Her emotions boiling, Laurel ran to the truck. She felt as if her heart had been ripped out. Sobs came in deep gulps. She started the engine, and pushing hard on the gas pedal, spun the tires as she backed up and headed out of the driveway. She caught a brief glimpse of Adam standing on the porch.
How could he? How could he? “I hate you!” She sobbed. “I love you.” She quickly pushed through the gears and sped down the bumpy road.
Without making a conscious decision, she drove to Celeste's. She would understand. She would help. “Please, God, help me. I can't bear this.” She wept, barely able to see through her tears.
Filled with pain and fury, Laurel skidded to a stop, then stepped out, slammed the door closed and stormed to Celeste's front door. She rapped hard, then walked in without waiting for an answer.
When Laurel stepped in, Celeste was getting up from a chair. “What's wrong? Laurel?” She walked to her friend. “Something's wrong.”
Laurel couldn't hold her anguish in. She pitched into Celeste's arms and cried.
“What's happened? Is it William? Please. Tell me.”
“No. It's not William,” Laurel said, straightening and dabbing at her nose. “It's Adam. He...he was unfaithful.” Fresh tears filled her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks.
“Are you sure? He would never—”
“He did. He told me himself. When he was in France, he met a woman.” More tears swamped her. “I can't believe it. I never thought…”
Celeste grabbed a clean handkerchief from a pile of folded clothing. “Here. Now sit on the sofa, and I'll make us both a cup of tea.”
Laurel let the story spill out, then sat sniffling into the handkerchief. “What should I do?”
“You don't know?”
Laurel shook her head no.
“You'll be angry for a while, then you'll forgive him and go on with your lives. That's what you'll do. You couldn't possibly consider a divorce.”
Laurel's thought processes hadn't gone that far. The word divorce sounded like a shotgun going off in her head. “But how can I forgive him?”
“What else can you do?” Celeste sat beside Laurel. “You have to consider the circumstances. Being in a war isn't like everyday life. I can't even imagine how awful it must be. And Adam wasn't exactly unfaithful. He just cared about that woman and her little boy. He was in a country far from his home, and he needed a friend.”
“That's what you'd call her—a friend?”
“Well, maybe not exactly a friend, but mostly that's all they were. He didn't love her, and he told you he loves you. Right?”
“Yes. But he said he thought that maybe he loved her.”
“And he said he never stopped loving you. Laurel, everything will be all right.” Celeste smiled.
Laurel shook her head. “Things can never be the same.”
“Not right away, but one day they will be. Do you think that loving someone and being married to someone is always perfect and unspoiled? Love involves people, and people aren't perfect.”
“Yes, but—”
“You have to forgive him.”
“I don't know how.”
Celeste thought a moment. “You start with prayer. God will help you. Be thankful Adam is safe. What if he was still missing, like Luke? Just thank the Lord he's alive and here.” She glanced at the window. “I wish Robert didn't have to go back. Just be thankful Adam doesn't have to return.”
Laurel knew Celeste was right, but she felt so betrayed. How could she forget?
“Adam didn't do anything, not really. He got a little attached to a woman and kissed her in the midst of horrible circumstances. He loves you. That hasn't changed. Go to him. Love him. I know you two can work it out.”
Laurel took a deep shuddering breath. “I don't think I can.” She chewed a nail. “I'm not ready yet. I don't want to forgive him. He doesn't deserve it.”
“Don't let the sun go down on your anger. That's what the Bible says.”
Laurel couldn't believe Celeste was being so glib about this. “I don't think that verse was about infidelity,” she nearly yelled.
“Maybe not, but what else are you going to do?”
“I told him I never wanted to see him again.”
Celeste smiled. “I don't think he believed that. Do you?”
Laurel shrugged. “I don't know. I thought I meant it at the time.”
“Get! Go on, get!” someone shouted from outside.
“Who's that?”
“Robert,” Celeste said. “What's going on?” She walked to the door and peered out. “Robert? Is everything all right?”
