“You called me earlier. About my husband.”
“I…” She hesitated. “I’m nobody in his life. Not like that.”
I closed my eyes. That almost made it worse.
“So, how do you know him?”
“I don’t know him,” the woman said. “Actually, I don’t. I work at a medical supply store.”
I opened my eyes.
That almost made it worse.
“Your husband came into our store asking for a leg cast. He said he only needed it for a few days. I assumed it was for a performance, or for work, or something harmless.”
A sigh was heard on the other end of the line.
“Then he mentioned that his wife was taking the kids on vacation and that it was the perfect opportunity for him. He said he’d treated himself to a big-screen TV, a new game console… that he was going to make some space to escape all the noise from you and the kids.”
“Your husband came to our store asking for a leg cast.”
“I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” the woman said softly. “About the children. About how carefree he was. It didn’t add up.”
“So you called me,” I said.
“Yes,” the woman replied. “I looked into it. Property records. Your name was listed on the house. I’m sorry. I know it wasn’t my house. I almost didn’t call, but I would have wanted to know if it were me.”
“So you called me.”
I nodded, even though she couldn’t see it.
“Thank you,” I said.
“I hope you’re well. You and your daughters.”
I looked down the hallway, where a nightlight glowed dimly under the guest room door.
“We will be,” I said.
The call ended.
“Thank you.
For a moment I sat there, letting the last pieces fall into place.
I had planned it so carefully.
He’d faked an injury, sent the girls and me away, and spent thousands of dollars on a private getaway. All so he could have what? A man cave? A throne room?
No.
So that we can disappear from our marriage without actually leaving.
I had planned it so carefully.
I got up, turned off the kitchen light, and headed into the hallway.
Tomorrow I’d decide what would come next. Maybe lawyers. Or therapy. Or something else entirely.
Tonight, all I needed to know was this: I didn’t need a break.
I needed a way out.
And now everyone saw it.
Tomorrow I would decide what would come next.
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