Free Crystal Lies by Melody Carlson

I think divorce is a good thing,” she continued. “But I do believe there are some cases where marriages can’t continue. For instance, abuse. I would never encourage a woman who’s being abused to stay in her marriage.”
    “Well, Geoffrey never abused me. At least not physically.”
    The three women from city hall were getting up to leave. But I suspected that Judith had noticed me when her face suddenly changed from its otherwise placid expression to something akin to slight shock. I’m sure it was because I was looking so pathetic, like some unfortunate bag lady that Sherry had kindly picked up off the street and offered a meal. Even so, I managed to hold up my hand in a pitiful little wave and smile. Tomy relief, Judith smiled back and then simply exited. I would’ve been mortified if she’d come any closer or even greeted me in my current condition. And I couldn’t imagine what she might possibly say to my husband the next time their paths crossed, and I felt sure they would. Perhaps she would ask him if his wife had been seriously ill.
    “Did they go?” asked Sherry.
    “Yes. But Judith recognized me.”
    “Well, you know it’s only a matter of time before everyone starts hearing about this.” Then she held up her hand as if in an oath. “But rest assured, Glennis, they won’t be hearing it from me.”
    “Thanks.”
    “So what about Jacob? Does he know about this yet?”
    “No. I’ve been looking all over town for him. I think he got fired from his job for not showing up today.”
    “That’s too bad.”
    “Yeah, I’m afraid he’s just about exhausted all the minimum-wage jobs in Stafford by now.”
    “He must have quite an interesting résumé.”
    I pushed my plate away. “I just hope I can find him, before, well, before anything bad happens.”
    “What do you think might happen?”
    “Well, I can’t imagine how he must feel, being kicked out of his home by his own father. Just before he left, he told me that he knew his dad hated him.”
    “That’s too bad.”
    “I guess I’m worried that he might be depressed, you know, and possibly do something foolish.” I didn’t mention my biggest fear—that he might accidentally overdose.
    “But Jacob wouldn’t harm himself, would he?”
    “It’s hard to say.” I wrapped the paper napkin around my finger likea tourniquet. “He was pretty down and discouraged when he left the house yesterday.”
    “Do you think he’s staying with friends for a while?”
    “I don’t know. But even if he is, how long can that last when he doesn’t have a job or anything to fall back on?” I wanted to say, how long can that last if he can’t pay his so-called friends for their stupid drugs? But I didn’t.
    “Maybe he’ll try to call you on your cell phone,” she offered.
    “Maybe. So far he hasn’t. I just want him to know that I’ve moved out and that he can come stay with me. I want him to know he has a place. I plan to fix up the second bedroom for him. It’s pretty small, but—”
    “But it’s a roof over his head.” Sherry smiled. “And I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”
    “If he ever figures it out…”
    “Did I tell you that Matthew is home for a couple of weeks before college starts again next month? How about if I ask him to keep an eye out for Jacob while he’s here? He probably still knows a lot of the places where kids hang out these days.”
    I wasn’t so sure about that. Matthew may have had his troubles a few years back, but he’d never sunk so low as my son. “Sure,” I told her. “I’d appreciate that.”
    “Well, at least I know why I kept thinking of you lately,” she said in a sad voice. “And I really have been praying for you, Glennis. Guess I’ll have to pray even harder now.”
    I studied her. “Do you really think it makes a difference?”
    She didn’t seem surprised by my question. “I know what you mean. And I can remember feeling like that too. Especially when Matthew and Mark were going