Page 48 of Pity Parade

“Dead?”

“I wish. He’s cheating on me.”

“Your husband is having an affair?” While I know it’s possible for anyone to cheat, Shelby’s husband would honestly be the last person I’d expect it from. He’s always seemed so committed to his family.

“He and the kids are planning a trip with some woman named Bridget and her kids.”

Wait, what? “Start at the beginning,” I tell her.

“Allan and the kids are going to the Bahamas like they do most summers. I just overheard my husband on the phone telling this Bridget person that he was very excited she and her spawn will be joining them.” I’d bet a million dollars that Allan did not use the word “spawn.” That one has Shelby written all over it.

“So, you’re saying Allie and Dylan already know about this relationship?” Nothing about this conversation makes any sense. Shelby’s children are only eight and twelve.

“They must if they know that Bridget and her creatures are going on vacation with them.”

“Did you ask Allan about it? It sounds to me like this might just be some kind of misunderstanding.”

“I asked.”

“And?”

“He said that Bridget has a daughter Allie’s age, which is how he met her.”

“That sounds plausible. I mean, Allan is the stay-at-home parent. He’s bound to meet more parents than you do.”

“Don’t be naïve, Heath. If this were you and your wife was going on vacation with another man, what would you think?”

I’m not going to fuel her fire, so I ask, “What did Allan say?”

“He said he’d mentioned to Bridget that he and the kids were going to the Bahamas and when he told her about the place where they stay, she said that sounded like someplace she and her children would love to go.”

“That’s sounds perfectly innocent, Shelby.”

“Except that my husband asked her to join them and assured her there was enough room in the house he rented for all of them.”

Ah, the gray territory. “Did he admit he was having an affair?”

“Oh, I don’t think he’s sleeping with her yet.”

“Then he’s not cheating.”

“I think he’s planning on starting something while they’re away. As far as I’m concerned, intent equals guilt.”

I move over to the glider that Trina just vacated and ask, “Have you ever suspected Allan of cheating before?”

“No.”

“Then why do you think he’s on the verge of doing so now?” Even though Shelby has a way with drama, I would not classify her as delusional, so I’m guessing she has a basis for her concerns.

“Because the house they rent only has three bedrooms. Two upstairs and the master downstairs. I assume the kids will all sleep upstairs.”

“And you think Allan is going to play house with another woman while your kids are under the same roof?”

“I think he’s going to pretend to stay on the couch,” she tells me. “And he’ll make sure that’s where he is when they get up.”

“If that’s true, what are you going to do about it?”

“What can I do?” she demands heatedly. “You’ve gone off and left me on my own to handle the skyscraper project, so I guess I’ll just stay in Chicago and wait for my marriage to end.”

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