We take seats and Maggie helps herself to a bite of fettucine alfredo.
“How is it?” I question.
She savors her food, chewing slowly.
“You know, it’s good. I feel like it could be cheesier, but you know I like my stuff super-cheesy. Otherwise, it’s excellent.”
I nod while biting into my spaghetti carbonara.
"I agree. This also needs to be a bit cheesier, but I guess we’re both very cheesy people!”
She giggles at my play on words.
“Oh you,” Maggie laughs. “You’re so funny, but yeah, great minds think alike," she grins. Yet even through her smile, I can tell Maggie’s tired.
"You okay, honey? I know you said you’re exhausted from me keeping you up nights. I’m sorry about that, baby. We can just sleep tonight if you want."
Maggie giggles, but then takes a sip of her drink before putting it down.
“No, because I love how you make me feel, Ed. But I’ve been wondering: do you think Corey can hear us? I mean, on days when I wake up with a scratchy, dry throat, I wonder if he can hear the screaming and moaning and, you know, the thumping of the bed frame against the wall too. I thought we were going to break the bed that time! "
I grin broadly and shake my head. "I highly doubt it. My son plays video games late into the night with his headphones on and then falls asleep to music with the same headphones on. My guess is that he’s clueless."
Maggie bites her lip and nods, but then she looks relieved. "Good because it would be so awkward if he found out about us." Then she pauses, and shoots me another long look. "Can I ask you something else?"
I nod while taking her hand.
"Ask me anything, sweetheart. I’m an open book."
She takes a deep breath before meeting my gaze.
"What happened with you and Corey’s mom? I know you’ve been divorced for a while now, and I know she isn’t in the picture."
I sigh and sit back in my chair.
"It’s actually a long story, and somewhat bittersweet and predictable as many of these types of stories are. Sabrina and I got married right out of college. When we married, everything was amazing, but we were young honey. We were too young and unfortunately, love sometimes isn’t enough. Over the years, we just started taking different paths in life and we didn’t even know it at first, to be honest. During that period, I was working a lot and I was barely ever home. Meanwhile, my ex seemed to become a different person.”
Maggie cocks her head. “How did she turn into a different person?”
I shrug and think for a moment before I speak. It’s been a while since I’ve reflected on my failed marriage, but I think I’ve put it into perspective now.
"Sabrina didn’t want to be in a family anymore, I guess,” is my slow reply. “She’d had enough of being a wife and mother. She wanted to pursue her own interests, and I can see why. She’d been home alone, raising a child full-time for more than a decade, and wanted to expand her horizons.”
Maggie looks puzzled.
“Did she say anything about how unhappy she was?”
I sigh, my chest feeling heavy.
“No, not really. You have to understand that this took place over almost twenty years. Sabrina never complained, and seemed to enjoy her time with Corey. She never asked me to come home earlier in the evening, or to change anything in particular. But over time, she started doing her own thing and after a few years, I got the impression she was glad I didn’t come home earlier.”
Maggie nods.
“That sounds really unfortunate.”
I nod as well.
"Because it is. It’s like waking up one day to realize that you don’t even know the person you’re married to. Don’t get me wrong. I was working all the time growing my business, and my ex supported me because Burrata gave us the lifestyle we enjoyed. But Sabrina had also taken up yoga and began to delve into different spiritual beliefs. Some of the beliefs struck a nerve with her and she eventually became a devotee of a guru named Ram Shinda, whose teachings resonated with her. So much so that she followed him to India. That’s where she is now, living in an ashram."
Maggie gasped. "Holy cow! That’s really out there."
I smile ruefully and take the sweet girl’s hand.
"You’re not thinking of living in an ashram, are you?"
She giggles. "No."
I bend over the table to reach her lips and kiss her.
“Good, because I don’t think I could take it. It was a surprise when Sabrina announced her plans.”
Maggie shakes her head.
“But is she still in touch with you guys? Does she talk to Corey at least?”
I nod.
“She does. And Sabrina knows about our son’s narcissistic behavior, but she chalks it up to adolescent hormones more than anything else. Regardless, mother and son are in touch, and she wants what’s best for him too, so I can’t fault her in that respect.”