In the middle of the night, Adam tells all…
I woke some time later to Chris, lightly shaking me. I must've fallen asleep on the couch! I think, struggling to focus on what Chris is saying. I look at the mantel clock. I'd been sleeping for four hours! No wonder Chris came to find me. I smile at him drowsily, and all at once my smile disappears when I remember why I am on the couch. That damn letter.
"Adam, Baby, are you ok? I went to bed hours ago, you'd said you'd be right along, and just woke up a minute ago and came here and found you… clutching this. Is this the letter from Nana?" Poor naïve Chris! He still believed my stupid cover-up from before. I could go along again now and avoid what was sure to be an ugly scene… no. I know I can't. "Adam? What are you thinking? What are you hiding from me?" Chris's words are quiet and filled with concern and a little hurt. My heart starts to pound.
"Chris, the reason I am down here… that is the letter… it's not Nana. Chris, its Jeff. The letter is from Jeff, and I was afraid to tell you, and sad and a little unsure how I felt. This is – was – our anniversary." I look down at the floor, to where Chris's bare feet are resting next to my own. I wait for the blow to come.
Silence. I glance up at Chris, his eyes are staring, trying to burn the letter he's holding in his hands. He rips it from its envelope, tearing a corner in the process. Quietly, he reads and rereads the words.
"So, this is what upset you before dinner? Why didn't you tell me then? Did you think I'd be mad? That I'd hurt Jeff? Did you think I'd be hurt? Why did you lie?"
I open my mouth to answer but Chris cuts me off.
"Did you not tell me because you still love Jeff? Do you want him back Adam? Because here is your big chance. So take your pick. Here. Tonight! I am going to bed, and when you decide, you tell me!"
Chris crumples the letter, flinging it into my lap. He runs up the stairs and I can hear our bedroom door slam shut, flinching at the angry noise. It only takes a minute for my mind to clear, to come to the decision I should've already known when I got the letter. I walk slowly upstairs, creeping along the hall. Chris is in bed, the covers drawn up high around his neck, despite the warm temperature of the night.
I walk over to the bed, getting slowly undressed, trying not to wake Chris. I know he is asleep and not just acting. Chris is one of those lucky people, that when they have problems, they just go to sleep, no sitting around feeling sorry for themselves trying to find a solution. They just go to sleep and let their unconscious mind work through what ever it is.
I, on the other hand am not that lucky. I know that if I do not fix this tonight, I may never have another chance. Chris and I already split once, and found each other again. But can you do that a second time? I wasn't sure, and so, I lowered myself under the sheets, moving up behind Chris, a frown disturbing his beautiful face.
Gently tugging the blankets down from his neck, I wrap and arm around him chest, drawing him to me. At first he resists, but then his body slowly seems to melt against mine, his arm coming around my own, his fingers entwine themselves with mine. I know I am forgiven for lying, for doubting this. And I know that in the morning, Chris will wake me with a soft kiss, as soft as the one I am even now placing on his now smooth forehead, and we will make love. As we are meant to.
Fin.