Chapter 12

From that day on, there were a lot of changes in our family dynamic. Tim Phillips truly became Jennifer’s father. The old Tim was gone, and in his place was a calmer person who admitted he completely stopped drinking. Jennifer would spend weekends with Tim and Candace or his parents on occasion. One night, he apologized to Shelby for the horrible way he had treated her. The conversation ended with both crying and hugging each other. He even thanked me for the wonderful job I had done with Jennifer and Shelby.

He started a savings account for Jennifer for college so she could go anywhere she wanted to go. Jennifer’s team placed third in the World Series, where she once again earned a Golden Glove award. The future was bright for Jen, and she started back with her trainer and pitching coach. Life went back to normal, even if it was for only the two-month or so break I was going to get.

Jennifer started a new school year, and she was now a full-time athlete. We had increased her pitching to three days a week and cut back on the trainer to just twice a week. The one thing I was afraid of was Jennifer getting burned out on softball. She had to have a few distractions in life to clear her mind from the softball diamond.

Shelby’s car had been giving her problems, so we decided to trade it in and get something different. She decided that she wanted a small SUV, and we started looking. After about a month, she bought another Mercedes, only this time a GLS 450 4matic. It was a nice vehicle, but it would not have been my choice. But it was her car, so she made the decision.

From that point on, our lives revolved around Jennifer and softball. She played for ten months out of the year and trained year-round. Sam was still staying with us, but our sex life had diminished a bit because Jennifer was older and stayed awake later at night. She had turned nine and, living with just adults, she was wise beyond her years.

Tim and his family had stepped up big and now had become a big part of Jennifer’s life. Years later, as Jennifer was entering the eighth grade, every private high school in the city was trying to recruit her for softball. She maintained a plus 4.0 GPA and had never been a problem in school. Several schools were trying to arrange a visit for her during open house. Shelby, Jen, and her coach had narrowed it down to Sacred Heart, St. Mary’s, John Adams Magnet School, and St. Scholastica. Three of the four were perennial state champs year in and year out. St. Scholastica was an academic school with an incredible curriculum.

After visiting all four schools, Shelby and Jen had narrowed it down to two. The two in the running were Sacred Heart and St. Mary of the Divine Spirit. Tim and I had talked about it a few times, and we were both leaning towards Sacred Heart. They had a great softball coach in Jane Collins, who had played college ball herself. The second reason was their academic program was very advanced, which is what Jennifer needed.

Jennifer’s travel team had won five state championships, five regional championships, and three World Series titles. She was a starting pitcher and threw the ball close to fifty miles per hour. Which was high school fifteen- to sixteen-year-old speed. Jennifer had to throw the ball in the sixty miles per hour range to secure a D1 college offer. After many long nights of talking and weighing all the options, Jennifer chose Sacred Heart. One of the reasons was that five highly recruited players were all signing that coming year, which meant in several years they would be outstanding.

During those years, I had spoken to Shelby several times about getting married, but she felt that it might ruin the relationship the both of us had with Sam. I didn’t understand how anything would change, but I never did push the issue. Then one day after spending the weekend with her father, Jennifer told me that Candace was no longer living with Tim. I really did not find that odd because Tim had been through a series of relationships since splitting up with Shelby.

We were preparing for another school year when I received a phone call that would change my life as I knew it. It was from Candace Davis. She was Tim’s former girlfriend and someone I had barely spoken to in the past.

“Jace, I know I probably should not be calling you, but there is something you should know.” she started.

“Candace, I don’t understand.” I replied.

“Jace, I know you’re a great guy from the way Jennifer talks about you. She goes on and on about the times you two spend together and the things you do for her.” she continued.

“Jennifer is a great kid, but I’m still lost, Candace.” I reiterated.

“Jace, there is no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to tell you the truth. I left Tim, but I am not sure you knew that.” she stated.

“Jennifer told me you were not living at Tim’s anymore, but that was about it.” I responded.

“That’s true, but I left of my own accord. Tim started acting funny, and I had no clue whatsoever why. Then about early last month, I came home early from work. I was not feeling well, so I took the rest of the day off. When I pulled up the driveway, I noticed Tim’s car and a second car there. I went in through the side entrance. As I entered the kitchen, I heard noise from the bedroom area. I walked quietly down the hallway to the master bedroom. When I opened the door, Tim was in bed fucking another woman.” she stated in an emotional tone.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Candace. But I still don’t understand what this has to do with me.” I answered confused.

“Jace, the woman was Shelby.” she said softly.

It was like someone punched me in the stomach and took the wind out of me. My head began spinning, and I knew my blood pressure shot through the roof. It took me several minutes to respond after I collected myself.

“Candace, I find that very hard to believe. We are together for most of the day. I don’t see Shelby ever doing that to me.” I responded.

“I understand, Jace, I really do. It took me a month to make this phone call. I was not going to say anything at all, but deep down it really bothered me. I have not told anyone else, and I won’t, but I thought you should know. If you confront them, they will know I told you, but I won’t spread it around.” she promised.

“Like I said, I find it hard to believe, but then again, why would you say it if it’s not true?” I replied.

“Jace, you’re a good man, you deserve better. Please take care of yourself.” she finished, hanging up.

I hung up the phone and sat back on the sofa while my stomach was doing flips. Could Shelby have really mended fences with Tim? I did not see how that was possible after the things he did to her, but humans are flawed. My dad always told me no matter who the person is, they may do horrible things to you. But I just could not believe Shelby could do something like this. Shelby was everything to me. My lover, my best friend, and the mother to a child I had grown to adore.

After a few minutes, I had to run to school and pick up Jennifer. I felt sick to my stomach, but I got up and left. As I was driving, I started to think about the times when Shelby and I were apart. I started to think of little things like when she would be late. Or a last-minute errand to run. It just did not make any sense. I pulled in front of the school and picked up Jen. As soon as she got in the car, she sensed something was wrong.

“Jace, what is going on?” she asked.

“Nothing, sweet pea. It’s just work stuff.” I lied.

“Jace, work stuff never bothers you. Is it my mom?”, she asked.

“No, Jen, it’s not your mom. Why would you say that?” I asked.

“Because she has been acting strange, and now you’re acting strange.” Jennifer quickly replied.

“How has your mom been acting?” I asked.

“Weird, really weird. Several times she has been late to pick me up. She would say traffic was bad or that she lost track of time. She never does that.” Jennifer mentioned.

We drove the rest of the way in silence and pulled into the driveway. I called the gym to see if Shelby was there but was told she left about ninety minutes ago. I laid back on the sofa and turned the television on while Jennifer started her homework. Twenty minutes later, Shelby came in and kissed Jen, then walked over to me doing the same. I was still trying to figure out how to bring this up. I decided to wait until we went to bed later.

That was the longest evening I ever spent. Watching a woman that meant the world to me imagining her fucking another man. If she was, I gave her credit because she acted like there was not a thing wrong in her world. That night after I showered, I got into bed and waited. She joined me after her shower and wrapped her arms around me. I was trying to think of how to bring this up. Then what if Candace was lying to me to get back at Tim? This could be a mess, but I had to know.

“Shelby, I need to talk to you about something.” I said softly.

“Sure, baby, what’s up?” she answered.

“When did you start sleeping with Tim again?” I asked.

For close to fifteen seconds, she did not move or utter a word. I figured she was either shocked at the question or it was true. Finally, she lifted her head and looked me in the eyes.

“Why would you ask me a question like that?” she stated.

“Because as much as I don’t want it to be true, I’m just not sure.” I replied.

“Then I don’t understand. Why would you ask me that?” she responded with a look I had never seen before.

“Because Candace told me she walked in on the two of you in bed.” I replied.

The look on Shelby’s face told me everything I needed to know. Her eyes filled up with water, and a single tear rolled down her left cheek. She pulled away and lay back on her side of the bed.

“Why, Shelby... Have I done something wrong?” I asked.

“No, Jace, you have never done anything wrong.” she responded softly, crying.

“Then I’m sorry, but I just don’t get it.” I stated.

“One day, I went over there to bring Jennifer a pair of pants to wear later. She was at the store with Candace at the time. I went in for just a second, and Tim pulled me into his arms and kissed me. For a few seconds, I was shocked. But then it felt so familiar, and I guess I started to kiss him back. One thing led to another, and I fucked him. I swore it would be just a one-time thing, but somehow, I always found myself going back when he called.” she stated.