An Unforeseen Turn of Events

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Christine Goldberg's heels clicked on the cement pavement as she hurried to her Honda Accord. Her new briefcase was a bit bigger and more stylish than the old one. She did not want to admit it, even to herself, that it was getting too heavy to carry. Watching her struggle as she left the house this morning, her husband Daniel gently suggested she buy a bag on wheels. Christine put one hand on her hip and with eyes narrowed and her mouth slightly open, she said, "You're making me feel old and weak."

"I'm just thinking it would make your life easier," said Daniel. He was grinning but held up his palms in a show of innocence.

Christine held back a grin as she shook her head and wagged her forefinger.

That was Christine. Proud and stubborn. No one was going to tell her what to do to make her life easier.

"Bye, Mom."

"See you later, Mom."

Tim and Trudy, their seventeen-year-old twins, followed her out the door with their backpacks strapped to their backs. They waved as they walked to their bus stop.

"Have a good day, kids! Love you," Christine called after them.

"Bye. Tell me if you need help with that calculus, Tim," Daniel called from the door, coffee mug in hand.

"Will do, Dad," Tim said before they crossed the street.

As her children stood at a distance waiting with the other high schoolers for their bus, Christine eased her way into her car to go to her job in downtown Boston. She relaxed her shoulders as she watched her husband wave and even blow her a discreet kiss. She winked and waved at him as she backed out her car. Her husband was a sweetheart and she was lucky to have him. Christine reflected that she was not the luckiest in many areas of her life: she was never able to graduate college, her modeling career never took off, and she realized she would never rise higher than being the modeling agency's main representative. She was good at what she did but not exceptional enough to move further up.

On her way out of the neighborhood, she spotted the retired man, widely known as "the gardener," planting more flowers on his front lawn. Even though he was all wrinkled and stooped over, the big floppy hat he wore every day made him endearing. People who drove on the street would frequently admire the former engineer's garden. If he were outside on a nice day, the gardener would often receive compliments and questioned about his gardening techniques, which he gladly offered with a proud, wide smile. Christine attempted to wave, but he was too busy tending his flowers.

Brighton, a section of Boston that felt more suburban than other parts of the city, was home to mostly middle-class people in their 30's and 40's. They were upwardly mobile yet still struggled to pay their bills. No wonder: Boston was one of the most expensive cities to live in the country. Famously known as a college town, many students rented in the two-family homes and apartments in the area.

Middle-class Brighton was in close proximity to the wealthier, upper-class neighborhoods of Chestnut Hill and Newton. Christine would look longingly at those sprawling homes and sigh. Why couldn't we be wealthy and living in one of those homes? Daniel would be able to take time off work without all those worries and we wouldn't have to fret over finances like the twins' college. It's so unfair. But she and her husband were barely able to afford their small home with an outdated kitchen and a tiny yard in Brighton.

Christine forced herself to smile. Her husband was vice-president of a start-up marketing company and she was proud his bosses quickly noticed the improvements he had implemented in attracting new clients.

Daniel. At a red light, she closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. His tests at the doctor's would show there was nothing seriously wrong. She kept repeating that to herself. Her loving, supportive husband was going to check out fine. He adopted her twins when they were only three years old and has been a loving father ever since.

Tim loved basketball and history was his favorite subject. Trudy was head cheerleader, did well in all her subjects at school, and had a wide circle of friends. What more could she ask for? She and Daniel saved money through the years in a 508 Plan so they could afford to send the twins to Boston College next year. They would live at home—the commute was only twenty minutes at most from the campus. The kids would be able to enjoy all the benefits of campus life at a prestigious university that presented many opportunities and connections.

The Boston traffic interrupted her thoughts. Christine would have to fully concentrate as she navigated her way into the congested city filled with cars, trolleys, buses, and pedestrians. Her shoulder-length blond hair bounced as she checked both sides of the road. At forty years old, she maintained her slim figure by working out during her lunch break. Christine's blue-green eyes were still striking enough to turn the heads of men of all ages. And her winning smile gave her a warm glow that instantly made others feel comfortable and accepted.

As Christine parked her car in the parking garage of the modeling agency, her mind reflected on happy memories of her family taking trolley rides to downtown Boston and visiting museums, attending plays and festivals, and dining in their favorite restaurants on the North End and Chinatown.

A solid family life.

Daniel was going to check out just fine at the doctor's today. She ignored the nervous pains in her stomach that attempted to refute her struggling optimism.

They would grow old together and enjoy many more happy memories.