We’ll discuss it tomorrow, I said calmly. Over dinner. She stared at me confused. Dinner? Yes, I said. You, me, Alex, and Rachel. All color drained from her face. I didn’t say anything else. I didn’t explain. I didn’t raise my voice. I just walked past her and said, “Be ready at 7:00.” Friday arrived quieter than any day I could remember. Emily barely spoke. She followed me around the house like she wanted to say something, but couldn’t form the words.
Every time she opened her mouth, she closed it again. I didn’t push. I didn’t comfort her. I didn’t ask if she was all right. At 6:30, I walked to the front door and said, “Let’s go. ” Emily grabbed her purse with trembling hands. The restaurant was a small place near downtown. When the host led us to the reserved room, Emily stopped in the doorway. Her breath caught. Alex Turner sat at the table. Beside him sat Rachel Adams, his girlfriend of two years.
Rachel stared at the tablecloth, unaware of what she was about to see. Alex looked nervous. Jason, what is this? I sat down without answering. Emily stayed standing, gripping her purse like she needed it to stay upright. Everyone’s here, I said. Good. Rachel frowned. Is something wrong? Alex didn’t tell me anything. Emily whispered. Jason, please don’t do this. I opened the laptop, connected the HDMI cable, and projected a paused frame of the video onto the wall. Emily in a hotel suite, Alex smiling at her, the door closing behind them.
Rachel’s eyes widened. What am I looking at? I hit play. Alex exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. Jason, turn it off. This is unnecessary. Emily stepped forward. Stop it, please. Not here. Rachel pushed back from the table. She stared at Alex with a face that looked drained of all color. How long? She asked. Alex didn’t answer. How long, Alex? Still nothing. Rachel grabbed her bag and walked out without waiting for anyone. Alex scrambled after her, calling her name, his voice cracking as it faded down the hallway.
The door shut. Emily lowered herself into the nearest chair. Her hands shook so badly she had to hold them in her lap. “Jason,” she whispered. “I don’t want to lose you. We can fix this. I swear I will do anything.” “No,” I said. “We’re done.” She blinked rapidly. “Please, just talk to me. There’s nothing left to discuss. You will hear from Anthony tomorrow. Everything else goes through him.” Her lips parted, but no sound came out. She looked like someone who had finally understood the consequences she thought would never touch her.
