She told him everything, that Misty had been calling Sharon regularly, the kind of lies she’d been saying. All of it, and she didn’t leave a thing out.
By the time she finished Thomas looked like he was ready to explode. “That fucking whore. She almost ruined my marriage. Do you know how close Sharon has come to leaving me? Fuck, this is a fucking nightmare. Before I realized Sharon was the woman for me, I didn’t have the best reputation. I had no respect for women. Being with her, it changed me, and Sharon had to put up with what I did before her.”
“I’m sure Sharon’s heard the news of Misty’s confession.”
“You saw her? You saw Misty with a guy she claimed to be me?”
“I did, and I know it’s all lies. I care about Sharon. I don’t want to see her hurt, not by you or anyone. I know your marriage is none of my business, and I’m not going to pass on anymore judgement on you. Talk to Sharon. You’ve got to be able to handle this.” Cora finished her coffee, and stood. “I’ve got to go home. I’ve got a date of my own.”
“What do I do? Everything is strained with us.”
Sitting back down, she took his hand. “What do you mean?”
“Sharon and I, we were voted the couple that was not likely to make it. It’s fucking stupid, I know, but Sharon has always been bothered about it. I couldn’t give a fuck what others think. I love her. How do we get past this?” he asked.
“You take it one day at a time, one step at a time. Like I said, Thomas, I don’t know what’s happened in your marriage. Talk to her if you haven’t already, or get her to talk to you?”
Thomas looked nervous.
“What?” Cora asked.
“We hit a hard place a year or so back. I wasn’t the best guy to be around, and I may have said some shit that I didn’t mean.” Thomas said. “You know, Sharon never actually accused me of cheating on her. The rumors were there, and she didn’t say anything to me. I was hoping she would, or at least laugh it off. She said nothing, and distanced herself, and I got so angry with her.”
“Thomas, I’ve never been married. I like Sharon. I know her through work and seeing her a little here and there. I’d say the biggest problem is the fact neither of you have talked to each other. Nothing can be resolved unless you find some way to talk.” Cora tapped his hand. She didn’t want to know exactly what had happened, and she didn’t want to know. This was between Sharon and Thomas. “I really need to go.”
She nodded toward Teri before climbing into her car. Cora was home within twenty minutes, and when she walked into her home, the scent of steak hit her.
Her stomach rumbled, and she made her way toward the kitchen.
“Hey, baby, have you been keeping out of trouble?” James asked. He was standing at her stove, over the griddle where the steaks were.
“I’m fine, and yes, I think I may have helped Sharon and Thomas.”
“You really do care about everyone, don’t you?” he asked.
“I care about people who deserve it,” she said. “Misty was being a bitch, and she could have messed up Sharon’s marriage. I’m starving.”
“Go and sit down. I’ll bring everything through.”
She took a seat, picking up her wine glass and taking a generous sip.
James came through with both of their plates. The steak looked damn good. He served it with garlic roasted potatoes and a salad.
“Does your club know you make a salad?” she asked, smiling.
He chuckled. “No, not really.”
Cora took a bite of the steak and moaned. “You’re my hero.”
“So, you love me,” he said.
She looked up at him. “I, erm, I don’t know what to say about that.”
“You could answer truthfully,” he said.
“You make me feel good,” she said. “I like you, James. I like you a lot.”
“I like you, too.”