She's Gone

Part 3

Donnie's POV:

Working for the village is no small task but someone has to do it. Not everyone is willing to do the upkeep of this village. That includes keeping up the village graveyard, not something I particularly enjoy but hey, it's a job and I've been doing it for several years. At one time it was enough to support my ex wife and our kids. We were once a happy family living just outside the village until I caught my ex wife sneaking her now husband, out of the window when I came home from work early. I'll never forget the look on my daughter, Samantha's face when I packed my things and left. that look of pure sadness shattered my heart more than finding out the love of my life was having yet, another affair. I often overlooked her affairs more than I should have. Hell, I even took in my son when the DNA results showed he wasn't mine, and raised her three older daughters, because I loved her. Regardless of what that paper said, those are my kids...

My kids..

Donnie looked up and scanned the area as he finished mowing around the headstones of those that had passed to check his work. His mind constantly wondering back to his kids and the heartache from his ex wife. He wiped off the sweat accumulating on his forehead, leaving a streak of dirt from his white hair down to his poorly kept beard. Grabbing his gear he turned to walk towards his work truck as he sees a familiar van pull into the entrance of the graveyard.

He placed most of the gear in the back of his truck, and stretched his sore arms while he waits for the van to park. Being 5'9, 190lbs and stocky, he usually wasn't very sore doing this type of work.

As the van parked behind him, his mother got out and walked towards him with a soft determined look to her. He chucked to himself as he watched her approach. She was highly respected in the community and had a strict way of doing things. I almost feel like I'm in trouble.

"How's it going ma-

"Donnie, Nancy called me." uh-oh that's not good, Nancy is my ex wife's mother....My kids grandmother. those two women are hotheads of their own and usually end up bickering.

"Oh no, Ma. Please tell me you hens didn't start arguing again?" I half chuckle and I scratch the back of my head. "You know Colleen won't let me take the kids again if you make her mother mad.--

"Donnie" she cuts me off impatiently. "Something happened to Colleen."

Worry grips me as endless thoughts rush through my head. I open my mouth to speak but no words come out.

"Nancy believes that Colleen committed suicide. You need to go get Sammie and Morgan." she paused. "They can stay with us. Go get my grandbabies."

She didn't get a chance to say anything else before he rushed to his truck, exited the graveyard and sped down the dirt road.

My mind in whirlwind and I don't even know how I feel. Sad?.... Anger?.... Hurt?..... relief?

I mean, I knew she was getting depressed because I was kicking up a fuss with the court for her allowing Jay to treat my children horribly. I fought so much with friend of the court, trying to gain custody of them, just for them to ignore my pleas and tell me to mind my own business. Ultimately, Jay was the reason they went into foster care to begin with.

It took years of hard work to get the kids placed back home, just for her to return to him with open arms. I hoped this would be a short lived and she would divorce that sorry excuse for a man. I honestly had hope we'd come back together.... hope... the thought made Donnie's heart ache as he let a few silent tears go.

memories and thoughts flooded into his mind.

FLASHBACK:

Donnie closes the door behind him and starts walking towards his usual spot at the bar when something caught his eye. It was unusual for the bar to have more than one or two people in it during this time of day. He runs his hand through his hair and scans the room. Sitting two seats down from his normal place was a woman. She was sitting on a barstool, leaned against bar, in the local bar her mother owned, moving the bottle of beer in small circular motions. Her brown hair, pulled into a bun, and wearing a blue and black flannel and jeans that was torn at the knees. a perfect look for this small town. She was absolutely beautiful. Taking a seat next to her, we began to chat about everything. the way she smiled, it knocked the air out of his lungs and his heart skipped a beat. he knew she was the one.

FLASHFORWARD A YEAR:

"Donnie..." she says. Her voice filled with excitement as she called for him. "Donnie!" she yells again.

Donnie gets up and makes his way to the bathroom, where his beautiful wife calls for him.

Just before he is about to knock on the bathroom door, his wife, Colleen runs out in excitement.

"I can't believe it," she says as she bounces and looks at her husband. "I'm pregnant," she practically shouts as she holds up a positive pregnancy test.

He looks at her in astonishment and admiration. "I'm going to be a dad," he says as he feels the tears swelling in his eyes. He wraps his arms around his wife and holds her.

I can't believe it, he thinks to himself.

I'm the luckiest man on earth.....

FLASHFORWARD ANOTHER YEAR:

The cool winter breeze hits his face as he walks towards the village center where he works. It's a short walk from the house but the cold snow and wind, makes it feel like it's a mile walk. Soon he approaches the main door of the village center, grabs the door knob and stops.

I never thought this would happen, he thinks to himself as he takes a deep breath, enters the center and is greeted by Shirley, his mother and the village secretary.

She's sitting behind her desk going through paperwork when she looks up and smiles.

"Morning Donnie," she says.

He walks over and takes a seat in the chair Infront of her desk.

"Mom, I have to talk to you," he was barley able to say. The pain and heartbreak visible on his face.

"Ok," she replies as she sets her paperwork down and looks at him. indicating he has her full attention.

Donnie looks down, fidgets with his hands for a few seconds before looking up and making eye contact with his mother.

"Colleen and I are getting a divorce." he says as he looks away.

"What....Why...."Shirley starts to question but is cut off.

"It's what she wants. Says she isnt happy anymore. She took the kids and left," he sighed. He lifted his hand and placed his wedding band on her desk. "I thought I would give this back." he added as he stood up.

The wedding band was his father's. His mother gave it to him the day he when he told her he proposed to Colleen.

Shirley sat there in silence, not sure what to say. This was a shock. He then nodded, and left. he headed towards the bar... He needed a drink.

Little did he know, that she would have a repeating pattern of returning and leaving. Up until he finally walked away for the final time.

END OF FLASH BACK: