Infidelity
– Alright, Ellie, I’m off! – Patrick waved cheerfully – I’ll transfer the money to Mum, don’t worry about it.
The door closed behind him, and Ellie sank wearily onto the stool, suddenly bursting into tears.
– Mum, what’s wrong? – Danny entered the kitchen, – What happened?
– Oh, nothing, – Ellie felt ashamed of her own weakness, – Nothing, love, just in a bad mood. And I miss the kids.
It was the school holidays and the kids, her son Vinnie and daughter Christine, were staying with their grandmother.
– No way – Danny said firmly – you wouldn’t be crying this much over just a bad mood. And you talk to the kids every day on the phone. Come on, mum, I’m not a child anymore.
Ellie looked at her sixteen-year-old son, taller than she was, and unexpectedly voiced what she feared to admit even to herself:
– I think Dad’s going to leave us soon, – and seeing the unspoken question in her son’s eyes, she added, – He’s been cheating on me. Almost half a year now…
Danny didn’t know how to react. He thought maybe someone at work or on the street had upset her, or she’d had a row with a friend. But not this! Dad, how could he?! Anger began to rise in Danny, and his mother noticed at once:
– Danny, don’t. This happens sometimes with adults, you’ll understand when you’re older. Your dad’s a good man, but the heart wants what it wants.
Ellie spoke, but she didn’t believe her own words. She felt like screaming, throwing things, and smashing dishes, but instead, she was urging her eldest to forgive and understand! But her son clenched his fists:
– Then let him go; we’ll manage just fine without him! Why keep a cheat around?
– You’re saying you’re grown up, but you’re behaving like a child. Everyone’s allowed to make mistakes, aren’t they? Even your dad, he’ll realize it’s just a fling, but we, his family, are what matters most…
– Mum, – “grown-up” Danny suddenly cried, – Why did he do it? I can’t respect him like before now!
– It’ll be okay, son, – Ellie patted his hand, – Just don’t tell the kids.
– You too, – Danny wiped his eyes, – Don’t tell them I cried. Otherwise, their belief in their strong and almighty big brother will waver.
Ellie checked the time:
– Aren’t you going to be late for practice?
Danny jumped up:
– I am! Blast it!
Left alone, Ellie thought. Talking to her son, she seemed rational, but alone, the pain overwhelmed her, tears choking her:
– How could he betray everything we had?
When they met, Patrick was quite a carefree spirit, always surrounded by women he jokingly called “birds.” When she told him she wasn’t going to be just another “bird,” Patrick had told her seriously:
– Not just another. The one and only, for life.
And like a fool, she believed him for all these 17 years they were together. Despite three kids, all they’d been through, in good times and bad, he still betrayed them.
It all began half a year ago. Maybe earlier? She hadn’t noticed if so. But no, unlikely… Half a year ago, they got invited to a wedding, Patrick’s favorite nephew was getting married. Ellie couldn’t make it, but she encouraged Patrick to go, it was important, he couldn’t skip it. Though he pretended to resist, Ellie insisted, reminding him his sister would be upset, and relatives would have questions.
Later, Ellie looked through the wedding photos posted online, and there she saw a woman constantly cozying up to Patrick! Something twinged at her back then; she made a sarcastic comment about it, but her husband replied,
– Who? What? Oh, her! Niece’s friend, I think. Didn’t notice her being around. Honestly, Ellie! Jealous much? – he had smiled then, – You’re jealous! But she’s not even my type!
She believed him then; the woman wasn’t. But then strange calls started, silence on the line. Ellie mentioned it to Patrick:
– Someone calls, stays silent, sighs. Seems our Danny’s picked up some “birds” too!
After that, the calls stopped, but Ellie didn’t connect it with her conversation with him until much later — when Patrick, who always wore jeans and sweaters, suddenly started donning suits, shirts, ties, and using new cologne instead of the “Stag” he’d inherited a love of from his dad. He also started working late… When Ellie asked about it, Patrick, without hesitation, explained:
– Ellie, we have a critical project at work! No idea how long it’ll last, but afterward! – Patrick rolled his eyes dreamily – We’ll have everything, we’ll vacation wherever you want, buy you that coat you wanted, and Danny can get that hoverboard or maybe even a quad bike. Can you hold on until then?
From that day, not only was Patrick staying late, sometimes he’d disappear on weekends too. The moment they’d plan a family outing, a call would come, and he’d look guilty:
– Ellie, they’re calling me in. Deadlines…
She desperately wanted to find that wedding woman and give her what for, but to avoid the urge, she didn’t even try finding her name or whereabouts.
Six months of this life had driven Ellie nearly to breaking point. In front of others or her kids, she maintained composure, but alone, she often faltered. After talking to her son today, she resolved:
– I’ll talk to him. Something needs to be done. Danny mustn’t hate his father!
Her husband beat her to it. Patrick called and invited her to a restaurant:
– Ellie, we need to talk. Best if the kids don’t hear.
Ellie bitterly smiled: doesn’t want a scene, knowing she wouldn’t make one in public.
At first, she thought of going in regular clothes; why dress up? Maybe wear something that looked like she’d just come from gardening. Make him feel embarrassed. But an hour before leaving, she changed her mind:
– I should look beautiful, like never before. Let him see what he’s losing!
The taxi driver watched her intensely in the mirror. As she paid, he suddenly said:
– Such a beauty, yet so sad! Don’t worry, it’ll all turn out okay!
An unexpected compliment lifted her spirits a bit, and she entered the restaurant with a smile. Patrick held a rose, surprising her: if he intended to say he was leaving, why flowers? Was it a sign – a flower for their love’s grave? She chuckled at the strange thought, out of character for her.
They dined, talking about nothing in particular. Ellie felt an invisible coil inside, wound tight and ready to snap. Finally, she couldn’t hold it in:
– Patrick, you said we needed to talk…
He nodded:
– You’re right. Well, Ellie, here it is, – he hesitated as if gathering courage, – Listen, I’ve thought… Would you mind if we don’t go on holiday, or buy the coat and the quad bike?
The spring inside her coiled tighter, but Patrick continued:
– Today we got paid nearly double with the bonus included. And I thought, you know, Danny’s 16, soon he’ll be fully independent. What if we use this money to get him a flat? I checked, and if we invest in new development, it’ll be ready as a gift by his 18th. What do you think?
– I… I understand, Patrick, – Ellie started, but then realized, – What? A flat? A flat?!
– Didn’t hear a word? You’ve been so absent-minded these past months. What’s happening, Ellie?
Then Patrick yelled. He kept calm in the restaurant, but outside, he let it out:
– Have you lost it?! What mistress, what affairs?! I explained everything, big project, working late! You didn’t argue once, I even bragged about having such an understanding wife! And this “understanding” woman cooked up this nonsense!
They walked home together as Patrick vented, Ellie blissfully smiling. Amidst the rebukes and rants, his voice sounded like angelic music. At home, Patrick calmed, stopping at their door:
– I told you once I’d found my only one. When have I ever lied to you?
…Danny’s day had gone awry completely; his mum’s morning confession threw him off balance. Late to practice, scolded by the coach, beaten up during practice because he didn’t fight back. On top of that, he argued with a friend over a trifle and wandered around the town looking for trouble. He wanted someone to pick on him, to let out his pent-up anger. But attacking first was too much for his conscience.
Finding no bullies, he headed home. There, at the door, he spotted a couple kissing. Recognizing his mother’s coat instantly, it seared him: blaming Dad for infidelity, while she’s…
Clenching his fists, he took a step…
– Oh, son, – Patrick, smiling a bit sheepishly, said, – We were just…
…Isn’t it great when everything ends well?
