused, or maybe angry faces, and pointing fingers. Lori Watson left her seat, heading to the other side of the stage, fists clenched, eyes narrowed.
    Josie closed her eyes and hung her head, knowing that they were not in the clear.
    “What’s happening?” Gina asked, biting a nail. She actually looked nervous herself.
    Josie didn’t answer. She just looked across the stage as Lori’s angry face appeared on the other side. One hand pointing at the boys, the other balled into a tight fist at her side, Lori spoke to Pamela. As she watched the exchange, Josie could feel the heat of Lori’s anger pulsating across the stage. She and Gina stood frozen while Pamela timidly pointed in their direction, and Lori turned her infuriated gaze on them.
    The boys made their way backstage, and Josie watched as their excitement melted to fear with Lori’s demeanor. Then, turning on her heel, she stomped off, heading straight for Gina and Josie.
    “She’s coming,” Josie said, and grabbed Gina’s hand, squeezing it hard.
    Josie tried to think. What can I say? Should I say that I’m not the one who painted them and blame the other mom? “She’s the one who painted them pink.” Or pretend like I don’t know what the problem is? “I don’t see anything