Tainted Love: contemporary womens fiction love story and family saga (Behind Closed Doors Book 1) by Erin Cawood Read Free Book Online

we were at the school gates with you again. But this time you were really not happy at our proximity and we were ruining your ‘street-cred’. So Cal gave you a handful of change and told you to stay out of trouble. Ha! Wishful thinking, I guess.
    We left you and walked on towards Georgia’s momentous big day. I couldn’t believe elementary school was here already. You should have seen them, D. Oh God; I’m welling up at the thought of it. He just couldn’t let her go. She was so frightened, because it was all very new and she didn’t know anyone but Cal promised his baby girl she’d have a great time and he’d be there when school let out. Do you know what? He was.
    It was the year Robert and Cal finally came to blows but it wasn’t bloody or messy. You see, after years apart, Gina and Izzy had moved back home, so Robert wasn’t risking that either. When he came to bring Georgia’s birthday present in the middle of the day, I knew something was wrong. Uncle Robert and Izzy never missed any of the children’s parties until the year you went to junior high, remember?
    “He’s fired me.” The words didn’t really sink in. “Well, he’s fired my firm. Cal’s found someone else to represent McKenzie Medical.”
    “He’s done what?” Do you know, we just couldn’t seem to get through one Valentine’s Day without World War III erupting between Cal and me? This year would be no different. How could he? Robert helped Dad set up the clinic. He’d been there right from day one. “He can’t do this to you, Robert. I’ll talk to him.”
    “No, no. Don’t you go getting yourself involved.” He gave me a weak smile. “This is for the best, Fay. Calvin and I have never been able to agree.”
    “But you’ve represented the Hawthorne family forever.”
    “And I will continue to do so.” He kissed me on the cheek. “You know where to find me, Faith.”
    I did know where to find him but it always felt like a betrayal to Cal when I thought to give them a call. It seemed like the battle lines had been drawn, and I’d happened to fall on one side. Izzy went to a different school than you, so I didn’t even have that excuse. So they stayed silent and we lost touch with them, even though they were Mom and Dad’s dearest and closest friends.
    You know, I never thought I’d be lonely; not in a life as full and as busy as mine. But the day I dropped Caleb off for his first day at school, I’d never been so at a loss at what to do.
    He’s always been adventurous and raring to go. I think if the school would have let him, he’d have started a semester or two earlier. He couldn’t wait to get in the classroom. He was dragging me along by my hand. I’ve never known anyone so excited about school before. I had great hopes for the rocket scientist he showed promise to be. Hmm… well… thank God for divine intervention.
    Without Cal at home this time, the house was suddenly so still. There was no television playing in the background, no footfalls running up or down the stairs. I’d completed my whole day’s chores within a few hours of being home. God! How was I going to fill my days?
    I nearly leapt from my skin with the telephone rang. My heart was still pounding as I picked up the handset.
    “It’s me,” Cal said in a distracted voice. “I can’t talk long, between meetings, but I wanted to know how Caleb got on this morning?”
    Aww, how sweet. My heart went gooey. “He was fine.”
    “No, he wasn’t. I can hear it in your voice.” Cal must have sat up because his voice was definitely stronger. “Don’t lie to me, Faith.”
    “He’s fine, I promise.” He blew out a long breath into my ear as I sighed. “I guess I understand why housewives have affairs with milkmen and window cleaners.” I took a drink of my tea.
    “You’re having an affair with the milkman and the window cleaner?” I spluttered the tea over the counter at Cal’s tone. He was deadly serious! “Couldn’t you have at