Three People Cannot Be In A Marriage
Mary ransacked the kitchen after hearing the news of Abe and Anna. She felt sick and betrayed. Yes, she claimed she would be able to tolerate an affair only if it was done in secret but Anna said nothing of the sort was happening. She felt stupid because she believed Anna. She believed there was still a chance for Abe to love her wholeheartedly. To see her as the only woman who could light up his world.
She wanted to be so much more than Thomas' mother. She wanted to be Abe's partner and it seems that is no longer possible. She falls to the floor and put her hands to her face and cries. She cries for a life that could have happened with Abe's brother Thomas, she cries for the life she has now, and she cries for the marriage that has just imploded.
The tears eventually stop and she stands up to dust herself off. She straightens up the kitchen and begins to clean the rest of the house. She needs time to contemplate her next move.
She waits for Abe and Anna to arrive from New York not allowing herself to show how she is feeling. She cannot make a public scene.
When the two are in her field of vision she plasters on a smile to which they know is meant for Abe. Mary watches for subtle movements between them but finds none.
Anna greets her and Abe hugs her hello. He kisses the side of her head and says he misses her. She simply smiles politely to further mask the anger she is feeling. After seeing Anna off, the couple return home.
Mary helps him unpack while asking how the trip went. He gives vague answers and then turns around to ask her what she has been doing while he was away.
She goes still telling herself to speak with a strong voice. She cannot cry. She will not cry in front of him. She has been humiliated enough.
"I've spent time with father and taking care of the house. Nothing out of the usual," she replied. She pauses for a beat. "Except this one thing I found quite interesting."
She sees she has his full attention. "Ensign Baker said you had a guest. Mrs. Anna Strong. He didn't go into details about why she was here so I wanted to hear it from you. What did Mrs. Strong desire to discuss with you?"
Mary could see the wheels turning in Abe's head. A lie was about to come out of his mouth and if that happened she was pretty sure she was going to explode.
"I can't tell you," he said.
"So you are willing to keep secrets no matter the consequence," she said her voice taking on a hard edge.
"Mary, please understand," Abe started to say.
"Understand what? You and Anna are having an affair. The two of you were nearly caught by Ensign Baker and yet you have the audacity to lie to my face and deny it all," she said her voice getting higher with every word.
"You have humiliated me. You are my husband and you betray me in the worse way possible. And to think I am the one who had your father get Selah off that ship," Mary continued.
"What?" he asked.
"I thought if Anna got her husband back it would free you to actually spend time with the family you claim to care about," Mary said. She got closer to him standing mere inches from him. "You either tell me how long you've been seeing Anna and what you've been doing or I swear I will take my son with me and I will leave this house for good."
Abe blinked. He'd never seen Mary this upset and the guilt of his actions weighed heavily on him but he could not bring himself to tell his wife the entire truth. They would be in danger if it were ever revealed he was a spy.
"I'm sorry Mary," he said.
"I'm sorry too," she said. "I'm taking Thomas and moving in with father. If and when you decide to be a husband you know where to find me."
He let her go without protests. It wasn't until he heard the door slam that his knees buckled. He just ripped his family apart.