Chapter 3
Chapter 3
I quickly stood up, snatching the papers from his hand in a panic.
“I’ve got it. Just don’t mess with my stuff.”
Jake looked at me, caught off guard by my reaction.
“You’re quitting your job?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but before I could say anything, Jake chuckled.
“Well hey, that’ll open up a spot, won’t it?”
“If Jessica lands the full time position, I’d feel a whole lot better about things.”
Any explanation I had got stuck in my throat.
I looked at him–really looked at him–then turned and walked out, not even bothering to pick up the scattered papers.
After turning in my resignation, I found Jake waiting outside the school gates, holding a cardboard box.
When he saw me, he pressed his lips together and handed it to me.
“Your stuff.”
My heart softened a little.
I almost thanked him-
Until he added,
“Hey, do you think you could write Jessica a recommendation letter?”
“It’d really help her get hired on full–time.”
A gust of wind kicked up, stinging my eyes like sand.
I rubbed at the corners, keeping my voice even.
“Sure.”
Consider it my parting gift after years of marriage.
Jake gave a crooked smile when I said yes.
Then, like he just remembered something, he asked,
“What about you? Got something else lined up?”
I turned my head and answered vaguely,
“Yeah. Another teaching gig at a different school.“/
He nodded, relieved.
Then set the box down and pulled me into a hug.
“Emily, marrying you…. that was the best decision Iever made.”
“When this all settles down, I’ll take you home to see Dad.”
“We’ll share a drink and talk, just the three of us.”
23:35
Goodbye, Captain: I Left the Army Wife Life–And Took His Reputation With Me
1.6%
Chapter 3
I leaned into him, chest tight.
It was too late.
All of it was too late.
Before he could say more, Jessica walked up behind him.
“Jake, I’m not feeling so great. Can we go home now?”
I glanced at her–rosy cheeks, healthy as ever.
Still, I stepped back.
Jake did exactly what I knew he would.
He let go of me like I’d burned him, looking guilty.
“I should take Jessica home. We’ll talk later, okay?”
He put an arm around her like she was made of glass.
Careful. Protective.
Like she was something rare.
I said nothing.
Just bent down, picked up the box, and on the way out-
Tossed it into the nearest trash can.
I didn’t want anything Jake had touched.
My last day in town, I cooked a big dinner for the folks who mattered.
Mostly Jake’s teammates.
Guys I’d known for years.
As I brought out the final dish, I heard them shouting and laughing around the table.
“C’mon, Captain Jake–why don’t you and Jessica do a little toast together?”
“Yeah! Interlock arms, like at a wedding!”
Jessica sat next to him, cheeks flushed from wine.
“Oh stop, you guys–Jake’s still a married man.”
Someone snorted.
“Please. We all know if he hadn’t been forced into that marriage, he’d still be with Jessica.”
“And Emily’s not even around anymore.”
The food was still hot in my hands, but it felt colder than ice.
These were the same guys who used to call me Ma’am, like I was some perfect military wife straight out of a Hallmark special.
Now they talked like I was already gone.
Jake slammed his glass on the table, his jaw clenched.
He was about to speak-
23:36
Goodbye, Captain: I Left the Army Wife Life–And Took His Reputation With Me
1.9%
Chapter 3
But I stepped in just in time, clearing my throat and setting the dish down
“Dinner’s ready.”
I smiled and went to take my seat.
Jake froze, staring at the food like it offended him.
“What’s with all the dishes Jessica doesn’t like?”
Jessica waved a hand, soft–voiced.
“It’s okay. I’ll just eat some greens.”
“I’m sure Emily didn’t mean anything by it…”
But her eyes turned glassy, like she was about to cry.
Jake stood up, clearly annoyed.
“I’ll take you to the mess hall, Jessica.”
“You don’t have to eat this.”
“Wait.”
