I Know
I stepped into the den, dropped my briefcase to the floor and noticed my husband standing in the middle of the room. He had a weird smirk on his face.
"John, what's the matter?"
"I know about you and Sam."
The room seemed to become warm and my legs were weak. I clutched the back of a chair hoping I looked relaxed, but I knew my knuckles were white. "S . . . Sam? Who's Sam?"
"Don't play dumb. He's a guy from work. You're having an affair with him."
"Honey, that's preposterous."
"You were seen together."
My palms were wet, my heart pounded. "Who told you that? People often mistake me for someone else," I laughed. "Remember that time at the beach a perfect stranger�"
"Your car was there too." John walked toward the fireplace and picked up the poker. He slipped the metal rod from one hand to the other and ambled back to where I stood.
My ribs tightened around my lungs. I could feel a crooked smile on my face, but I couldn't stop it. "Do you know how many black BMW's are in this town?"
"Only one with a license plate stating: JUSTSUE." John circled the room. "My friend described the guy to me. I recognized him from the Christmas party."
"Wait, wait. When was this?"
"Last week. My friend had to get up the courage to tell me."
"Oh, that must have been Appreciation Day. Each attorney took a paralegal out to lunch. You know, to say thanks. All of them work so hard. Well, I drew his name and �"
"My friend said you held Sam's hand."
Iron bands closed around my chest. It was difficult to catch my breath. I couldn't think clearly. "Oh, I remember. He'd just broken up with his girlfriend and he wanted to tell me all about it. So naturally I had to�"
John moved in front of me and pursed his lips. "You kissed him."
"No, I certainly didn't kiss him. He needed a shoulder to cry on, that's all."
"That weekend last month. You told me you had a conference in San Francisco. I know you spent it at a B&B in Santa Barbara with him."
My neck ached and I wanted to sit. "That's not true."
"Are you denying the affair?"
"Of course I'm denying it. I swear to you, honey. It's nothing."
"That's not what he thinks. He said you're planning to kick me out and move him in. Planning on taking the house and everything."
"You talked to Sam?" I felt like a cornered animal. "I had no idea that Sam had such fantasies about me. Why, I'm nearly old enough to be his mother."
Pain shot down my arm and the room seemed to fade. I reached to get my nitroglycerin tablets from my briefcase, but I couldn't reach it. My legs folded and I dropped to my knees. I gazed up at my husband.
"What's wrong sweetie? Cat got your tongue?" He laid the poker on the floor beside me and grinned. "Mmmm. This is easier than I thought it would be."
"Help me," I pleaded.
"Why? So you can fuck me over." He laughed. "Naw, don't think so."
"You're my . . . husband, for God's sake," I gasped.
"No," he said. "I'm your widower."