Secrets

“What did you say to her?”

“What do you mean ‘what did I say to her’?”

“Well, she looked pretty upset when she ran upstairs crying.”

“And I wasn't the only one talking to her, was I?”

“You were when I left the room to get the phone.”

“I only asked her what you two were talking about because you didn't tell me.”

“Did it even occur to you I might have intended not to?”

“Yes! And I didn't like it one little bit! That's what I told her too!”

“And she wouldn't tell you?”

“No.”

Do you have any idea why she ran upstairs and was so distraught?”

“I don't have a clue!”

“Did you ask in a nice way?”

“Of course!”

“You didn't start with your hurt feelings then?”

“…no…I don't think so.”

“How would you have liked being approached about a private conversation the way you approached her?”

“Well, I wouldn't have been, would I? I'm an open book sort of guy.”

“I see. Well, then, where did you go with your buds last weekend?”

“I went to BJ's. I told you that.”

“And what did you and the fellows do there?”

“We just hung out and had a few beers.”

“Did I talk about us? Our marriage? Our daughter?”

“No, why would I?”

“You didn't mention our marriage?”

“No.”

“Not at all?”

“No.”

“Why weren't you wearing your ring when you came home from your night out with your buds?”

“Wasn't I?”

“No.”

“I must have lost it. Maybe it came off in my pocket.”

“I suppose that must have been it because you were wearing it again in the morning.”

“Yeah, I remember now! I realized it was gone and found it in my pocket. Put it right back on, didn't I?”

“What time did you get to BJ's?”

“Why?”

“You left here right after work. Remember you took that call then said you were going to BJ's and he was who called.

“Well, I went right over there.”

“That's interesting.”

“Look, why are we talking about this now? I wanted to know what you two were talking about.”

“Yes and I wanted to know why she left and was so upset. Then you brought up keeping secrets.”

“Yeah. So?”

“So, where were you last weekend?”

“I told you I went to BJ's!”

“I called BJ when the dog got out and we couldn't find him. I was going to ask you to help us hunt for him.”

“You did, huh? What did BJ say?”

“He said he hadn't seen you in months. Not since they let you go at work…”

“Boy, he was pulling your leg, wasn't he? Ha! That BJ! Always a joker!”

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

“That you lost your job would have been a good place to start.”

“I didn't lose my job. I've been going to work every day, now, haven't I?”

“Have you?”

“Of course!”

“I checked with your office.”

“You did?!?”

“Then I called the bank.”

“Oh.”

“When were you going to tell me?”

“Uh…”

“You've nearly emptied our savings. “

“Have I?”

“You are the only other person with access.”

“…”

“Where have you been going these last seven months?”

“…nowhere…and everywhere I could think to find work.”

“And no success?”

“No, none.”

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“I was ashamed.”

“Where were you this weekend?”

“…I met someone…”

“Were you ever going to tell me? Were you hoping I wouldn't find out?”

“Maybe…”

“Maybe you were going to tell me or maybe you hoped I wouldn't find out?”

“Both?”

“And you have a problem with being left out of a conversation with our teenage daughter because we were ‘keeping secrets'.”

“Well, yeah.”

“Guess what.”

“What?”

“You haven't a leg to stand on.”

“She's my daughter too!”

“Do you want to know who had called me when you were asking her what we were talking about?”

“Why are you changing the subject?”

“I'm not really. The woman who called wanted to know why I wouldn't let you go. She was distraught and crying too. She's carrying your child and the baby's a girl. She said you were there when they told you both and that you were asking me for a divorce that I wouldn't give you.”

“I really was going to tell you.”

“When? After you'd drained all of our accounts and we’d lost the house?”

“No! Of course not!”

“Well, don't worry because I know now. Our daughter had heard about your other lady from your lady's daughter who is in our daughter's class at school.”

“ Wait! I didn't know she had another daughter…”

“And now you do. She didn't know I hadn't been asked for a divorce, by the way. Now she does. I thought I'd clear up a few lost facts for you. Also, after we hung up I made another call, this one to my lawyer. You might want to pack a few things before you leave for your girlfriend's. I wonder if she'll let you in?”