Read Online Second Time Around by Darrin Lowery - Free Book Online Page B

before life happened. Although her husband seemed like an abrasive man, Mrs. Underwood smiled when she spoke about him. She smiled as she reflected about their life; their love.
    She went on to tell Korie how Mr. Underwood was the star running back at Harper High School back in the day, and how she was the head cheerleader. After high school she went to college for maybe a year. Then she became pregnant, and then she lost the baby. Back then they had seen many hard times.
    He went on to work at Henderson Steel. He made good money for years, and then the economy began to decline. With that decline came layoffs. Since then, Mr. Underwood had worked temporary jobs, janitorial jobs, and anything that he could do with his hands. He was seldom without work, but it seemed that each time that he got settled somewhere, the company out-sourced the labor. Life for the Underwoods always seemed to be uphill.
    Mrs. Underwood loved her husband unconditionally. She too had trouble finding permanent work. Since high school she had been temping for the same company. She brought in decent money as an administrative assistant, but like forty-six percent of Americans she had no health insurance and few employment benefits.
    For years Mr. and Mrs. Underwood struggled. Neither had ever been out of Chicago in their life. They had never taken a vacation together. Like many other couples they had their problems, but they never took life out on one another. They never went to bed angry, no matter what they were up against. They loved each other and they always had one another’s back.
    She explained that her husband could be an ass at times. She knew that he wasn’t without his faults. She also knew his heart and knew that the love he had for her had no bounds.
    When he hit the lottery, the first thing he did was find out how much they were getting after taxes. He then split that fifty-fifty, no questions asked. Mrs. Underwood was more that his wife; she was his partner and without her, Mr. Underwood confessed he was nothing.
    Mr. Underwood felt like less than a man all those years that they struggled. He was a man who was tired of just getting by.
    Mrs. Underwood explained that the day they won the lottery, it was a great day for her husband. It was if he won more than the money that day. It was as if he won his manhood back. When they were younger, he always promised that he would buy her the biggest house in the world. When he closed on this house, he felt as if he fulfilled that promise; as if he redeemed himself.
    â€œSo you see, Ms. Dillon, losing this house is not only a loss because it’s so beautiful, but I don’t know if my husband’s pride can handle a blow like that.”
    â€œI hear you, Mrs. Underwood, but—”
    â€œPlease, call me Shaniqua.”
    â€œWell, Shaniqua, if he loves you, he will get your family out of this house. As long as you stay by his side, I’m sure he’ll be okay. He may be hurt, but eventually he’ll get over it. You all need to talk. I’m sure Jayna will be able to point you in the right direction.”
    Just then, Jayna got off the phone, all smiles. She headed toward the two women with a look of determination.
    â€œMrs. Underwood, I’d like to sit down and have another talk with your husband.” Jayna walked pass Mrs. Underwood and headed back in the direction of the house as if she were about to do battle with Mr. Underwood.
    â€œI don’t know if he’ll listen to you.” Mrs. Underwood spoke in Jayna’s direction as she headed up the walkway.
    â€œOh, he’ll listen. I think I might have already found a buyer for your home.”
    Jayna stopped at the entrance to the house. She looked back at Mrs. Underwood and ushered her back toward the house.
    Korie looked at her watch and then headed back to her car.
    â€œKorie are you coming?” Jayna yelled.
    â€œI can’t. I need to be heading to my next appointment.” Korie