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Chapter Twelve: Thanks for Being Wrong

Drake stood in the middle of his office, going over the events of the last few days in his mind. Did Christine really believe that he'd cheated on her? How could she? Then again, given what she'd seen, he couldn't really blame her, but he didn't know what to think. All he wanted to do was fix this.

He had always worried about what occurred between him and Debra. What happened now? And another thought entered his mind. Why was Christine sick lately? Was that his fault? That thought ate away at his mind. It was happening nearly everyday, and he was deeply concerned. He'd asked her often if she wanted to go to the doctor. She always refused it. Drake wasn't one to overpower his wife, but he really felt he needed to put his foot down here. The thought of losing her was too much to bear. The thought of anything happening to her or Angela killed him. He decided he'd make it a point that night when they both were home that they were going to talk about this Debra situation, and he was going to talk to her about seeing a doctor. Angela was going to be with her grandparents that night. He was dropping her off after they left the office. It would be fine for Drake to bring everything up without worrying their daughter.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. He sighed and walked over to open it. Dr. Reynolds was standing there.

"Dr. Parker," she said gravely.

"Yes?" Drake asked. He suddenly felt his scalp prickle. Was this about what happened in the back room?

"I know something happened between you and Miss Sparrow."

"Look, Dr. Reynolds, I know what it sounded and looked like, but..."

"I know what happened. Miss Sparrow has been terminated from her position."

Drake began to worry about his own fate. He had a wife and daughter to help support. Not that Christine didn't have a good job, but he'd always helped somehow.

"Dr. Reynolds, I know what happened may have been..."

"I know what it was. I saw everything. I was in the room next to you." She stopped for a moment before continuing. "You like to see the good in people, don't you?"

"I guess," Drake responded. "I should have brought this up before, but a little while ago, she tried to seduce me in my office. I didn't report it because I thought maybe she didn't know I was married. I should have, and I didn't. I wish I had."

"I told her everything about you before you came to work here. I couldn't help but gush about you, so you'll forgive me for that, I'm sure."

"Uh, yes, but..."

"I know it wasn't your doing. I'd never seen anyone bolt away from a woman that fast."

"Uh..."

"I also mentioned to her that you weren't a rockstar for certain reasons which caused her to simply stare sheepishly. Family, friends, a real love."

Drake blushed for a moment.

"Wait," he said suddenly.

"Yes?"

"Can you really just fire her like that?"

"This wasn't Miss Sparrow's first problem here. You don't have to worry about her."

"I see," Drake replied.

"May I ask you a question as a friend, Drake?" Dr. Reynolds asked.

"Yes," he said.

"Did you talk to your wife about this?"

"No..."

"I didn't think so. Your mind seems to be elsewhere lately. Why not? If you don't mind my asking."

"She hasn't been feeling well lately. I didn't want to make her feel worse."

Dr. Reynolds frowned.

"I see."

"I want to tell her. I think part of me is also scared of how she'll react. I know she saw what happened too. I just don't know how to tell her."

"All you can do is tell her, Drake. It's up to her whether she believes the truth or not."

Lana patted Christine's back while Mindy held her hand. How could this have happened? Drake have an affair? After all that time, it didn't seem possible. He loved Christine. Or so they all thought. Mindy could barely believe it herself. Wasn't she the one who saw how much Drake cared about Christine in the first place? She wouldn't have encouraged it if she thought Christine would end up like all the other girls had: cast to the side in a day or two or a month.

"Christine, I'm sure that it isn't true," said Lana.

"I just know what I saw."

"I'd expect this in high school, but not now," Mindy said.

"What am I going to do?"

Neither Mindy or Lana knew what to say. They were sitting in the living room of Christine's mother. Tim was out of the house as Christine had said. But that was what they thought. He was supposed to have been at work. Instead, he'd taken the day off. Christine glanced up to see the one person who could only make her feel worse.

"Christine, what's going on?" Tim asked.

"Nothing," Christine replied sharply. She'd barely figured this out herself. She wasn't going to let Tim get to her. She didn't need to hear what he had to say about Drake. She knew what it would be already, and he was wrong.

"I couldn't help but overhear..."

"Oh, great," Christine said.

"Look, I tried to tell you. Now, if you need to come here with Angela for a little while, we'll understand..."

What was he implying? That Christine just walk out of a ten year marriage without even trying to salvage it? And with a child?

"I know what he's done is hard to handle, but your mother has been in this position. I think you'll be fine here. I'm just sorry we can't do more..."

Throw away ten years of marriage without even getting Drake's side of the story? Yes, the circumstances looked grim, and things looked bleak, but shouldn't she at least see if he had an alibi?

"I know it's not easy. Some men are just like that. Once a cheater, always a cheater..."

Drake had never cheated on anyone, let alone Christine.

"It's such a shame you had to figure it out this late and with a child. It's not fair to you and Angela. I don't know how you're going to make her understand why you won't be together anymore..."

Christine's grip tightened on Mindy's hand. Mindy was startled at the sudden muscle spasm. She peered into her friend's face. She saw anger. Toward who?

"Yes, we'll be able to help you for a little while. You won't have to worry about that. We care about you. I'm just sorry you just now found out what your husband really is. You just can't trust his type..."

"That's enough!" Christine yelled, jumping up from her chair. "How dare you stand there and insult my husband."

"Excuse me, but I think we've already established that he's a cheating b—"

"If you finish that word, God help you."

"How can you be so foolish?"

"How can you suddenly jump to the conclusion that he's cheated without even questioning him?"

"Of course he's going to say he didn't do it. There's no point in asking that."

"So I can't even see if his explanation holds true?"

"Why should you? Men like him are all the same."

"That's enough! You have no right to judge him. Drake is a wonderful husband and father. You haven't spent the last ten years of your life building a family with him. You haven't had him at your side when you were pregnant or giving birth. You haven't seen the little things he's done simply because you felt sick, and he just wants to help you feel better if only for a moment..." Christine felt tears slide down her face. Not tears of sadness but tears of shame. How could she let herself think that? Unfortunately, it was what her eyes had seen. How did you not trust that? It was complicated, but hearing all that Tim said about Drake, she refused to listen to him rip him apart without him even being present to defend himself. The more he spoke, the more Christine knew the words weren't true.

"Christine..." Lana began.

"I think we can leave now," said Christine.

"If you're sure," said Mindy, timidly.

"I'm positive," Christine said firmly.

"Let's go then," said Lana.

"You're making the biggest mistake of your life," Tim said, staring at Christine.

"Drake isn't a mistake," Christine replied. "The only mistake I made was to doubt him."

"What would you like me to tell your mother? That her only daughter is being foolish and throwing her love away for someone who doesn't care about her?"

"No. That I've figured things out on my own. And don't you ever talk about Drake that way." Tears continued to fall, but Christine didn't notice.

"Well, I can't say he loves you right now."

"You've never said that. You've always been wrong about him. Maybe I should thank you for that. It means he could never hurt me that way."

Christine slammed the door, and she and Lana and Mindy left the house. Christine was angry and stood in the middle of the sidewalk for a moment to cool off. Her face was red. This couldn't be good for her. She had to get out of there. For her sake, for Drake's sake, for the sake of their daughter, and for what the future held.

"Why did I doubt it?" Christine asked.

"Well, you saw what you saw," said Mindy. "Your dad cheated on your mom. You had every right to be suspicious."

"I don't know," said Christine.

"He'll understand," said Lana. "He loves you, but you're sure it isn't true?"

"Yes. I know it's not true."

"Going to go home?" asked Mindy.

"Yes," Christine replied. It was getting late, and she should go home. If she didn't, Drake would worry.