6. VALETINE'S DAY
I could not believe I had been so blinded by those two. She is my wife, and I loved him like a brother. I never questioned their unusual friendship perhaps I should have.
How could I had such lackof insight? Who could miss their best friend making a play for their wife? How did I let them make a fool out of me?
Looking at Andrea laying in the bed, I think back to the day she finally told me the truth.
I was waiting for her to get home from work, the house was cleaned. I had prepared a surprise dinner for her in order to celebrate Valentine's day.
"You are home. I figured it would be another hour or two," she said attempting to smile. I could tell something was troubling her, but I did not want to bring up anything that would stress her out today. I wanted a relaxing date night with my wife.
"I took off early. Thought I could make up for all the time I have been working lately," I said, thinking back to all the teacher conferences and ballgame I attended.
Everything had been so rushed that I could not remember the last time Andrea and I had been alone. Since having our daughter date nights were almost impossible. New movie in the theatre or concert in another town, Andrea and I hadn't been able to do anything like that in years. I had decided that was the reason she was distance lately. I was determined to make our relationship stronger. I love my wife so much.
"That's kind of you. But I really don't know if I feel like going out. I have been working all day," she said softly.
"I cooked for us. Thought we could go to movie, but we could rent one instead," I said, almost begging my own wife to spend the evening with me. She looked beautiful dressed in a black skirt and red silk blouse. I hated her working as a paralegal, because she was not as available to me as I wanted. But seeing her dressed up and having a sense of propose made me proud.
She is my beautiful and successful wife, I thought.
I look in her hand seeing a stack of papers. I did not think much about it. I figured she brought some work home. Nothing usual there.
"What did you make?" She said placing her papers down on the coffee table.
"Steaks cooked on the grill. I know you like them," I said taking her to the kitchen.
I had the table set with red roses, candles, and music playing. I could not wait to give her the gifts I brought her. A box of expensive chocolates and a gold necklace that had a mermaid charm on it. I knew she had brought one for a sister Amy, and I had wanted one for herself to remind her of Amy. Andrea told me that she insisted on burying her sister wearing it. She was pleased with that choice, but still wanted one for herself.
So after months of searching online and jewelry stores I was able to locate one that was almost identical to Amy's.
"You went all out. You really should not have done all this," she said surprised.
"It was my pleasure. You been working so hard for Milton that you deserve a night to relax. We both do," I said smiling.
"Where is Claire? Is she still at daycare?" Andrea said seeming distracted.
"My parents are watching her for the weekend. I thought maybe we could go horseback riding or concert. I know there is something we could find to do," I said pulling her close to me.
"I should wash my hands before we eat," she said almost racing in the bathroom. Why was she acting this way? Fifteen minutes later she returns, with a cell phone in her hand.
She had called or texted message someone? I had doubted Andrea's faithfulness before, but she had proved her loyalty to me.
Was there something I had missed?
She places her phone down with those mysterious papers on the coffee table. Then takes a seat with me at the table. We both ate for a while, the clatter of our forks the only sound in the house.
I watched as she cut the steak, and took a bite in her mouth.
"This is delicious," She said forcing a smile.
"I made a cheesecake for dessert," I said smiling back at her. For some reason I decided to I wanted to look at her phone. I just could not resist. Her blues eyes look into mine as I get up from the table.
She says nothing as I walk into the living in room. I pick up her the phone looking at all these messages from Milton. I read them as quickly as I could. I could not believe the words I read:
Milton: Did you tell him?
Andrea: No. I came home and he was ready to celebrate Valentines Day. With roses and chocolates. He went all out.
Milton: Maybe you should wait. Or not tell him at all. Maybe leaving Philip isn't the best thing.
Andrea: I am going to tell him. Just don't know when.
Milton: I don't believe you. Sounds like things are better. I thought you were leaving. But sounds like you decided to stay. Just stop the affair. It's the right thing to do.
Andrea: I will talk to you soon. Please don't doubt me.
"You ready for that cheesecake?" Andrea asked from the other room.
I walk back into the kitchen, trying to hold back tears in my eyes. So she was having an affair and Milton knew about it.
"Yes," I said going to the refrigerator. I could not believe I had fallen for her I am crazy about you Philip retinue.
Did she play me for a fool since the first day we met?
I cut the cheesecake in silence, bringing it to her on a plate.
"Thank you. This is my favorite dessert," she says softly. Looking at her, I know that although I am angry I still love her. Besides what would happen if I could not forgive her? We get a divorce then our daughter would go from place to place. Andrea would probably get her during the week and holidays. I get weekends and two weeks in the summer. I could not do that to our daughter. I wanted us to stay together for Clarie's sake.
"I know. We been married three years and know you better than anyone. I love you," I said softly.
"There is something I have to tell you," she says, ready to admit everything now.
"I know. I read your text messages with Milton. Look you had an affair. I am not happy about it, but we can move past this. I forgive you. I am disappointed you told Milton first. Still I forgive you," I said pouring her another class of wine.
"I did not tell Milton about the affair first. He is who I am having the affair with. I do want your forgiveness Philip. But our marriage is over. It has to be," she whispered, barely being able to find the words.
"Milton? You two playing a joke? This is not for real," I said shocked at the words coming from her pretty mouth.
"No. I am love with Milton. I plan on moving in with him, and going back to college. I want to be a lawyer, run the firm with Milton. We are planning on building a life together," she says louder now.
"What about Claire? You just going to abandon YOUR daughter to stay with your new boyfriend? Great parenting there, Andrea," I said angry now.
"I am not leaving Claire. Milton adores her too. We are going to get married and Claire is going to live with us. But I want you to get her every weekend. Anytime you want. I mean we live about ten minutes from each other," She said, kneeling in front of me reaching out to touch my arm.
"You ever love me? Or was I just your chance to get to close to a rich successful lawyer?" I shouted. My stomach was in knots, I felt so used and betrayed.
"I did love you. I still care about you now. But I need Milton," she said decisively. I looked over at the table with huge vase filled with red roses. I knocked off the vase causing the glass to break and water flowers to go everywhere. The loud noise causes Andrea to jump.
She looks over at me shocked. Like she was scared of me or something.
I reached over grabbing her arm forcefully.
"Let me go. I am sorry," she says softly.
"You belong here. Stay with me," I begged her, even in my angry I did not want her to leave.
"On the coffee table are the divorcée papers. Please just sign them. I will come back later to get them after you have processed everything," Andrea said moving away from me. I remember watching her run away from the house and I knew I would not be letting her go. If I could not have her, noone would.
I closed my eyes and opened them again. I was trying not to think about the past. Milton did not take my wife. She is here in bed beside me, I thought happily smiling.
She then opens her eyes, looking at me.
"Any way I can get up today? I would love to take a bath. I feel so dirty, "Andrea asked quietly.
"Of course. I will give you a bath," I said unlocking her feet and taking her hand. She does not put up a fight, but carefully takes my hand. Just touching her hand made my body tremble. I knew I still loved her and at some point I would stop torturing her. Then she fall in love with me again. I knew she would.