Dance, The (The Restoration Series Book #1): A Novel by Dan Walsh, Gary Smalley

not to let this thing drag on too long, before something happens.”
    “Guys,” Doug said. “I don’t see Mom going out on Dad. She’s not like that.”
    Tom looked at him. “Anyone is capable of doing anything when they’re unhappy, Doug, believe me.” Both gave him a look that said, What are you talking about? “I’m not saying I know firsthand,” he quickly added. “Well, in a way I am. That’s how I got stuck buying this inflated house we’re in right now.”
    “Buying an overpriced house is not in the same league as adultery,” Michele said. “Mom has a strong walk with God.”
    Tom looked at her. “Michele, tell me you think there’s no way something like that can happen. You know Mom better than any of us. Are you absolutely sure?”
    She didn’t answer.
    “See?” he said. “You know it’s possible. And even if that doesn’t happen, it’s still not good for them to be apart like this. We need to do whatever we can to help her see that. At least get her to be willing to see a marriage counselor, get the two of them talking again.”
    “I don’t have a problem with what you’re saying,” Doug said. “But I don’t see how I can make any difference. What can I do? She’s not even in the house anymore.”
    “I don’t know,” Tom said. “Start praying, for one thing. Ask God to start softening her heart.”
    “You mean both their hearts,” Michele said. “I’d say Dad’s heart’s even harder than hers.”
    Tom doubted that. “He’s not the one who walked out.”
    “No, but do you understand why she walked out? Have you spent any time thinking about how unhappy she must have been to do something that drastic?”
    Tom realized he hadn’t. But to him, it didn’t matter. You don’t walk out on your marriage. Period. “I don’t see Jean ever walking out on me like that,” he said. “Short of me being unfaithful . . . which isn’t going to happen.”
    “Are you absolutely sure?” she said, somewhat mocking the question he’d asked a few moments ago. She set her coffee down. “Like you said, people are capable of doing anything when they’re unhappy.”

 17 
    I t was Tuesday evening, a little after six-thirty. Marilyn and Charlotte had just finished eating another Lean Cuisine dinner. Marilyn had worked during the day today and had intended to come home and fix them both a real dinner. But she still wasn’t used to being on her feet so long. She knew as soon as she’d walked through the front door, she didn’t have the energy to start cooking.
    She came out of the bathroom after brushing her teeth and stopped a moment in front of her dresser to admire her music box. She must have polished it three times already since bringing it home.
    Home . . . it felt funny thinking of this little apartment bedroom that way. She couldn’t resist it, so she lifted the lid of the box. The music started playing, and the beautiful dancing girl started twirling around.
    “I love that song! From Doctor Zhivago , right?”
    Marilyn looked up to see Charlotte’s happy face in the doorway.
    “All right if I come in?”
    “Sure.”
    “I saw that sitting on your dresser yesterday, and I wanted to open it in the worst way. I thought maybe it was a jewelry box, so I didn’t.”
    “Isn’t it beautiful?” Marilyn said. “I got it at Odds-n-Ends, with my employee discount.” She felt silly saying it so proudly.
    “She’s gorgeous,” Charlotte said. She began humming the melody. “She’s not really a ballerina, though. The dancing girl.”
    “No, she’s not. I think that’s what caught my eye,” Marilyn said. “Besides the song. She’s dressed more like she’s doing a waltz. She reminds me of my daughter Michele when she was younger.”
    “Does she dance like that?” Charlotte asked.
    “Not really. When she was a little girl she did.” Marilyn told Charlotte all about how she and Michele used to dance together in the living room. When she was done, Marilyn noticed the