Betrayal
Peter raised his hand in farewell:
Well, Rosemary, Im off! Ill transfer the money to Mumdont worry.
The door clicked shut behind him, and Rosemary sank onto the stool, suddenly bursting into tears.
Mum, whats wrong? Her son appeared in the kitchen. What happened?
Nothing, Rosemary was ashamed of her weakness. Nothing serious, love. Just feeling a bit low, missing the boys. James and Catherine were staying with their grandmother.
No, Dominic said firmly. People dont cry like that over a bad mood, and you talk to the boys every day. Im not a kid anymore, Mum. I understand things.
Rosemary looked at her sixteen-year-old sonalready taller than herand unexpectedly voiced what shed feared to admit even to herself:
I think your fathers about to leave us. She hesitated, then added at his silent questioning glance, Hes been lying to me. For almost half a year now
Dominic didnt know how to react. Hed thought she was upset about work or a row with a friend. But this? His own father? How could that happen? Anger swelled in him, and his mother noticed.
Dominic, dont. These things happen between adultsyoull understand one day. Your dads a good man, but the heart doesnt follow orders.
Even as she spoke, Rosemary didnt believe her own words. She wanted to scream, break things, yet here she was trying to make her eldest son forgive and understand his father! Still, the boy clenched his fists.
Let him go, then! Well manage without him. Whys he pretending at home?
Love, you say youre grown, but youre acting like a child. Everyone makes mistakes, doesnt he? Your dad will realise this is just a passing fancy. His familys always been his priority
Mum, Dominics voice cracked, How could he do this? Ill never respect him the same way again.
Itll work out, love. Rosemary squeezed his hand. Dont tell your brothers, alright?
You neither, Dominic muttered, wiping his eyes. We dont want their faith in their dador their big brothershaken.
Rosemary checked the clock.
Arent you late for training?
Dominic jumped up.
Blimey, I am!
Alone, Rosemarys composure crumbled. Talking to Dominic had kept her numb, but now, the hurt surged up.
How could he betray everything we had?
When shed first met Peter, hed been careless, surrounded by girls he called little birds. When Rosemary said she wouldnt be just another, hed replied solemnly:
Why another? The only one. For life.
And shed believed him, the fool. Seventeen years of marriage, three children, joys and hardshipsand still, hed strayed.
It started six months ago. Or had it been longer, unnoticed? At his nephews wedding, shed spotted a woman clinging to Peter in the photos. Shed joked about it, but hed brushed it off:
Who? Oh, the brides friend. No idea why she kept hoveringhonestly, Im not even into blondes!
Shed believed him then. But soon came odd phone calls, silent hang-ups. Shed joked:
Dominics little birds must be pranking us!
The calls stopped, but she didnt connect it to their talknot until Peter, a jeans-and-T-shirt man, suddenly started wearing suits and expensive cologne. Late nights piled up.
A crucial project, hed say. Once its done, well have that holiday, your fur coat, Dominics carjust hang on!
Then weekends vanished too. Work emergencies. Rosemary longed to find that woman, drag her by the hairbut she never searched, afraid of what shed do.
A knock interrupted her thoughts. Peter called, nervous:
Rosie, we need to talk. Somewhere the kids wont hear.
She smirked bitterly. Hed counted on her dignity to avoid a scene.
At first, she almost went in her gardening clotheswhy dress up? Then she changed her mind.
Ill show him what hes losing.
The cabbie eyed her in the mirror. As she paid, he said kindly:
A pretty lady like you shouldnt look so sad. Cheer upitll all work out.
The unexpected kindness lifted her slightly.
Peter waited with a rose. Why, if he was leaving? A grave for their love? The absurd thought almost made her laugh.
Dinner was small talk. The tension coiled tighter inside her until she snapped:
You said we needed to talk.
He hesitated. Right. So how would you feel if we skip the holiday, the coat, and the car?
Her breath caught. Then he continued:
My bonus just doubled. Dominics almost grownwhat if we buy him a flat? By eighteen, hell have his own place.
Peter, she said faintly, What?
Youve been so distracted lately. Rosie, whats going on?
Then he shouted. Restrained in public, but outside, he let loose:
Have you lost your mind? An affair? After all Ive explainedlate nights, the project! I bragged about my understanding wife, and this is how you repay me?
Walking home, she listened to his scolding like it was music. At their doorstep, he finally quieted.
Didnt I say Id found my one and only? Have I ever lied to you?
Dominics day had been rotten. His mothers confession left him adriftlate to training, clumsy in drills, snapping at mates. Hed wandered, hoping for a fight to vent his rage, but no thugs obliged. Returning home, he saw them kissing on the step. His mothers coat was unmistakable. Rage spikedhis father, the cheat, and now this? He stormed forward, fists clenched
Oh, son, Peter blinked, stepping back. We were just
Sometimes, the shadows in our minds are worse than the truth. And love, if real, finds its way back.