Alyson had been gone for two days, and the house was a pigsty. Take out boxes everywhere, piles of laundry. I guess I really do need her. Finally, Friday had come. Alyson was coming back home. I hear the door click open and I run up to welcome her. I give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey, how was Wisconsin?" I ask. Alyson is from the most hick hicktown you will ever imagine.
"The same," she replies, slightly emotionless.
"How are the girls?" I ask, trying to make small talk. Alyson has three half sisters, who are kinda obsessed with Connect 3.
"Sydney is going to be in a washing machine commercial, London has decided she wants to be a nurse, and Paris has a new motorcycle riding boyfriend," she says, somewhat routinely. Alyson's sisters were named for where they were conceived….icky. I can't help to think with a grin on my face what our baby would be named, if we were as insane as Alyson's stepmother. How about 'bedroom floor'? Alyson notices the smile on my face.
"What are you smiling about?" she asks coldly.
"Just glad your back. And Christmas is in two days!" I answer enthusiastically. I am excited for Christmas, I bought you a present and everything.
"No you're not. You're thinking about her right?" she asks upfront and direct.
"What?" I say in surprise, "If this is about the kiss, she kissed me, and it was only once" I start to ramble.
"That I can forgive, but this?" you yell. You whip out a magazine cover. At first, I was just shocked they had magazines in Wisconsin, but then I peer closely. It said "NAITLYN back together? What about Alyson?" in angry letters. Oh shit, my marriage is over….Wait, that's good right? Or is it? I'm speechless.
"Did you sleep with her? Don't lie to me." You command. Your presence just fills the empty foyer.
"Yes," I say weakly. No use lying to Alyson now.
"How many times?" she asks bluntly. Argh, she cant be serious. I hesitate. She repeats herself.
"Three, I'm sorry" I try to salvage what I have left. You suck in your breath, and walk away. I chase after you.
"You know, Nathaniel, I'm willing to make this work because I love you. But if I see her one more time, hear her peep one more time. We're done for good," she says. Did I ask her to make it work? Te be honest, I couldn't give shit about what happens between Alyson and I. I only care about what will happen with you and me. I'm waiting for you to just randomly show up so Alyson can officially drop the Black from her name. But, I just nod and carry her bags into the living room.
This ultimatum, well, I can't say it's not a bad thing. Now the worst of all, waiting. I wait for you to return from your parent's house. I wait for Alyson to leave me. I wait for God to tell me what to do. We're all just waiting for something.