Working Late

MFtS

Photo courtesy of Barbara W. Beacham

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What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive. These were words that Andrew knew but had never truly understood.

It began easily enough, with a phone call. “Wendy, honey; I have to work late tonight. Handleman needs that presentation first thing in the morning…”

“Yeah, I know he said next week…”

“I’m not sure what changed either. I’ll be home as soon as I can…”

“Love you too.”

Instead of Power Point and slide shows however, it was cocktails with Lenore, from Marketing.

Drinks and stolen kisses.

One deception begets four more. Soon it’s difficult to keep track of the stories, excuses, and lies. Andrew slides down the neck of a bottle and still more deception ensues.

Then one July night, over dinner, Lenore tells him she’s expecting. He chokes on his food and bolts from the room.

The very next night, Wendy turns down a glass of red and says, “Andy, I’m pregnant.”

He’s beginning to understand.