8 Weeks (Time for Love 1)

He’d said he was going to prove to me that he was willing to do anything to make our marriage work, and although I didn’t think it was possible, I was willing to watch him suffer.

Cal finished his beer, then pushed slowly away from the table, his chair scraping with every inch.

He walked over to the DJ like a man on death row, and I couldn’t help the glee that coursed through me.

This was going to be fun.

I sipped my gin and tonic and watched Cal shaking his head as the DJ rattled off possible songs. Finally, he nodded and made his way to the stage.

He looked visibly shaken, and I started to regret the thrill I’d felt over his nervousness. He looked like he was about to vomit all over the stage. Cal gripped the microphone so hard that his knuckles were white. He stared at the monitor, probably wishing that his three minutes of fame were behind him.

When the music started to play, I let out a loud laugh, causing Cal to look up and catch my eye. The smile that spread over his face turned my insides to mush.

As he sang All Summer Long, by Kid Rock, memories of our summer before senior year flashed through my mind.

We’d been dating for six months and were so in love. Our summer was spent at the lake with Sasha, Gaby, TJ, and Scott. We went out on the boat, played in the water, and stayed up late at bonfires.

It was the best summer of my life.

We were young, carefree, and with the people we loved most in the world. It had seemed like the world was ours for the taking, and we’d hoped the summer would never end.

When the song ended, Cal’s ears were bright red and he left the stage like his jeans were on fire.

When he plopped into the chair next to me, I turned to him, the memory of the song still a smile on my lips.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

Cal looked to me, his face totally serious, and said, “That was the most terrifying experience of my life.”

We shared a laugh, and he gestured toward the stage with his head.

“Your turn.”

I gave him a smile and a nod, then went over to the familiar DJ and gave him thumbs up.

I sang the same song every time I came here.

I grew up loving to sing, but had never sung in public until Sasha and Gaby had brought me here on a girls’ night. Once we’d made it a regular hangout, I’d grown to love the feel of being on stage with the mic in my hand. I knew it would never be anything other than a hobby, but singing made me feel a peace, in a way not many other things in my life ever had.

I let myself feel the music as the words that Adele had written sprang from my lips. I closed my eyes and sang from my heart. It was the most content I’d felt in weeks.

When the music stopped, I opened my eyes to the sound of applause and was surprised to see Cal on his feet, a look of awe on his face.

I smiled shyly and walked off of the stage.

Before I knew what was happening, I was swept up in Cal’s arms as he spun me in a circle.

“That was amazing, Shel,” Cal said, his voice filled with excitement.

When my feet hit the floor I gently maneuvered myself out of his arms. My heart was pounding, and confusion filled me.

I took a step back and said, “Thanks.”

Cal hadn’t yet r

ealized the distance I was trying to put between us; he was still gushing about my performance.

“I can’t believe I didn’t know what a beautiful voice you have. I mean, you always sound good in the shower and when we’re driving, but I had no idea just how powerful it was until now.” Cal’s eyes were lit up with excitement and his grin was contagious.