#rivervale_lodge

"Surely feels like it." She looks tempted to say more

She sips her coffee and leaves quiet space for that other thought to appear.

"Honesttly, I think he's having a midlife crisis early"

"What makes you think that?"

"Oh... you kow, he reflects more on the life he wanted than thhe life he had" she shrus

"Why...what kind of life does he think he wanted?"

"Ohh by now we were supposed to be doing News TV for one of tthe big cities, or Cable"

"You were both going to be journalists?" She smiles. "That sounds exciting."

"Oh, TV news. He was gunning for Anchor. Me? I.. well, I thought it was what I wanted but .... I ended up haing i." She admits "Switched"

"Wait...locally?" She gives the woman another look to see if she actually recognizes her.

She does! Weather Girl!

She blinks. "You did the weather!"

Merri sighs, then plasters a smile on "It looks like that Canadian snow will be staying north of us thanks to a warm front from the Atlantic, but dress warm anyway this weekend. Back to you, Bob"

A sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry, but...you were very reassuring."

"Thanks." She shrugs "But it wasn't for me. Paul? well, they told him he just wasn't anchorrr material. His minor in education paid off tthouh"

Kerri sips, then pauses. "Wait...Paul? Mr. Grant is Paul Grant?" She hopes her startled look is convincing.

"that's his name" She looks amused "I didn't thik you'd remember a minor tv reporter"

"Annnnd...he teaches government...." The tone of a woman putting puzzle pieces together.

"Yes. " She tilts her head

"Ohhhh...this is...awkward...." She sets her cup down and stands. "I think I'd better go."

"Wait, what's wrongg?" She asks

Kerri pauses, and then right from her daughter's playbook, she momentarily bites her lip before answering. "I've met your husband before. And...it was not the most pleasant situation. I'm sorry."

"When.. when was this?" she says

"Oh, years ago. Almost two decades, now I think about it."

the woman blinks, looking slapped "Wait, did you say your nname is.. Kerri?"

"Yes..." She's not sure whether or not she's about to get hit.

"I.. see.. oh.. uhm.. well, he's.. well, it's been years..." she stammers

"Yes. Yes, it has." She pauses. "I should go....?"

"Shit. You're Kerri. Oh well...not like I haven't heard that name before"

She blinks. "Wait...what has he said?"

"I.. he talked about how you broke his heart ... I tthik he dated me partly because my name was close I..." A sigh "He had quite the crush on you"

She sighs. "Look...Merri...I wish I hadn't had to be firm with him, but...he just was not taking 'no' for an answer. And I'm sorry if that means you had to hear about it over and over."

"Well, it did get better... " She says "I'm... sorry Kerri this IS awkard, but it's in the past now. "

A reluctant sound. "Ohh...Merri, I'm sorry, but...I don't think it's entirely past. Not for him. You see...I'm pretty sure my daughter's in his class."

"Your daughter?" She makes a motion to the Chair , an invitation

She sighs. "Yes. And...he's been kind of tough on her. I hadn't put all the pieces together about who 'Mr. Grant' is...."

"Tough on her?" She says "How so?"

A pause. "I'm sorry...I should probably go...."

"I.. look, maybe some other location, anohter time? I can see why you mightt be..uncomfortable here "

Another hesitation. "Merri, I'd really like to talk some more. You seem really great. But...yes, I'm uncomfortable. I'm...very upset with him right now." She says it calmly, but...with feeling.

A nod "Here, my number. Let me know if you want to talk again at another time annd place"

She takes the number, managing a small smile. "Thanks. And I will. Honestly, it's been really lovely to meet you, Merri. And...do consider the PTA, okay? And enjoy the cookies."

"I.. I will" she nods shyly herself

And soon, Kerri is in a jeep, headingg home