Page 93 of That Friendzone Feeling
“Yeah, some charity ball affair organized by a bunch of soccer players’ wives she’s friends with.”
“Aball?”Ichuckle. “Doesn’tsound like your kind of thing.”
“ItmakesLouisahappy.”
Ah, that explains it.Fora strong, independent, self-made man,Tomfolds as easily as a paper bag to his wife’s every wish and whim.Butthat might be because she sulks like a five-year-old whenever she doesn’t get her own way.
Idon’t really want to do this when he’s in a hurry, though. “It’sokay.Let’schat when you have more time.”
“Ihave time.She’llbe ages doing her hair and makeup.Whereare you?Soundslike you’re in the car.”
“Yeah, spent the night atMaggieandJim’s.Onmy way home now.Sothought we could talk.”
“Okay.Hitme.Whatis it?”
Thehighway of strip malls stretches out ahead of me asIpass the “GoodbyeNewHampshire.WelcomeToMassachusetts!” sign.
Myheart picks up the pace, and for a momentIconsider changing my mind, keeping everything to myself.ButI’vemade two big decisions in the last twenty-four hours.I’mcertain both of them are right, and this is the first one.
Ijust need to open my mouth and plow forward.
“There’ssomethingIwant to get off my chest.It’sbeeneating me alive for years.AndIthink you have a right to know.”
“Thatsounds big.”
“Yeah, it is.”Iswallow hard. “It’sabout the nightMomandDaddied.”
Tomis silent for a moment.
“Goon.”Hisvoice has changed tone—more serious, with a hint of dread.
“Thething is…”
Thisreally isn’t just me selfishly trying to unburden myself, is it?Hedoes deserve to know.
Isqueeze the steering wheel. “Well, it’s awful, andIhate myself for it.”There’sno going back now. “ButImade them late that night.”
There’sa second of silence. “Withthe pretend bellyache, you mean?”
Heknows?
“Youknow?Howdid you know that?”
“Erm.Well.Iwas there, remember?”He’sbaffled. “Howcould you thinkIdidn’tknow?”
“Butyou can’t have known whatItoldMom.Shewas in my bedroom.”
“Yeah, but she’d been in there with you so longIwondered what was going on.Yourdoor wasn’t shut, soIlistened outside.”
Everythinginside my head spins in a downward spiral.
“Youwere listening?”Irepeat, likeI’mtrying to explain it to myself.
Carsflash by me on both sides.Everythingin my peripheral vision is a blur.Thisisn’t safe.
“Holdon,Tom.Ineed to pull over.”
I’llbe on a long highway between fields in a minute.Thisis my last chance to stop and get myself together.
