Amy and Scott Schaffer believe they have the perfect life. A happy marriage, a healthy infant son, and no cause for complaints. But when Amy runs into Jesse Castellano, an old friend from her childhood, everything changes. Jesse's obsession with his old friend will shatter their seemingly perfect world forever, and there's nothing anyone can do to stop it.

The Last Goodbye

By Rebecca L. Masker

Trafford Publishing

Copyright © 2012 Rebecca L. Masker
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4669-4892-1

Chapter One

March 2012

It all started on a Monday, the most innocuous of days. Amy woke that morning to the sound of birds chirping incessantly outside the window of the bedroom she shared with her husband. Sunshine streamed through the partially open curtains and Amy heard Scott groan and grumble in his sleep, yanking a pillow over his head. Her husband was definitely not a morning person.

Amy stretched luxuriously in bed, groaning in relief when she heard her spine crackle. She crawled out from beneath the covers and went to the window, closing the curtains to block some of the sunlight so Scott wouldn't be disturbed. He could sleep for another two hours before getting up for work.

Amy crept quietly to the room where their son still slept peacefully in his crib. Amy peeked down at him, unable to stop the smile that spread across her face when she saw her little boy sound asleep. She was perfectly convinced that Nolan was the most perfect baby in the world and nothing would ever sway that opinion.

Confident that the baby would stay asleep for a little while longer Amy slipped back into the master bedroom and then into the bathroom. Closing the bathroom door behind her Amy pulled off the long T-shirt she slept in and stepped out of her panties before turning the shower on. As usual it took a few minutes for the water to heat. That was only one of many downfalls that came with living in an old house.

When the water was finally hot enough Amy stepped into the tub, angling her face towards the spray and letting the warm water wash over her, making her feel wide awake and refreshed. Using a sponge she quickly soaped her skin and then rinsed. She washed and rinsed her hair before adding a leave in conditioner.

By the time she was finished the water had begun to cool a little bit and Amy shivered as she turned the water off. Wrapping a towel around herself she stepped out of the tub and went to the sink. Reaching for her blow dryer she plugged it in and turned it on low, drying her hair in quick, practiced moves.

When her hair was dry she reached for a bottle of moisturizing lotion, squeezed a small amount into her hand, and applied it to her arms, legs, neck and chest. Turning off the bathroom light Amy slipped quietly back into the bedroom. Scott was still out like a light. He had rolled over so he was half on his side of the bed and half on hers, his arms wrapped around one of her pillows.

Smiling softly Amy went to the dresser and pulled out panties and a bra. She closed the drawer quietly then went to the closet to find something to wear. Removing the towel she'd wrapped around herself Amy dropped it into the dirty laundry basket. She dressed quickly in faded jeans and a short sleeve blouse. Sneaking a quick peek in the mirror above the dresser she ran her fingers through her hair, the soft blonde waves falling past her shoulders. Satisfied with how she looked Amy glanced over at Scott again, but he hadn't so much as stirred as she got dressed. Amy quietly opened the bedroom door, slipped out into the hall, and closed the door softly behind her.

She crossed the hall to her son's room again and broke into a wide smile when she saw the baby standing unsteadily at the bars of his crib. In his excitement at seeing his mother Nolan lost his balance and landed on his bottom in the crib. Amy laughed as she watched him struggle back to his feet, the smile never leaving his face. Nolan was always such a happy baby and, as she always did when looking at him, Amy felt incredibly blessed to be his mother.

"Good morning, sweetie," she said and was rewarded with happy babbling from her son.

Reaching into the crib Amy lifted Nolan into her arms and adjusted him so his bottom was supported by her arm; his decidedly damp bottom. With Nolan still in her arms Amy went to the dresser and removed a short sleeve bodysuit with snaps. Closing the drawer Amy carried Nolan to the changing table and laid him down. Keeping one hand firmly on his chest she reached for a clean diaper, diaper wipes and powder. Nolan was at a very mobile stage and Amy had learned the hard way not to let her attention waver for even a second when he was on the changing table. It had been almost a week since Nolan had accidentally rolled off the changing table, but the memory still haunted Amy.

Nolan's arms and legs kicked furiously as Amy removed his wet sleeper and then his soaked diaper, dropping the soiled diaper into the pail she kept beside Nolan's changing table. She cleaned him carefully, added a touch of powder, and put a fresh diaper on him. Putting on his snapped shirt was a lot harder. Those flailing arms and legs made dressing difficult. But Amy was patient and finally she managed to get the shirt over his head and his arms through the holes. She snapped him up and then lifted him into her arms again. As she always did first thing in the morning she breathed deeply, savoring the smell of baby powder and milk that always seemed to be strongest in the morning. The strength and intensity of her love for Nolan was sometimes a bit frightening, but she couldn't imagine her life without him.

With Nolan in her arms, snuggled comfortably against her hip, Amy carried him out of his room and into the kitchen. Nolan was looking around curiously, as he did every morning, and Amy knew he was looking for Scott. Amy savored the close bond her husband and son shared; it warmed her to see the two of them together and she looked forward to all the father-son things they would do when Nolan was older. When Nolan couldn't see his father he let his disapproval be known in a stream of unhappy babbling.

"Daddy's still sleeping, sweetie. You'll see him before he goes to work." The familiar and lilting sound of Amy's voice was enough to distract Nolan and within seconds he was back to his usual, bubbly little self.

Nolan protested briefly when Amy strapped him securely in his high chair. He was growing more and more independent by the day and he didn't like when he couldn't explore his surroundings.

Are you hungry, sweetie? Is Nolan hungry?"

Amy listened to Nolan's happy babbling as she made up a bottle for him. For the last few weeks she had been slowly weaning him off of breast milk and introducing formula. He was still receiving half breast milk and half formula and the change didn't seem to be bothering him in the slightest.

While Nolan drank from his heated bottle she fixed him a bowl of brown rice cereal. Nolan was still getting accustomed to solid foods. The brown rice cereal was one she hadn't tried with him yet and she was curious about how he'd react. In addition to the cereal she also scoured the refrigerator for a few seconds before choosing a container of pureed peaches, one of the fruits she knew Nolan really enjoyed.

Grabbing a spoon from one drawer and a bib from another Amy sat down in the seat nearest Nolan's high chair. He fussed a little when she fastened the bib around his neck but when he noticed the food she had with her he started licking his lips and bouncing in the seat.

"You're going to try something new today, Nolan," Amy said.

Amy loaded the spoon with a little bit of the brown rice cereal, testing it on her own lips to see if it was too hot. Deeming it warm but not hot enough to burn Amy offered the spoon to Nolan. He stared at it for a few seconds before opening his mouth and accepting the spoon.

The first bite of the brown rice cereal didn't go over well. Nolan promptly spit it out as soon as it touched his tongue. Patiently Amy tried again with the same result. On the third try Nolan rolled the cereal around in his mouth for a second before swallowing. When he opened his mouth eagerly for another spoonful Amy laughed.

"Good boy, Nolan!" she exclaimed, pleased that he was accepting another new food. "Such a big boy!"

Amy fed Nolan his breakfast, alternating between the cereal and the peaches to give him a little variety. When he had enough he let her know the way he always did; turning his head when she tried to offer him the spoon.

Putting the lid back on the plastic container of peaches Amy put it aside to replace in the refrigerator for later. Using the bib around Nolan's neck she wiped his face, ignoring his protesting cries, and then removed the bib to put in the dirty laundry later. Nolan squirmed and wriggled in his seat, little arms and legs flailing, keeping up a steady stream of babbling as Amy washed his little bowl and spoon and put them in the dish drain.

Amy emptied the coffee pot from yesterday and started a fresh pot, listening to the comforting sound of the coffee percolating. Turning the two rear burners on low heat Amy lightly greased the griddle and placed it over one burner. The frying pan came next and she placed that over the second burner. Opening the refrigerator she removed the package of bacon she'd taken out of the freezer the day before. Opening the package with the scissors Amy carefully laid the bacon strips in the frying pan, listening as they began to sizzle gently.

She washed and dried her hands quickly, not wanting to use up too much hot water. Scott was stirring in the bedroom and in a few minutes she knew she'd hear the water turn on in the shower.

Nolan was getting frustrated at being strapped into his chair so Amy grabbed one of his cloth books; a zoo friends book complete with a small mirror and a teething ring. That seemed to placate him and she could hear him jabbering at the book as she began mixing ingredients for pancakes in a large measuring cup. When the batter was ready Amy poured enough for four pancakes on the griddle, keeping the heat turned down low.

Over the last two and a half years Amy had gotten pretty good at anticipating when Scott would come to the breakfast table. She always insisted that he have a hot breakfast, even after Nolan was born and she was busy from morning to night. Deep down a part of Amy believed that she wanted to be a better wife and mother than her own mother had been. Her husband and son were at the forefront of her life and that was the way it should be.

Still lost in thought Amy turned the bacon with a pair of tongs and, when the pancakes started to bubble a little, she carefully flipped them with a spatula. Confident that the food would be alright untended for a few seconds Amy sat down in the chair beside Nolan. He was poring over his book, looking very seriously at each page. With the hand not holding the spatula Amy pointed at one of the pictures.

"What's that, sweetie? Is that a camel? Look at the hump on his back, Nolan."

Nolan studied the picture of the camel that Amy had pointed out. Smiling at the utterly serious look on her son's little face Amy rose from her chair went back to Scott's breakfast. She was flipping the pancakes a second time when she heard the bedroom door open and Scott's footsteps coming from the bedroom to the kitchen.

Nolan heard his father as well and was babbling at the top of his lungs when Scott finally appeared in the kitchen. Amy caught just a glimpse of her husband's smiling, handsome face as he bent to his son and gave him a series of loud, smacking kisses on the cheek.

"Hey, little slugger! How's my man this morning?" Nolan chattered excitedly, chubby little hands reaching for his father, feet kicking against the high chair. Scott ran a hand through his son's thin, but unruly curls. "Let me say hello to Mommy, slugger, and I'll be right back so we can chat."

Scott approached Amy at the stove, putting his hands on her waist, and bent to kiss the back of her neck. The touch sent pleasant little shivers skating along her spine and Amy leaned back against him briefly. She rested the back of her head against his chest and tilted her face back so she was looking at him upside down. He kissed the tip of her nose and Amy laughed.

"And how's my girl this morning?" Scott asked, and then his eyes caught sight of the griddle. "Ooh, pancakes and bacon! Excellent!"

"I'm so glad you approve," Amy replied, coyly. She turned to take a good look at her husband and, as it usually did, the sight of him made her a little breathless.

Scott was taller than Amy by several inches and she had to look up to see his face. He wore a trim goatee and mustache and his curly hair stuck out in every direction. Their son had inherited his father's crazy curls and Amy delighted in this fact.

Working as an airplane mechanic gave him plenty of upper body exercise and he was well built with strong muscles in his chest, shoulders and arms. Today, like most days, Scott was dressed for work in faded jeans and a navy blue work shirt left open over a plain white T-shirt. His work boots had a steel safety toe to protect his feet in case of an accident.

Standing close to him Amy could smell the combination of the soap and shampoo he'd used in the shower along with his cologne and the scent was intoxicating. After over two years of marriage the honeymoon was definitely not over for Amy and Scott!

Touching her chin lightly with his thumb and forefinger Scott tilted Amy's face up as he leaned in to kiss her. Amy instinctively moved closer to Scott until their bodies just barely touched. She returned the kiss eagerly, the fingers of her free hand wrapping around the front of his T-shirt.

The sudden snapping sound of the sizzling bacon brought Amy back to reality. Reluctantly she turned away from Scott to finish making breakfast. Scott put his hand on the back of her neck and leaned over to kiss her cheek before heading to the kitchen table. He sat down in his chair to watch Nolan, who was still deeply engrossed in his zoo friends book.

"Whatcha got there, big guy?" Scott asked, pointing to the zoo friends book.

Nolan babbled happily as Scott helped him turn the pages of the book, pointing out the various animals and telling Nolan about them. Amy listened as she finished breakfast, putting two pancakes on each of their plates and dividing the bacon as well. She carried the plates to the table and then went back for silverware, the butter dish and two cups of coffee.

"What do you have planned today?" Scott asked, buttering his pancakes.

"I have about a zillion errands to run," Amy said with a roll of her eyes. Even though she knew she sounded exasperated she really wasn't. She thrived when she was doing mundane, ordinary housewife things.

Scott glanced at the table before rising from his chair and going to the cupboard. When he came back with a bottle of pancake syrup Amy immediately apologized.

"Oh shoot! I'm sorry, honey."

Scott shook his head, cutting off her protests, as he added some syrup to his pancakes. "Don't apologize, honey. It's not a big deal."

Amy nodded, still feeling bad that she'd forgotten. There was silence between them for a few minutes as they ate and sipped their coffee. Nolan chattered happily, still enthralled with his book.

"Do you know how busy you'll be today?" Amy asked, curiously.

"Well, I have a Cessna 210 that I have to finish today. I did most of it yesterday but there are still a few little things that need to be finished. And then it has to be tested of course. After that I'm not sure what Chad has waiting for me."

Scott popped the last bite of his food into his mouth, chewing and swallowing before washing it down with the last of his coffee. He looked at his watch and Amy instinctively glanced at the clock. Seeing that Scott had another twenty minutes before he had to leave she pointed to his coffee cup.

"Do you want a refill?"

"Please, if you don't mind."

Amy took his coffee cup as well as his empty plate over to the counter. She put the plate and silverware in the sink to be washed later and filled his coffee cup. As she was pouring the coffee she glanced at the measuring cup and, seeing that there was a tiny bit of batter left, she had a sudden idea.

Amy brought Scott's filled coffee cup back to him and set it down, leaning down to give him a quick kiss as he took the cup from her.

"Thanks honey."

"You're welcome.

"What do you have planned today?"

"Well, I have to stop at the bank and the post office. Then I'm going grocery shopping and I'll probably spend the rest of the day hanging out with Nolan." Amy picked up her coffee cup, but before she took a sip she turned her gaze back to Scott. "Is there anything special you want me to pick up for dinner tonight?"

Scott shook his head. "You know me. As long as I eat I don't care what it is."

Amy rolled her eyes and shook her head, an exaggerated expression of exasperation on her face. "Men ..."

Scott smirked. "We're hopeless; I know. But you can't live without us."

Still shaking her head Amy got up to put their dishes in the sink. Scott expected her to pour herself more coffee and join him at the table before he left, but instead he watched curiously as Amy poured the last of the batter onto the still hot skillet before turning the heat on. The batter had made a pancake no bigger around than a baseball and Scott couldn't for the life of him figure out what she was doing.

"Who's the little pancake for?" he asked. Amy turned to him with a broad smile on her face.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The Last Goodbyeby Rebecca L. Masker Copyright © 2012 by Rebecca L. Masker. Excerpted by permission of Trafford Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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