Dear Diary, you might suppose I’ve rushed into filing for divorce as fast as I rushed into marrying Jem. And, you’re not wrong. I hoped that I could rid myself of the awful mistakes I’d made and wash my hands clean of the whole business.
Life doesn’t seem to work out the way I expect, though, does it? While I was hoping for a clean break and to move forward unhindered by my recent past, Jem had other ideas. At first, it angered me. After I thought about it, I realized that with a child on the way, I can’t cut him out of my life. Because of this baby, his life and mine will forever be tied.
After I made my announcement, I almost took it back. It was hard to see how heartbroken Jem seemed. What troubled me the most was how he yelled at me and seemed to tower above me. He was shocked, but I was scared.
Not wanting to spend the rest of my life fighting with Jem, I tried to find some common ground in order to make our split as amicable as we could. Once Jem saw there was no way to change my mind, he finally agreed to the divorce.
As is the case with most divorces, there were conditions placed upon us. I didn’t like a lot of what was expected, but in order to compromise, some things were necessary.
To my great embarrassment, I had to crawl to my grandparents and beg them to take their house back. Even though they acted like it was nothing to them, and it probably wasn’t if they’re as loaded as my dad has said, the experience mortified me. Grandpa Xalen agreed to let us out of our agreement and he’s turning it into a rental property so Alger can stay on in the apartment.
I moved back into Perla’s guest cottage for a few weeks and Jem stayed at the house. I wanted nothing to do with it ever again. What had been my family’s legacy was now a bitter pill I had to swallow. I never wanted to see it again and didn’t think I could bear even staying in Sunlit Tides.
My parents wanted me to move back home. That darn pride of mine, however, wouldn’t allow that. Even though my life was in tatters, I wanted to prove to them I could make it on my own. I’d done fine before Jem arrived and I was determined to do well after him.
It was time to move and leave Sunlit Tides behind. I was able to secure a position with Pickett Fence Realty in St. Claire. Above you will see a photo taken across the bridge from St. Claire. I was in Fortress Rock which is nice because it means my parents are only a hop and skip away instead of hundreds of miles.
This is the city of St. Claire which shares a continent with Fortress Rock. It’s less Gothic in appearance than Fortress Rock and in my opinion, the weather is better. There’s a tad less rain and gloominess here.
But I don’t live in the city. My office and life are now in a suburb of St. Clair called Highminster. Something about this small town agreed with me the moment I set foot here. Perhaps my rose colored-glasses will fade in time. It’s only that I was ready for a fresh start and a new life where no one knew me. Well, almost no one but more on that in a minute.
I want to show you my office first. Isn’t it cute? It’s bigger on the inside than it looks from the street and there are four realtors, including me and my boss. I’ll introduce you to my co-worker and new friend Karen in a few.
My workplace is in a convenient location right across the street from where I live. And next door to that is the elementary school. While I don’t intend on living in this location forever, it’s nice to know I’m within walking distance to the school.
There’s my townhouse. The one on the right. Through my connections at work, I snagged this fully furnished rental before it hit the market. It’s disappointing that I can’t change anything too much decor-wise, but at the same time, it’s a blessing I don’t have to.
I now live at number 8B Main St.
Now, to mention one of the conditions of my upcoming divorce. I had to agree to move somewhere Jem could be nearby and involved in his child’s life. He was insistent we move to Fortress Rock since he had no desire to remain in Sunlit Tides either. I dug my heels in as much as I could and in the end, I didn’t have to move to gloomy Fortress Rock, but across the bridge in St. Claire… or the town of Highminster, as it so happens.
What I hadn’t counted on was…
… Jem leasing 8A. I balked at this, of course, and found it reprehensible. I told our attorneys he was trying to control me. Turns out, you can only bargain so far in a divorce.
So, Jem lives next door. To his credit, he’s been unobtrusive and friendly. When we run into each other, we’re cordial. He asks me how I’m feeling, I ask how he’s doing, we talk about the weather and work. That’s about it.
I’ll admit I’m curious about his life and wonder sometimes what he’s up to. It’s difficult to lose your husband and best friend in one fell swoop. My friend Karen calls my interest in Jem a “morbid curiosity” and she claims it’s normal. She’s been divorced before, too, although, she doesn’t have any kids and her ex-husband doesn’t live nearby.
I’m getting bigger by the week and my center of gravity is so off right now. I don’t like the pregnancy waddle or having to pee so often. I also despise not being able to see my feet.
Dr. Grantham in town is my new OBGYN and I am all set to give birth at the hospital when the time comes.
When I’m not working, I spend a lot of time walking. I miss the salty air near the ocean but enjoy this small town living a lot. There are little antique shops, coffee bars, and all manner of town life within walking distance.
Today, I ran into Jem as he was leaving work at The Ruby Cottage Restaurant.
“Bea,” he said when he saw me.
“Hi, Jem.”
If ever there was an awkward moment, this was it.
“How… how are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.”
He licked his lower lip, then said, “I’m glad we ran into each other. I was hoping-well, to talk to you.”
“I don’t want to fight anymore.”
“I don’t either. Please, believe me,” he said.
“Okay,” I said with reluctance. “What is it you want to talk about?”
He took a few steps forward and must have seen my hesitation, so he stopped again where he was. “I hate what happened to us. I wanted to say I’m sorry for my part in it all. I was pushy and railroaded you. And, it wasn’t fair.”
Things had become so nasty between us. Could I believe this apology? I put a hand to my belly, feeling the growing bump there, and realized I had to give him the benefit of the doubt.
“I’m sorry, too, Jem. When I was having doubts about getting married, I should have insisted on thinking things through.”
“I know I didn’t give you much of a chance, Bea. Something… happened to me before I came back to find you in Sunlit Tides. My heart was broken.”
I suppressed a gasp. He’d been dating someone just before he came to see me that night?
“Your dad helped me find someone I could talk to about things. My dad doesn’t know I’m seeing a therapist. He would totally make fun of me. But your dad said when he went through a hard time, counseling really helped him.”
This couldn’t have surprised me more, but I was happy for him. “Yeah, I read that in his journal.”
Jem cleared his throat and changed his weight from one foot to the other, then, he glanced around as if he was afraid someone might hear us. “I still have a lot to work through but I wanted you to know I’m trying. If we can’t be together, uh, married, I at least want to be civil. Maybe someday we can even be friends again.”
“I’d like that.”
For the first time in ages, he flashed that winning smile I remembered. “Me, too.” When I smiled back at him, he said, “Hey, uh, is it all right if I come over tomorrow? Just so I can explain why I acted so… intense when we were together?”
Even though I wanted more than anything to know the answers to the secrets he’d kept, I was uncertain about having him in what I considered my private space. Finally, the need in his eyes to clear the air persuaded me to give him a chance.
“Okay. Is two o’clock okay?”
He grinned even wider and nodded. “Yeah, that’s terrific!”
After I got back home, I tried to take a nap in my cozy, blue room. It was my favorite place in the townhouse because of the relaxing colors and view. The bed was so comfy, it felt like I was sleeping on air.
I was so jacked up about my conversation with Jem, though, a nap was out of the question. For the longest time, I’d wondered why he was in such a hurry to get married. He’d been in a relationship before me and it sounded like it ended in a bad way.
So, I was his rebound? Rebounds never ended well either. Didn’t everyone know that? Why would he do that to me?
I guess I would find out tomorrow.
After changing my clothes, I drifted across the hall to the baby’s room. It didn’t look much like I thought my baby’s room would. I wasn’t allowed to hang anything on the walls, though, that wasn’t already there. I couldn’t paint a different color either.
Mom and Dad had given me my old crib and my friend Karen and I had assembled it.
It may not be decorated for a baby, but it would do.
There was a twin bed in the room that Karen had pushed against the wall so the crib would fit. Sometimes she slept over and this is where she stayed.
Karen is a fellow realtor and as soon as we met, we were fast friends. Other than Perla, I can’t remember a time when I had another woman as a friend so this is new territory for me. It’s been fun, though.
We talk about everything and so I told her about Jem wanting to visit and how he acted today.
“Do you think this is a trick?” I asked her.
“Honey, that’s the first thing Nightmare would do is try to trick me into letting him in my house.”
She referred to her ex-husband as “Nightmare” and from what she’s told me, it’s a fitting nickname.
“I don’t know,” I said, “I mean I’ve known him all my life. The way he acted when he came to Sunlit Tides and we got married was the abnormal part. The way he was today was more like the old Jem I used to know.”
“Well, you told him he could come over so if you need me to wait in the closet with a tire iron, I’m all over it.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of her doing that.
“I don’t think that will be necessary.”
“Nope, you just came out of a bad situation, so this isn’t happening while you’re alone, my friend. Maybe I won’t have a tire iron and maybe I won’t be in the closet, but you better believe I’ll be in your kitchen.”
“Okay, okay,” I laughed.
“Near the knives,” she added.
As always, thank you for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting,
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I find it incredibly sad that Bea had to leave Sunlit Tides and that now she feels this way about her family‘s legacy house. She was so set on living there, and to have the dream of her family’s house go up in smoke like that is just so sad to me.
Ugh, Jem the stalker! What a creep to move in next door to her! I totally cannot wait to hear what he has to say for himself when he supposedly confesses his big secret.
Picket Fence Realty. LOLOL!
Oh man, I like this Karen! She has a wicked sense of humor, and I’m glad Bea found a good friend. I will miss Perla though.
I thought that was sad, too. She really wanted to get the family’s legacy house and make something of it. Now, she feels like it’s all been ruined.
Yes! Right? How creepy is it that Jem moved in next door? Bea is trying to look at the bright side of things, but it’s going to be so awkward.
Yes! Picket Fences Realty. 😀 😀 😀 I’m glad you like that. haha
Karen is a good friend to Bea, and she’ll be there for the long haul. ❤️
Oh Jem… just when I thought you couldn’t get any weirder lmao! That guy… tsk tsk tsk. At least he seems eager to spill the beans now, so that’s something! I can’t believe he used his childhood friend as a rebound though! I’m very curious to learn his whole story..!
And I like Karen! She’s a spitfire, lol! 😁
I can’t wait to read what will happen next! Awesome chapter! 😀 <3
Hahaha! Right? Jem is all kinds of weird right now. LOL His story is coming up next. 😀 I’m glad you like Karen. She is so fun to write! 😀
So like Jem to move in right next door. 🙄 At least he has the opportunity to be a good dad when the baby is born.
Karen is so right that someone else needs to be there and I’m glad she offered! Keep a kitchen knife at the ready! 😛
I really want to know what happened to make Jem act that way but at the same time I suspect it might not be something Bea should hear right now. Can’t he back off a little?!
Yes, that’s looking on the positive side. Hopefully, he will be a good dad and they can get along as a family.
Ready the kitchen knives! haha Karen really seems to be the friend Bea needs right now.
You would think he could back off. He either doesn’t have the common sense to, or he can’t. Hopefully, the meeting will go well and he can retreat into the background of her life.
Near the knives. 😂
An absolutely great closing line to this chaper.😅
LOL Thank you so much. Hopefully, she won’t have to use them! 😂
Jem still has issues with boundaries, I see. In what world is it ok to move in next to your ex? That’s creepy.
It’s a good thing Karen has experience with such things. She strikes me as the type to chase a bad ex out with a baseball bat.
You’re right about Jem. His dad had boundary issues, too, so I guess Jem is a chip off the ol’ block. lol I like what you said about Karen. You couldn’t be more right about her! lolol
Wow, I didn’t realize how far behind on reader I was. 😬
St. Claire looks beautiful! I’m glad Bea is doing better now that she and Jem have split. I hate that the whole ordeal happened, and it would be nice if they could eventually become friends again and co-parent well for the sake of their baby. It’s seriously weird that Jem moved in next door. Obsessed much? I’m not sure what his issue is, but obviously there’s something not right there because Bea keeps mentioning the fact that he scares her a little when he is mad or upset. All I have to say is he better not hurt our girl or that baby! 😤
Karen seems like a good friend. Bea definitely could use one, and she needs someone to be there when Jem comes to visit. He is going to have to work to gain her friendship and trust back to where she doesn’t have to have someone else there when he is. I’m interested in what Jem has to say. Though with his track record I don’t know whether or not what he says will be truthful. 🤔 Guess we will see next week!
I do that a lot where I get behind then have to work to catch up in the reader. lol It’s awesome to see you. 😀
St. Claire is gorgeous! I can’t believe this is the first time I’m playing this world. Bea hates that the whole ordeal happened, too. lol She was hoping to put it behind her when obsessive Jem moved in next door. hahaha Hopefully, when Jem comes over, he tells Bea everything. It would be a start to repairing their fractured relationship if she knew the whole truth.
You’re so right about Bea needing a good friend and Karen fits the bill. lol She will be waiting to pounce if anything goes south! 😀
Jem wouldn’t scare me that way, but I’d be annoyed he was so close by. I have a hard time with claustrophobic relationships and… I’d rather be the visitor than the visitee, because it’s easier to leave than to force someone to leave. Well, we’ll see, won’t we?
I love how you put that: claustrophobic relationships. I would have a hard time with that, too. And I think that’s another good point you bring up. I would much rather be the visitor than the visitee, too. Hopefully, it all goes okay.
Good chapter, although it ended too soon!!! (don’t they all??) I’m wondering if there might be a guy-love in Jem’s past, too. Perhaps that is what broke his heart and he ran to Bea for all the wrong reasons. I also agree that having him next door can be a good thing for their child. Having your parents being friends is never a bad thing, and can make everyone’s lives much easier. Looking forward to next week!! ♥
Thank you, Marj. I think you’re right about what’s good for the child, and that’s really what matters most here. Whether Bea and Jem are uncomfortable with each other for the rest of their lives is irrelevant now. Hopefully, they can be friends for real again, but perhaps not. Time will tell, as they say. I like your theory about Jem’s past. hehe You’ll know in the next chapter. 😀
Alright! My possessive bro, Jem isn’t letting his quarry get too far away. I especially like the contrast between the great new start Bea has versus the shadow of Jem testing her nerves. I think there is a lot of reality in Bea’s feelings about her experience with Jem. He isnt the total boogie man and a lot of his actions, though not comfortable for Bea, are not unusual for a young man trying to sort himself out and be the Alpha in the relationship. We get it wrong more than we ever get it right. Bea’s diary is instructional to those who find thenselves in similar situations so I see a lot of wisdom under the surface. And of course, you got me hanging by my fingernails on the big talk, with Karen in the kitchen amongst some wicked sharp kitchen knives. I do hope Karen doesn’t have to carve up Jem before he explains himself. Great chapter, Kymber!
LOL Thank you. And you know Karen will, too, if she has to! 😂 Okay, jokes aside, I like what you said about Jem and relationships in general. We all kind of flounder and fumble our ways through life and I agree that he’s not the total boogieman. Bea is also responsible for the situation she’s in and so, it’s good she has her diary to sort this out.
As for the big talk, hopefully, that will be satisfying and not a letdown. 😂
Actually, I think there might be a touching moment ahead that might even make a few eyes water with empathy for their rough start. I din’t have a clue but I’m all in to find out. 😊
Aww… You just might be right about that. 🙂
I hope so. 😁. But, no matter what, it’s going to be good to finally learn what made Jem go weird on himself.
Right? Could I drag this out any further? 😂😂 Once I see a mob with pitchforks, I know it’s time to get the show on the road. 😀
Waa haa haaaa! The suspense has my eyes crossed and I’ve chewed up three of the four sofa pillows and the erasers of two pencils. I love a good cliff hanger.
LOLOL Try not to eat anything else that isn’t food. 😂😂 I owe another reader hair dye because she says I’m the reason her hair is gray now. I can’t afford pillows, pencil erasers, and hospital bills on top of it. 😂
You are the smart one in this group. None of those things I mentioned are listed in the essential food groups. 😂
You don’t say? 😂
Ha ha ha! I never doubt that some day they will be on the list.
LOL! 😀 I think you should stick to donuts.
Whoa! You know, I hadn’t thought of that. From now on, when I get anxious about a story, I’m going for the donuts. 😜🍩🍩🍩
LOLOLOL Back in high school whenever I was upset and woud tell one of my friends, she would say, “Here, have an Oreo.” LOL
Ahh, the intrepid Oreo. That was sound medical treatment. Your friend was certainly a nutritionally astute person when it comes to treating teen angst. I don’t think one can appreciate the value of an Oreo too much. I was constantly running wild in the pine forests of Mississippi as a teen. Mentally, I was naked, stripped bare of any common sense, but was missing the afraid part. That was the genesis of a lot of adventure. Oreos were my chief source of biofuel and when I soaked them in milk they became jetfuel. Whenever I see a package of Oreos ignored and alone, I give them a lot of love and a glass of milk. Mmmmmm 😋
LOL 😂 Ah, yes, jet fuel, for sure. 😀 I can’t imagine a package of Oreos ignored and alone. Who could do such a thing? Where is the outrage? The humanity? 😀
Exactly. Those other types leave me baffled. But hey, their loss is my gain. I got the Oreos and I know how to use them. Muwaaa haa haaa! 🙂
😂😂😂 That made me laugh so hard! Snort laugh, you know?
Waaa haaa haaa! I just love a good snort laugh. I’m glad you can experience that too.
Oh, yes, it’s the best! 😂
I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to learn snort laughing adds years to one’s life and is great for lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol. We should do it more often.
I couldn’t agree more. There’s got to be a study on it somewhere. 😀
Karen is such a good friend. I totally agree with her that Bea and Jem shouldn’t be alone yet – after the way he acted, I’m not sure I trust him. Too many men snap like he almost did, just because they don’t have a healthy wya to deal with emotion. Still, the therapist will be helping him with that.
I had a bad feeling about the girl ever since Jem’s character question post. I thought it was going to be something like this. It just fit with his personality so well…
Jem’s character question post raised a lot of red flags, I’m sure. Too bad Bea wasn’t privy to that information ahead of time. I can say, he really is seeing a therapist at Holden’s urging. Let’s hope that continues to be a good thing for him since he now lives next door.
Karen is the type of friend Bea’s never had because she was always hanging with Jem growing up. Since they have similar pasts with marriage, I think their friendship will be a really great thing for the both of them. 😀
Lovely update and what a sweet town! Seriously Michigan …
Yes! That’s what I thought about it, too. It looks like small town living in Michigan. 😀 It looks like where I live, actually.
Near my sister too <3 … nostalgia rushed over me seeing it
Michigan has some lovely little towns. I think, like you, I would miss that about MI, too, if I moved away. Hopefully, it won’t be long before you can visit again.
I visited every August … I adore where I live but it is good to touch my feet on old home soil
I know what you mean. And I’m glad you can get back here so often. 🙂
Me too <3
❤❤
I like how you ended this section with our expectations up ! Mean, but cool – keep the reader wanting more!
Thank you, Susan. 🙂 Cliffhangers are such a pain, aren’t they? LOL Hopefully, the answers Jem gives will be satisfying enough, no one will mind having had to wait. 😂
Yes Karen! You and Bea look out for each other. She seems like a very valuable friend for Bea to have right now. I wonder what tale Jem will come up with to explain his behavior and whether it will be the whole truth.
That’s right! 😀 I think Karen has gone through some stuff and is going to be the friend Bea needs. Jem’s tale is coming right up but that’s a good question about whether it will b the whole story or not.
never seen this town before St. Claire… the town looks beautiful and the you took pictures are awesome 🙂 great chapter Kymber, looking forward to see where you go with this next week
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. This is my first time in St. Claire and it’s stunningly beautiful with no lag. I can’t wait for you to see the next chapter. Thank you again!
I have so many things to say and ask, but I will keep it to a few for now. I’m super interested to find out all the deets on what happened and I’m really happy she has made a new friend to support her in all of this. Someday it would be great if they could be friends for the sake of the child. My parents were and it made my life so good. So I’m actually happy he is so close by. Question: did you make that store front with the computer just inside and the house for sale sign on the front? Well done if you did. I love St.Claire and I keep saying I will play it, but never get around to doing so. I shall miss Perla! I think she was good for Bea as that voice of reason every young person needs. I’m going to stop here, or I will write an essay!
Yesssss, I must get into Karen’s past, don’t you think? She does have what I think is an interesting backstory. I think it’s good for both her and Bea to be friends.
I think that’s a good point you make about being friends with your ex. It’s always better for the child. I wish more parents would heed that bit of advice.
With the storefront, it was already there, presented that way and really is right across the street from Bea’s house. I thought it was an especially lucky find.
St. Claire is a world I’d never played before but I’m really loving it. It’s beautiful!
I’ll miss Perla, too, tbh. I’m thinking a side-post is in order to check in on her and Numnber 7. 😂
She’s got a good friend! I’m happy about that.
Thank you. 😀 That’s the good part about the arrangement so far. lol
I hate the fact that Jem is so close to Bea. Why can’t they just live miles away from one another like Chrissy and Leo? Get the hell out, you crazy guy! I wonder what happened that Karen calls her ex-husband “Nightmare”. Did he abuse her? I hope not but he seems really bad judging from the nickname. I like her how her house is so old-fashioned but still quite stylish. And I really, really am curious of what Jem has to say, ever since his get to know tag, in fact.
It’s awkward, to say the least, having Jem so close. Ah, Chrissy and Leo. LOLOL Remember how hard she tried to get all she could out of him until Leela put a stop to it? 😂 Next week, you finally know Jem’s story… the good, the bad, and the ugly. lol That’s a good question about Karen and we’ll delve into that in the near future, too. At least she doesn’t have kids with her ex which would make things even worse. I’m glad you like Bea’s house. She really doesn’t care about material things and decorating, so I had to give her something that was already done. LOL
Bea should totally take Karen up on her offer – tire iron and all! I don’t trust Jem! Moving NEXT DOOR! He’s cray-cray!
LOL!! 😂😂 I pretty much agree with you on your assessment. Bea wants to give him the benefit of the doubt for the baby’s sake, but she needs to maintain her safety, too.
There are just like… red flashing lights going off over my head with Jem moving in next door. Like, seriously, dude? Could you get anymore intense. And with him being in a bad relationship right before this trainwreck of a marriage, he’s even less in my favour than usual. And let me just say: Not a fan of Jem so far. Glad Bea has Karen at least and she’s totally right – she shouldn’t have her ex-husband over so soon without someone there. Especially considering how scary he got when Holden had to interfere…
I can’t believe you’re mean enough to cut off before the visit, though. I mean come on, Kym, I’ll be waiting all week for more. 😛 *Sigh* writers!
Anyway, this was great! I love those shots of St. Claire.
Oh, my goodness, St. Claire is so gorgeous, I can’t believe I’ve never played this world before.
I can totally understand the red flashing lights going off about Jem and where he lives. I think his middle name is “Intense.” lol But I can see why he’s fallen really far out of favor. lol Let’s hope he’s on the up and up regarding his intentions and that Bea isn’t making a huge mistake, allowing him into her home and into her life. It’s good Bea has Karen as a friend. I wouldn’t want Bea to be alone either when Jem visits.
Sooooo sorry about the cliffhanger. 😂
Ha, ha, I forgive you for the cliffhanger, so long as I get all that juicy, juicy drama next week. 😉
LOLOL Oh, you already know it will be full of that. haha
Pickett Fence Realty! LOL I’m glad she’ll be near her parents. She may not think of it this way, but that’s a nice compromise between them wanting her home and her wanting to be independent.
UGH!!! Jem is her neighbor?! This girl can’t catch a break! LOL
A rebound?! Goodness! How much worse will it get?
I like this Karen. 😀
I CANNOT wait to hear Jem’s tale!! What a treat that will be on my birthday! 🙂
Yes! I forgot that it will happen on your birthday. 😀 I had trouble coming up with a realty business name, can you tell? hahaha I think the way you put it the situation is really good – a compromise that allows her to be near family, yet independent, too.
Jem is like a bad penny…… LOLOLOL
It can get a lot worse, if you’re asking. 😂😂
I’m glad you like Karen. I think she’ll be a positive influence on our girl.
A seriously bad penny! Sheesh!
😂😂😂😂 Right?