I didn’t even hang up politely. I told my supervisor, “My kid is not where she’s supposed to be. I’m leaving,” and walked out. On the drive, my brain did the worst thing and filled in blanks with horror.
“Ben Told Me You Knew”
When I got to Diane’s, Melissa ran out in mismatched socks, waving a crayon drawing. “MOMMY!” Diane stood behind her, pale and miserable.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I didn’t want to call, but I can’t do this today.”
“You shouldn’t have had to,” I said. “I’m so sorry.”
Diane gave me a tired look. “Ben told me you knew.”
“He lied,” I said. “That ends today.”
For illustrative purposes only
“Right, Mel? Today Was the First Time?”
I buckled Melissa in and drove home with my jaw locked. I expected Ben to be out. He was cooking, humming, like nothing was wrong.
“Hey, babe! You’re home early.”
I didn’t take my shoes off. “Diane called me.”
He blinked. “Okay?”
