(My very first submission please be kind)
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I was doing my usual routine, check my email drink my tea and check my social site when staring back at me on my computer screen was a friend I had not seen in five years. Devon. I was so excited. I wrote him a short email, I was sure he wouldn't remember me. It had been so long. Two seconds later in a tiny instant message window were the two best words of my day "Hey Sexy" You got to love technology.
Over the next two weeks we spend the better part of our time chatting and catching up. Very innocent at first but that's how it always start right? We moved onto phone calls god it was so great to hear his voice. Sometime in the early days of the Fall he asked me a question I was avoiding, "What is different with your life than before?" I had no choice but to be truthful with him. "I have a daughter she is 20 months and I'm in a relationship with her dad." I was proud that I have been honest I laid all the cards out there. Most guys run as fast and far from someone unattainable. He was smooth and relax. With the phone glued to my ear he said "cool." What a relief! I was obviously dealing with a guy secure about himself, which was more than I can say about my relationship with my daughter's father.
Months past and we chat and called one another but of course I kept my distance. I was a new mom and while I was not married to her father I saw the future in his eyes. I trusted her father with my most priceless assent, my heart. So when his behavior changed and became distance I grew more and more afraid would this man I lay with at night cheat on me? I shared my concern with Devon.
His words exact "Ask him what's going on."
"I can't do that I don't want to know what's going on."
"So you're okay with sitting there biting your nails?"
"No."
"Next time he hops on the phone with his quote unquote friend, let him know how your feeling."
We said our good byes and I hanged the phone up. I started at it for a second. Could I do this? Devon made it sound so easy, then again his guy. Men don't ask they do.
The following evening John (my daughter's father) had inform me he would be heading out of town to see a female friend. I asked him when he'd get back.
"I'm thinking about staying the weekend there." My heart sank to my feet. I blurted out the first thing that pops into my head.
"Take the baby."
"Why?"
"She can meet your friend and I can have a break." Plus if you are gonna do what I think you're planning it will be nearly impossible with a physical Jimmy Cricket in your face.
Of course he had a rebuttal to that.
"She doesn't like strangers plus I'll be sleeping on a couch, she won't be comfortable."
He told me he would leave Saturday morning and return Sunday night late. Friday came and went. I kissed John goodbye. I didn't tell Devon about what was going on. In fact I avoided him. I felt like I gave my boyfriend a free pass to do, do whatever is guys do when they feel the coast is clear. It was eating me from inside. I kept telling myself to trust not only him but our relationship.
Sunday came. I never had seen the sun go down so fast. Was I beginning to be paranoia? I watch my favorite football team kick ass. Toward the end of the game John called my cell phone. I updated him on the score and asked him how far away he was.
"Mary I got a little lost out here so I'm gonna spend the night in a motel."
I got really quiet I was hoping he would catch the hint. He didn't.
"John, are you by yourself?"
"Yes, Mary. I am here all by myself. I'm a little high and drunk so I'm gonna call it a night."
"Hey, John."
"Yeah, Mary."
"I love you come home safe tomorrow."
"I love you to baby. I will call you when I'm heading home."
We disconnected the last thing I wanted to ask him but couldn't mustard up the courage for.
"Is she there?"
Ladies take this part my story as a cautionary tale; weigh out your paranoia and gut. If your gut is heavy, go with it.
I went on my period that evening. Monday came. He got home around 10PM. Why so late? I sat him down outside on a bench. I told him I don't feel comfortable with entire weekend stays at another female's home. Next time he can be there a couple of hours but until I get to know her I don't want him over there for so long. He agreed. End of that chapter. I could not accused him of anything I still had no proof.
My period this time around lasted four days and had ended Thursday night (thank god!) I told my boyfriend as he was heading off work Friday morning.
"Tonight were gonna have some fun after the baby goes to bed."
He kissed me goodbye and headed out. I picked up my laptop that we had been sharing. His AOL screen-name was still logged in. I could not help it. Weeks of mysterious phone calls, the agonizing weekend with a female friend I had to look. I clicked on Archives. I began reading. At first it was nothing. Catching up, recalling high school mischief. Then the flirting.
Violet69: If I kissed you would you push me off of you?
KingJ87: Not a chance. I would pull you in.
OCTOBER 5 2009
KingJ87: Did you have fun?
Violet69: Hell yeah! I was sooooooo wet and high
Violet69: Are you ever gonna tell her
KingJ87: Not yet, I think she's gonna be pissed
Violet69: Promise not to hurt me?
KingJ87: Of course not. I care about you.
The rest I don't remember. My eyes burned with tears. My heart broke again. I have never been in a relationship that I myself didn't end or was cheated on and they pretty much told me to fuck off.
My daughter who wasn't even two yet ran up to me and asked me if I would be okay?
I put on my brave mommy face and suck the rest of my tears in.
"Mommy's fine baby, go play."
I stepped into the kitchen got my child a snack. I ran into the bed room and backed him a bag. He would not be sleeping here. I called his cell, it went straight to voice mail. I started screaming I knew everything. I told his voice mail he could burn hell.
His sister Gabriela called me. She was unaware of everything.
"Gabby he cheated on me." I retold all that I had found out. She told me he called her the day after he cheated.
"He told me he did something stupid he just wouldn't tell me what it was."
She asked me if I would be okay. I told her I would.
Fast forward to when he got off work. I handed him his bag. He told me he wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to Alice (our daughter). Came in the home and said goodbye. He was heading to his mothers. I was so angry with him. Typical guy he tried to hug me on the way out.