On paper, Dan and I are the kind of suburban family that is annoyingly ideal.Dan is a very successful software developer, I work as a marketing manager, and we live in one of those homes with well-kept lawns and neighborhood barbecues with our adorable four-year-old kid, Ethan.However, I’ve been feeling as like something has been missing lately, but I wasn’t sure what it was.In order to deal with my existential crisis, I did what any respectable millennial would do: I enrolled in a fitness class. I met Mary there as well.Mary was unique.positively.With her toned muscles and contagious energy, she served as our instructor.Cindy is a nice little girl with a single mother.We clicked from the first day.With a crazy smile, she shouted out, “Come on, Rachel!” while performing burpees.”You’re capable!Make the most of your boss energy! If I claimed that her enthusiasm wasn’t initially a touch frightening, I would be lying.Before long, though, I was looking forward to our workouts for more reasons than just the endorphin rush.One day after class, Mary sat down beside me as I drank water and tried not to pass out.With glittering eyes, she answered, “So.””Tomorrow lunch?Amazing salads are served at this new eatery in town.And keep in mind that we deserve it before you say no! We then settled into a rhythm.Lunches, shopping excursions, and workouts when we dressed up in goofy costumes and laughed until our sides ached.With a closest friend to confide in, it was as if we were back in college.One day as we were eating sushi, I commented, “God, I needed this.””I love my family, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes…” Mary put a California roll in her mouth and nodded.You have to remind yourself sometimes that you are more than simply your wife or mother, don’t you?I understand. The greatest thing that has ever happened to me is being Cindy’s mother, but occasionally it’s good to simply be Mary. I couldn’t have expressed it more clearly.After a few weeks, Mary became more than simply my friend and trainer—she became family.I therefore decided it was time for her to meet my real family on that fateful Tuesday.”Will you be joining us for dinner this weekend?” We were cooling down from a particularly challenging HIIT exercise when I inquired.You are welcome to bring Cindy.A playmate would be wonderful for Ethan. Mary’s expression brightened.”Really?That sounds fantastic!Dessert will be brought by me.I hope apple pie appeals to your hubby.
To the pleasure of Dan, I cleaned nonstop throughout the Saturday. As he saw me clean the kitchen counter for the third time, he replied, “Honey, it’s just dinner with a friend.” “It’s not the Queen’s visit.” I gave an eye roll. “I desire perfection in everything.”I could see the joy on Dan’s face even as he raised his hands in surrender. I knew he was pleased for me.I had spent weeks chatting about Mary continuously.The home smelt amazing at six o’clock in the evening, if I may say so myself, and I was putting the finishing touches on the table when the doorbell rang.”I’m going to open!” As I headed to the door, adjusting my clothing, I called.I opened it with a smile on my face and a big breath.Cindy peeked hesitantly from behind Mary’s knees, who was stunning in a flowing summer dress.A bottle of wine and what I thought was the promised apple pie were in Mary’s hands.I called out to her, “Hey, you did it!” and invited her inside. “Let me take this, come in.”Then everything took a turn for the worst.Dan was probably coming to say hello when I heard his footsteps behind me.However, it was as though someone had flipped a switch the instant Mary’s gaze fell upon his.The kind, amiable face I had become so used to disappeared, to be replaced by something I had never seen before: unadulterated fear, followed by a fury so great that I retreated a step.The wine bottle broke on the floor after slipping out of Mary’s grasp.She appeared to be startled out of her reverie by the sound, and she rushed by me with such rage that I was rendered speechless.She yelled and pointed at Dan, saying, “YOU!””I’m going to call the police!”
I tried to understand what was going on as I stood there, my mouth hanging wide.Dan lifted his hands and appeared equally bewildered, his face going white.He stumbled, “I apologize, but I have never seen you in my life.” The wrong words.I almost believed Mary was going to strike him as her eyes blazed ominously.With her voice breaking, she yelled, “DON’T LIE?””That man is Cindy’s father,” she said, gesturing violently at Dan. He simply vanished from our lives while I was pregnant! How are you able to lie?The words struck me like a blow to the body. I felt lightheaded, like though the earth were dropping away from me.This cannot be taking place.Wasn’t this a wicked, horrible game?I managed to say, “Mary, what are you discussing? This must be an error.Mary wasn’t paying attention, though. Muttering to herself, she fumbled frantically in her luggage.At last, she took out her phone, shakily wiped it, and brought it up to my nose.”Look!” she insisted.”Tell me that this picture isn’t of him!” My heart was beating so loudly that I could hear it while I gazed at the television.In the picture, a younger Mary was grinning at the camera while she had her arm wrapped around a man who resembled Dan.The same smile, the same eyes, and even the same scar from a childhood bike accident on his chin.”That…that can’t be…” I muttered, glancing between my spouse and the phone.Dan’s expression had changed from bewilderment to fear.
He reached for me and whispered, “Rachel, honey, I swear I don’t understand what’s happening.”But my head was whirling as I jerked back.Mary gave a sour laugh. Even now, he continues to deny it? You truly are a masterpiece of art, God. I paused, though, because of something in Dan’s voice. It didn’t feel like a performance—the bewilderment, the real shock.Was he truly forgetting? I was in the living room feeling like a stranger in my own life as Mary packed up her belongings to depart, saying we would discuss it later.Dan lingered close by, clearly trying to console me but unsure whether he should.”Rachel,” he murmured.”I am aware that this is God, I have no idea what this is. But you are loved by me. My universe revolves around you and Ethan.”Just tell me what you need, please,” he asked.”Tell me how to make this better.” However, I had no response. If you discovered that the man you loved was concealing a significant secret, how would you respond?Will you ever be able to trust him again?Or would you abandon everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve?
