I was the fool who babysat my sister’s kids while she slept with my husband. But the secret she thought I’d keep forever? That became my sweetest revenge.
Everyone said I was kind.
Maybe too kind. I used to believe that if I gave good to others, one day it would come back to me. I also used to believe that love would last forever.
But after the wedding, that goodness just seemed to fade away.
And so did Jack. These days, he lay on the couch, eyes glued to his phone.
We didn’t go for evening walks anymore. Jack didn’t ask me out for dinner.
He didn’t even look up when I stood by the door in my coat, hoping he’d say,
That night was no different. Jack lay there, flipping through channels.
“Jack, do you remember how we used to dream about buying tickets for a weekend getaway?”
He didn’t look up.
“Why are you starting this again, Marie? I’ve got work early tomorrow.”
“We can’t even have dinner together anymore…”
Jack shrugged. “You’re here.
I’m here. We’re together. What more do you want?”
I stared at his back in silence.
Jack’s phone buzzed with a message.
He just smiled at the screen. And right then, my own phone buzzed in my pocket. Linda.
I already knew what she was going to say.
“Marie!” Her voice thundered through the speaker. “Hey, would you mind coming over to watch the kids tonight? Please!
You’re my angel!”
“Linda, I was just there the other night until midnight…”
“Oh, don’t start! You know I don’t have a husband anymore. I need to build my life somehow — before I get old and dry up.”
She let out a dramatic sigh.
“You know how terrified I am of being alone. You’ve got Jack.”
“Knew you’d say yes! You’re the best!”
Linda hung up without even asking if it really suited me.
I stood up and went to the kitchen to grab my bag. Jack didn’t lift his head.
“I am going to Linda’s. Again.
Her kids can’t watch themselves.”
Jack stretched lazily.
***
Linda’s house was quiet. The kids were already asleep. I sat on the couch, holding a mug of tea in my hands.
I glanced at the clock. Two in the morning. Linda had been gone for seven hours.
She could at least text.
I got up to check on Billy — he was tucked in tight. Cindy was hugging her old stuffed monkey, breathing softly through her tiny mouth.
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