Chance?

Sarah can be so mature sometimes, it makes me proud. They were my only reason of living, to wake up every day. Her words gave me a new perspective - I can live. I am a human being, I have needs. But may be he is also like my husband. My children deserves freedom from this cage. I don't know if I ll give another chance to any other man but I was sure of one thing - I am going to be free from this so called marriage. I don't know how I ll manage but till now we were alone, I was raising them single handedly. That drunkard bastard just gave his genes, nothing more. I know there is a divine form which ll hold me and guide me. With a belief in myself and a decision I slept that night. Next day I approached Alicia my next neighbor as her husband is a lawyer. I told her everything, she told me that she already some things and she ll talk to her husband and let me know. Next day she called me and invited me over. I went and met her husband Duke and told him everything. I told him that I wanted a divorce. He told me about all the possibilities and the legality. I gave my yes and came back home. That night I told Sarah and Dew my decision. dew didn't understand much but Sarah was very happy. She told me that I was doing the right thing. Duke brought me some papers and I tried to pay him but he refused. He told me about all the formalities. He had sent the notice and papers to my so called husband, who accepted it in his drunkard state. A date was set, and because of his state the court granted me divorce and custody. This house is also going to be mine. I sent his belongings at his business shed. And finally I was free, it was a weird feeling. Not to be scared, not to be dragging a relationship, not to be in bondages. I did it and I am happy. I couldn't think that I would have done this but that strength helped me. My children helped me. Sarah was so strong her love helped me. Dew' s growing up helped me. And I did it. I am a single and happy mother. I can raise my children alone,I knew it's going to be tough but I ll take the chances. First I got busy in completing all the formalities as according to court the children ll get some allowance from their father which was good for their future. I decided to use it wisely. I looked into all the possibilities, and decided to work full time from home. I again advertised at a large level so that now I can make it into a flourishing business. I decided to work hard on my blog so I started searching new recipes and started making notes. First few weeks were tough as I never had this much freedom in my life. But as was my motto- chances. I ll give myself a chance at everything. With the last order savings I decided to enroll myself in a professional course. The timings were from 10-4 but it ll help me in my future endeavours. I had never left my children alone so I requested Amy to be their nanny after school. She agreed on hour basis. So I joined the course. In the beginning it was all very new,and of another level.I didn't know that there were so many flavours for cakes or cupcakes, the designing equipments were mind boggling. They had everything of the top quality. My teacher who was a pastry chef in a two star hotel taught us new techniques, gave us some tips , taught us new recipes from the scrap. She was very patient and I was thankful for it. The course was of 15 days. Those days were very hectic for me as after waking up at 6 a.m I had to prepare breakfast and lunch together. Had to clean the house,sometimes had to rush to market to buy bread,butter or any other grocery or children's school supplies. But after those days I could say that I can manage everything now as it gave me a different level of assurance. After the course I started taking orders. Sometimes it would be of a cake or some cupcakes for an event. Sometimes of just house parties but it was enough for us. Sarah were having some difficulty with her studies as new subjects were very hard. We both decided to try new techniques from the internet and I started making notes for her so that she can grasp the subject easily. That one month was tough for her but she got it finally and it helped that her last teacher retired. The new one had different method of teaching and Sarah could now easily understand the concept. Dew were having some grown up pains because of his football practice. I decided to give him calcium supplements. It helped him but he was becoming more outward unlike Sarah. He now had his group of friends in neighborhood. They all did everything together. Both were busy in their own lives. That evening I got a call from Andrew after a very long time.

"Hi Hailey!"

"How are you and how are the children?"

Hello Andrew! I am good and the children are good and are obviously growing up very fast.

" Oh then that must be keeping you very busy. How is baking going on? I saw the advertisement in paper and that was a very good plan. I am very happy for you."

I have started taking more orders and also did a professional course and it gave me a new confidence. Thanks for your help in the beginning, your faith in me instilled a new hope in me.

" Then that's good, I wanted to ask you about something. Actually my cousin is having her son's bday party and she wanted some goodies, so I suggested her your name. It ll be a huge order as we have a big family and we celebrate every occasion together. My cousin Ally is quite a charmer so you ll not have any problem with her."

Oh okay, thanku so much for the recommendation. It ll be a great help as I am raising the children alone now.

" What do you mean alone? Last you told me you were married and had a husband. What about him? Is he okay?"

ammm !! Andrew - I got divorced as he was an alcoholic bastard. Finally I found the courage to get separate for my children's future.

" Are you okay ? If you need any help do let me know. I am suggesting it as a friend. I hope we can be good friends as whenever I talk to you, I never feel that we don't know each other. It's like I am talking to an old friend. And I am sorry that you suffered so much. I know from the personal experience that drunkards can make your life hell. My father was a drunkard and my mother had to suffer a lot. I can understand your state".

OH Andrew I didn't realise that you have gone through the same hell. Sometimes life gives us second chances and I got my mine. Quite truthfully I am thankful to that divine as now I have a real life with a purpose to live. I am sorry for your mother as I can understand her dilemma. so are you a single child?

" No I have a younger sister, she is happily married with two kinds unlike me. After my father died my only passion was this company. I worked hard and built this company."

So Ally is your maternal sister or paternal?

" I don't have a family from paternal side, ally is my aunt's daughter. My maternal family is close to each other. That's the reason my mother could go through that marriage. They people were always there for us and I am really grateful to God for that"

Oh that's good!! I am not close to my parents,and I am a single child of my parents. I always needed a sibling.

" Thankfully your children have each other. They can be constant support for each other as I have my support in my sister. I know this is really awkward but would you like to go for a dinner with me. It's not a compulsion, it's an invitation for a dinner with a friend - nothing more."

I reminded myself -" Chance" and I told him that I would love to go for the dinner. We decided the day and time. after putting down the phone I realised that with Andrew I never felt any awkwardness or any fear. Otherwise with any other male there is always a feeling of fear and space. But with Andrew it was like talking to a long lost friend.I never feel any apprehension while talking to him, it's like I can talk about anything to him.

After Sarah came from school I told her about the conversation and she was happy for me. she asked me what would I wear for the dinner. We debated and finally decided for a turquoise top and a floor length skirt with my usual flats.

Next day I got a call from ally and after introducing herself she invited me to meet her the next day at her house. I agreed and we decided the time. Next day I reached her house, frankly it was more of a mansion than a house. She personally received me and hugged me which made me at ease instantly. She was very friendly and nice, she told me that Andrew praised me a lot so she wanted to meet me first. She told me about the party and the theme ,then she told me about the guests and her requirements. While she was speaking I took down the details. She offered me refreshment and asked me if I have any children. I told her about Sarah and dew, and she was happy that now I ll understand her more like a mother which was true. Then she introduced me to her husband who was also very polite. I was amazed that how can so rich people be so down to earth. I left them after 2 hours after meeting their boy.