Chapter 2

That night, Jack Cheney didn’t return home until late. Sarah Quinn didn’t ask why, yawning as she urged him to get some rest. It wasn’t until the next day that she noticed the new pattern on the two bright red floral comforters. Blue. Her sister Lily’s favorite color. No wonder he came back so late. Sarah let out a self-deprecating laugh, swallowing the bitter lump in her throat. Peeking out the window, she saw no sign of Jack. Instead, the voices of the nearby neighbors caught her attention. “What are you looking for so early? Missing your Jack already?” one of the women teased. “Oh, let me tell you,” chimed in another, “Captain Cheney was at my little shop just yesterday, grabbing soaps, creams, and powders like they were free!” “I asked him what he’d do with so much, and he said, ‘My little sister loves to look pretty, so I’m just stocking up for her.’” “Sarah, you’re one lucky girl to have a man like Captain Cheney!” The women laughed together, their voices full of admiration. But their words only chilled Sarah further. His “little sister” – they could only mean Lily. Sarah quietly shut the window, her gaze flicking back to the blue comforters. Pressing her lips together, she stuffed them into the closet and headed out. On the way to the factory, she ran into Laura Jenkins, who was off duty. “Perfect timing! I was just looking for you,” Laura said. “There’s going to be a meeting in a couple of days for the teaching outreach program in the next district. If you’re serious about going to the Everglades project, you should attend.” Sarah nodded, quickly jotting down the details. She asked about the bus schedule to the next district, only to learn that all the vehicles were out of service for repairs. No buses were running for the time being. That evening, Sarah brought up the meeting with Jack over dinner, choosing her words carefully. “The meeting is in the next district,” she said casually. “I’d like to go.” Jack barely looked up. “Sure. The squad’s quiet that day, so I can drive you. But why the sudden interest in heading over there?” Sarah hesitated. “Oh, Laura mentioned a new bookstore over there. I thought I’d check it out.” “Alright. By the way, some of the older guys here who watch the weather are saying there’s a big snowstorm coming. Make sure you bundle up. And if you see something you like, just buy it. Don’t worry about the money.” Their conversation ended with her murmured “okay.” Sarah didn’t ask about the comforters. She didn’t ask where the creams and powders had gone. There was no point in humiliating herself further. Some things didn’t need to be asked. Eventually, she’d find the right moment to end this mistake of a relationship entirely. On the day of the meeting, the snow had already begun to fall lightly. Sarah had Jack drop her off in town before she got out of the car. “I’ll check out the bookstore and stop by a clothing shop afterward,” she said. “You don’t need to stick around. I know you’re not interested in that kind of thing.” Jack checked his watch. “Alright. Old Carl asked me to grab a few things from the department store anyway. I’ll come back in two hours to pick you up. Don’t wander too far,” he said, his voice lined with concern. After a few parting words, Jack drove off, and Sarah walked in the opposite direction. … The meeting went smoothly, finalizing the team and departure schedule. Sarah glanced at her calendar. Fifteen days. That would be enough time to put everything in order. As the agreed pickup time approached, she made her way to the spot where Jack was supposed to meet her. By then, night had fallen, and the light snow from earlier had turned into thick, heavy flakes, blanketing the ground. Jack didn’t show. Sarah eventually called his office from a public phone. “Captain Cheney?” the voice on the other end said. “He stopped by earlier but left in a hurry after a phone call. We thought it was from you.” “I see. Do you know where he went?” “Sorry, I don’t. You might want to wait somewhere warm, and I’ll let him know if he comes back.” “…Thank you.” Sarah hung up, staring out at the snowstorm. The streets were empty; shops had closed early due to the weather. Even the buses had stopped running to avoid getting stuck. The only way back home – miles and miles away – was on foot. Sarah decided to walk toward home, hoping to meet Jack’s car along the way. But step after step, there was no sign of him. The snow piled higher as she trudged forward, her shoes sinking deep into it with every step. The freezing wind tore through her thick coat, which felt like nothing more than a sheet of paper against her skin. By the time she finally reached home, her entire body was numb with cold. And then she saw it. Jack’s car was parked neatly outside. He stepped out, holding an umbrella, and opened the door for someone inside. Lily. The umbrella tilted toward her, shielding her from the snow as she stepped out. “Thank you, Jack,” Lily said sweetly, her voice carrying through the cold night. “I already feel bad enough for coming early and imposing on you. And now, you’re going out of your way to pick me up so late.” “The snow’s too heavy; all the buses stopped running. You don’t need to feel bad. You and I don’t need to stand on ceremony,” Jack replied warmly, grabbing bags from the car and carrying them inside. “Come on, I’ve got everything ready for you,” Jack continued. “I saved the room on the north side – it gets the best sunlight, and you need that. You’ve got to take care of yourself. The comforters are new, all in your favorite patterns. If there’s anything else you need, just tell me, and I’ll get it for you.” Sarah stood frozen in place, watching from a distance. She could hear Lily’s laughter, light and carefree. “You’re so good to me, Jack. I hope Sarah doesn’t get jealous,” Lily teased, her voice dripping with sweetness. “I’m only staying for a few days, after all. Don’t let me ruin your marriage.” She turned to Jack and added with a knowing smile, “If I’d known how thoughtful you’d be, and that you’d go on to become such a big shot, I should’ve listened to my mom and married you back then.” From where she stood, Sarah saw the way Jack’s eyes lit up at Lily’s words. That spark of hope, that unguarded brightness, said it all. Sarah felt a wave of emptiness wash over her. Forty-two letters. One for every month Lily had been married and away. Jack had never really forgotten who he truly loved. All this time, she’d been living in a lie, blinded by a love that was never real.