Each time I returned home after such work trip, there was something different about my dog. New collar, new perfume, newstyle. Now my husband told me that he was bonding. Something did not smell right.
It was Sunday again, morning. I was driving back home after a late night shift at the cafe, with burning eyes and in my head the single thought.
Tea. Silence. Couch.The moment I unlocked the door Bella leaped upon me like a fur-covered rocket. She was my little darling white-and-caramel cocker spaniel.
That time though, she appeared airbrushed. And any grooming appointments I could definitely not have made.
What are you?!”
I went on my knees and touched her ears. Perfectly trimmed. Not more than a little pink bow in her tail. And her fur,–it is so furred!Is it perfume?
Jason is my husband who walked into the kitchen, in lounge shorts with a toaster.
Hey you are back already?
“Hi. Bella to the groomer?!”“Not really. I just left her off because I was right there. What? I’m bonding. She is in love with me now.”
He winked. I blinked. That, by the same person, who scolded last week, saying, Oh, she stinks and will not cease licking my slippers. I picked up Bella and sniffed again. Nope Not my imagination. Chanel No.5.
Your perfume? oh, is it?Jason smiled and it seemed it was all normal to him.
I misted some on her. Why? Doesn she smell wonderful?”
THE NEXT Sunday?
A pink jumpsuit with a fur lining. Bella was wearing a glittering coat that made it seem like the dog had been to a doggy photo shoot. And once more — that dear costly odour.“Okay. A dog fashion influencer then?”
I smiled, although I felt a knot in my stomach getting tighter.
All I want is just to make her feel loved when you are away. It has become his little custom now.”
Today you played football.
“Cancelled. Actually… I bailed. I would prefer to spend time with Bella than to curse away at a TV screen with guys acting like they are eighteen again.”
It is a man, who once screamed out sacrilege, when I switched off a game: it was overtime.
Something did not fit.
Next there was my business trip. Three days. At home I found Bella in a new set-up, a brilliant beige collar with a heart shaped pendant.Jason moved his hand over her head.
“Pretty, huh? The worn-out one broke. I did not want to disappoint you with something tacky.”“Wow… Sparkly… it is sparkly.”
I smiled. Forced it. Bided his time, until, finally he got in his shower.After that I took off the collar. And there within, spaced out in black marker, was the legend:
A cheater is your husband.
I froze. Bella jerked out a little yip.
“You knew. You little turn-coat. You guessed!”.I looked at the collar. And I still had it in my hands. Bella was blinking at me, free and pure.
“Well then.”
When my husband is playing games, he should have tried playing with another girl.
I had some options: either continue being crazy imagining things even more, or I would get some answers. Anything a sane, slightly paranoid female can do, I did.I purchased a dog collar camera.
Bella was sitting on the bed and I fitted the little lens into her new collar.“Sorry, baby. I understand you did not join to this. But mother requires something like the truth.”
I practiced my lines and left in front of the mirror.Oh, I am here with my mother this weekend. Stay up fool!”
A snapper Salam! on the cheek. Jason was hardly ever taking his eyes off his phone.
Perfect.
I drove two blocks and parked near a bakery and waited with my open laptop. The CCTV was unstable though it was in working condition.
I looked, and I saw fuzzy floor, shadow of Jason and then Bella, her nose… and then something was moving. She went out with him. Good. Nothing suspicious.
Until they rode in a taxi.
That is, until the auto halted before a house which I did not know.
Until a woman opens the door.She was attractive. Too pretty. Long hair, flawless skin, yoga pant, duh. And she smiled as she beheld Jason. Not only smiling-friendly. Warmly. Such as they had a routine.
Jason entered it. It was recorded with the camera that Bella had and he was walking down the long corridor and the woman behind him.
I blinked. Zoomed in. Bella then started leaping. In enthusiastic, wagging-the-tail-away style.Who you jumping to huh, who it is, anyway? I grumbled in front of the screen. I am your sole best friend you fluffy backstabber.
The camera rolled over. The television became blurred, and black.
I shut the laptop and hit it.
That is it, well.”I hung still awhile, looking at the wall. That woman… She appeared normal. Relaxed. Not like one of them slinking about.
What was the reason behind the note that she wrote on the collar? Why tell me?–if she knew about me. Why assist me as opposed to confronting him directly herself?
It all did not make sense.
Something did not fit.I returned to home and awaited. Took my bag out, poured myself some coffee and rifled bills. Looked toward the front door as though it could tell him something by itself.
Evening came. Jason didn’t. I am in my kitchen, at the table tapping my nails on the cup. Perhaps, they are spending the night together. Perhaps, it is their wedding day.Or rather I have become absolutely mad.
I was not able to wait any longer. Either I had to face him or to be crazy at that moment at my own home. I reached to my keys and my anger.
What will happen to see her smile, I open the door, instead.
I went on the same path of the taxi. I was familiar with that area. I had a friend who lived a stone throw away. After 15 minutes of waiting, I found myself in front of the house with dotted lights, shivering knees.Cook open it. To Let her pind her bi byyn.
Footsteps. The hinges on the door squeaked. There, on half a cookie in hand, was a girl, standing barefoot.
Shoot, ten, eleven. Brown eyes. She had a gap in her smile.
“Hi! You have got to be Bella mom!”
I blinked. “I’m… sorry?”
To the house she turned and yelled:
“SHE’S HERE!”
What? He is presenting me?
Then Bella bounded on by me, right into the lap of the girl, and was licking her face and wagging as though it were years since she had seen her. The girl crept up to her, and embraced her.I got new bows to her! Which of them is your favorite color choice between lilac and rose gold?”
I stiffened. The world had rocked a bit. Then Footsteps again. In the hall appeared, barefooted also, Jason with an automatic dish towel thrown over his shoulder. He recognized me, and stood still in mid-track.
“Oh! You’re… here.”“No kidding. Surprise.”
He was gazing between me and the girl. Why don t you, Ellie, honey, go show Bella the puzzle you were workin off on?
“But…”
Whereupon he said, please.She pouted, and nodded. Bella followed her at trot. I went in, with my arms crossed.
That is where you have been enjoying yourself on weekends?”
Jason sighed. I would like to explain.
I do hope so. Owing to the fact that I (as I should) have envisioned at least five distinct outcomes of this that did not have you receiving any sympathy on that porch.”He scratched at the back of his neck.
It is my daughter, Ellie.”
“Oh, Jason! And now you have to reside in two families?”
One night her mom and I. Years ago. Before us. She did not tell me. It is not until recently. She wrote a letter. said my daughter had been enquiring after me.”He peeped below. I could not believe it. To some extent, I even had a DNA test. It tested positive.”
I gaped, wondering.
She desired me to meet her. And I… I would not say no. She’s smart. Funny. She is a dog lover. And when I said that I had you… And Bella is your own…”“Go on.”
Ellie… wanted to be in at it. She began to bring tiny bows. Sprayed Bella using the mommy perfume. Beautified her and brought her to the groomer.”I pulled my arms across my chest. Her mom? Do you see her, also?”
“No. We do not even speak to each other.
I scoffed.
Jason, don t lie to me.“I’m not…”
Is she here at the moment? Tell it, as it is. Is she indoors? I have to see the woman my husband has picked because I swear.”
“Please…”I was already moving though. I walked past him with my heart beating wildly and vision blurred as I made my way to the hallway. And after that-footsteps.
The woman in the doorway showed up, carrying Ellie jacket on the one hand and a juice on the other. Bella followed her trotting along cheerily. Jason heaved a sigh.
It is Sasha. She is the nanny of Ellie.The lady smiled embarrassed.
It is just the chaos coordinator.
Ellie peeped around the bend. I stuck my hand on my forehead.
Oh God, Jason… You ought to have told me the truth. Everything.He made one step nearer.
I was to. I had simply no idea how. Each time that I tried, we were too busy, too tired, too happy, or whatever. I turned frightful.”
I gazed about at him, seeking.
Who was it then that wrote the collar note?He blinked. “Wrote what?”
“The collar. The collar message of Bella. Your boyfriend is a traitor.
Jason scowled with evident perplexity. “What? Have not seen anything like that.”
And I turned to Sasha whose brows had gone up already. She turned and glanced keenly at Ellie.
“Ellie?”The girl stood stock still half a second, then spurted past and flung herself in the arms of Jason.
Daddy, you not yet leaving me, aren you?
Jason automatically crouched to hers, and catching her, embraced her.Well no, darling. There is no way that would happen.”Ellie sniffled. “I just… I had hoped that perhaps when she got angry enough at you she would take herself away. And thou wouldst remain. With me. And perhaps mom.
Silence. Sasha moved away, and allowed them to enjoy the moment. I I remained motionless my lungs unable to fill.
That was your writing? I queried, in scarcely over a whisper.Ellie blushed, and turned. “I’m sorry. I considered it clever. I did not want to hate you. I simply… did not want to lose my Dad once again.”
Jason was still electrocuted as he touched her head with love. Kid, you don not need to lie or cheat any one to keep me. I won t go away.”
And in doing so, all the rage that I had been holding all these days dissolved into a mellower version. Not forgiveness. Not yet. But understanding. Not all families get together as you would want them. However, when you love and really love then you can still make that work.Share your thoughts about this story and tell your friends. It could make them feel great and feel good.
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