chapter 9

Christa had been in her home for two weeks now and it was terrible, Marybeth thought as they all sat at the dining table, she and Christopher on one side while Logan and Christa were on the other. To an outsider, they presented a happy family, but if one looked closer, they'd notice the cracks. How Logan and Christa were icing out Marybeth, how Christopher was playing with his breakfast and not eating it with enthusiasm the way he usually did, and how Marybeth was ignoring the two people in front of her who were shamelessly cozying up to each other. Or maybe the more obvious signs like how the two sides of the table had two different dishes for breakfast. The Renfry home was in shambles.

Logan glanced at Marybeth from the corner of his eye to check if she was watching them, but she wasn't; instead, her attention was on trying to get Christopher to eat, but he was refusing. Christa fed him a berry which he ate, making exaggerated noises trying to get Marybeth’s attention.

“Christopher.” Christa suddenly spoke, and the whole table turned to look at her. Marybeth especially stared at her warily, “It isn't good to waste food. I don’t know if your mother has taught you that.”

“I know that. I'm just not hungry.” Christopher said in response.

“Aw, that's too bad,” Christa said, making a sad face.

“I'd rather you didn't speak to my son ever,” Marybeth said.

“Don't be so uptight, I'm only making conversation. “ She responded, waving her hand dismissively, then suddenly she sat up, “I just realized something. Christa.” She pointed to herself, “Christopher.” She pointed at him, “Coincidence? I think not!" She smirked at Marybeth.

No, she couldn't have been. This woman wasn't implying that her son was named after her, was she? She turned to Logan, who had insisted on the name, and he looked away, refusing to make eye contact with her. Her eyes widened in realization. He did! He had named her baby after his first love. How could she have been so oblivious to such an obvious thing?

“Mommy?” Christopher tapped her, “Are you okay?”

“Mummy's ok honey. Don't worry.” She offered him a small smile, which he returned, albeit hesitantly.

“Stop acting like that's the most shocking news in the world, I mean it was quite obvious you know.” She grabbed another berry smirking at her as she ate it.

“Hmmm, well, it doesn't matter anyway.” Marybeth said, “A name is a name, it's the person that owns it that matters and you don't. “ She said, staring straight at Christa's gaze unflinching. Then she turned to Christopher, “Are you done, baby? Let's go to the park. Get away from the boring people in this house.”

Together they left for the park.

“I don't matter?” Christa scoffed, “I don't matter? Yeah right, lie I'm the one whose husband brought in another woman to live with them.” Then she turned to Logan, “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Like what?” He responded absentmindedly, scrolling through his phone.

“I don't know, but you should have tried defending my honor or something. “

He chuckled at that.

“What's so funny?”

“I'm sorry, it's just you came into a matrimonial home with the plan to steal the husband and you're talking about honor. That's what is funny.” He responded.

“Why did you say it like that? You're making it sound like I came up with the plan all by lonesome. We planned this together because we want to be together. Or is that not the plan anymore?” She asked gazing at him, her eyes searching for an answer.

“Of course it still is.” He responded giving her a peck on the lips, “The plan hasn't and will not change.”

“Good.” She said, smiling at him.

True, he omitted the fact that the plan he was talking about was completely different from the plan she had in mind, but it didn't matter; everything would work out the way he wanted it to.

At the park, Marybeth sat watching as Christopher ran around playing with his friends.

“Not too fast, okay!” She called out to him. Her hand gripped his inhaler tightly, her body ready to dash to his side if need be.

She couldn't believe her baby was named after Logan’s lover-it didn't matter how much they tried to deny it, it was obvious they were involved with each other. The divorce papers had arrived just the day before, and she had carefully hidden them deep in Christopher's room. She couldn't risk Logan or Christa finding it, who knows what they'd do. For now, Toto's room had enough space for it.

She looked at her son again, now on the swing laughing wildly. It was good that she brought him out of that house. Ever since Cjrista moved in, it was like he was folding in on himself becoming a mere shadow of his former happy self. She decided then that she would do whatever it took to make sure she got custody of her son, because he was hers now, not the Renfrys’, not Logan's, just hers.

“Oh, Mrs. Renfry!” A voice called out to her, its owner taking a seat beside her.

She turned to face the woman who looked vaguely familiar

“Hello. I'm sorry, do I know you? You look familiar. “

“Yes, we met at your husband's office the other day, I bumped into you when you stepped off the elevator.”

“Oh, oh. Hi!” She responded by adding more familiarity to her greeting. “How are you?”

“Oh, I'm good, thanks for asking. How are you? How's home?”

“It's fine. I'm fine. Just brought my son to the park to let him have fun.”

“Ah, yes it is important that children go out into nature. How's your husband?”

That question made Marybeth pause. It was so sudden and intentional that it felt like there was a hidden message behind it.

“My husband? He's fine, why?”

“Oh, I was just asking. I remember you wanted to see him that day I ran into you.”

“Yes, that’s true. That day you ran from the direction of his office, you said he was… in a … meeting.” She stopped. Her mind was working now- When she entered the office, Christa had come out of the bathroom, so there was no way anything could have happened. So that could only mean they are about to start but they must have heard her when she fell. She turned to the familiar stranger seated beside her, “What did you hear in that meeting?”

The woman gazed at her sadly, “I'm sure you already know.”

Marybeth slumped her head down in disappointment. She did know. Her husband didn't have the decency to be discreet even at work

“I also heard something else, though,” the woman offered.

“What did you hear?” Marybeth asked.

“Your husband wants to get rid of you so he and Christa can play happy family with your son. But he wants to wait till he is older and more self-sufficient.”

“I see. Thank you. What's your name?”

“My name isn't important, I'm just glad I could help you.”