“You should.”
“I mean us.”
“No.”
He looked genuinely shocked.
I think Mark believed thirty-one years gave him protection.
As though history itself guaranteed forgiveness.
Daniel stood.
He removed his wedding ring.
Placed it on the table.
Jenna stared at it.
“I love you.”
Daniel looked at her.
“I believe you think you do.”
“Please don’t leave.”
He swallowed.
“You left first.”
Then:
“You just kept sleeping next to me.”
He turned toward Mark.
“I hope she was worth losing me.”
Mark’s face collapsed.
Daniel walked out.
Jenna followed him into the driveway.
Crying.
Begging.
I stayed at the dining table with Mark.
The roast was getting cold.
Finally, he said:
“You’re enjoying this.”
I looked at him.
“No.”
And I meant it.
“This is the worst week of my life.”
“Then why are you so calm?”
“Because if I start screaming, I give you something to focus on besides what you did.”
