I lifted my glass slowly, watching Jake out of the corner of my eye. He was leaning against the cooler, one foot crossed over the other, casual as ever. “I just want to say how grateful I am for family,” I began.
“And for the people who became family along the way.”
Lauren caught my eye and blew me a kiss. She was standing beside her mother, both of them holding plates of food. My wife looked so calm, like she wasn’t walking through a house of matchsticks with a lighter in her back pocket.
“I’ve worked with the same man for 11 years,” I continued. “I’ve trusted him with my life more times than I can count. And we’ve seen things most people never will.
The worst of people… but sometimes, the best of people too.”
Jake raised his beer toward me, that easy grin still plastered across his face. “I brought him into my home,” I continued, looking Jake dead in the eye.
“I introduced him to Eli when he was only two hours old. I called him my brother. I shared everything with him — my highs and lows.”
Then I let the next words fall clean and sharp.
“And apparently, so did my wife.”
It took a few seconds for the words to register. And then the silence of realization dawned; a stillness taking over my backyard. Lauren’s fork dropped to the grass.
Her smile vanished so fast that it left a shadow. “Aaron, man —” Jake began. “I came home early on Tuesday,” I said.
“I walked in through the front door and saw the two of you. In my kitchen.”
“Aaron… please.
Let me explain,” Lauren said, stepping forward, tears already brimming in her eyes. “Look, we should talk,” Jake said, moving toward me quickly. “We should talk — just the two of us.
Maybe Lauren, too. But… I’ve wanted to tell you every single day for the past six months.”
Someone whispered, “Six months?” like they couldn’t believe it.
I saw my mother-in-law flinch. I saw my father-in-law stare at Lauren like he didn’t recognize her. “You looked me in the eye every night,” I said, facing Lauren.
“You kissed me goodnight and told me that you loved me, while sneaking around with the man I trusted the most… And for six months?!”
“I made a mistake, Aaron. I didn’t mean —” Lauren said, her eyes shining.
“Don’t insult me, Lauren,” I said. “I’m not stupid.”
Then I turned to Jake. “You wore a badge of honor and stood next to me.
You smiled in my face… while betraying everything we’ve built.”
“Get out,” my father boomed, standing slowly. “Sir —” Jake began.
“I just need to explain —”
“I said get out,” my father repeated. “Now,” Cameron said, stepping forward with his arms crossed. “You did this in your husband’s house?!” my mother-in-law shouted.
“Lauren! In front of your child? I am so ashamed of you.
This is not how you were raised. What is wrong with you?”
“Mom, I’m so sorry —” Lauren said, covering her face. “You should be,” Cassidy sighed.
“As your mother, I’m so disappointed in you.”
I looked at Jake and Lauren. “You don’t get to stay where you’re not loyal. You don’t get to stay where you’ve cheated.
Please, leave,” I said. “And what about Eli?” Lauren asked. “He needs his mother.”
“His mother is a cheater!” Cassidy hissed.
“That child needs more than you. You heard your husband, go, Lauren.”
My wife and my best friend left without another word. And nobody dared to follow them.
The next morning, I filed for divorce. And on Monday, I walked into the precinct and handed my request for reassignment across the desk without explaining. I didn’t have to.
The captain read the name at the top of the form, looked at me once, and nodded.
Jake was transferred out of our unit before the end of the week — upon review, the captain realized that I was the reason behind our numbers, not Jake. Lauren came back the following week to pack her things. She didn’t try to pick a fight.
I think she knew there was nothing left to say. I heard that she’d moved in with her parents, even though her mother wasn’t talking to her. That night, Eli sat beside me on the porch, legs swinging off the edge of the step.
“Dad,” he said, resting his head on my arm. “Where’s Mom sleeping now?”
“She’s staying with your grandparents,” I said, exhaling slowly. “And are we okay?”
“We’re better than okay,” I said, kissing the top of his head.
“We’re going to have pancakes for dinner tonight and sleep in the living room.”
“Is this because of Mommy’s friendship with Uncle Jake?” Eli asked, looking up at me, squinting a little. I paused, met his eyes, and told the truth the only way I could. “Some friendships aren’t what they look like, son.
But we’re going to be just fine.”
And we were. Because when everything burned down, I didn’t lose myself with it. Was the main character right or wrong?
Let’s discuss it in the Facebook comments.
