The Missing Season
Our son's birthday celebration had just come to an end when my wife of seven years smiled and asked, "What do you think about one wife having two husbands?"
"What?" I stared at her, certain I had misheard.
Before I could make sense of the question, my half-brother walked in, holding a three-year-old boy’s hand.
I was still trying to process what was happening when Nancy leaned back with casual ease.
"I asked them to come."
She reached down and took the little boy's hand, her smile impossibly gentle.
"Let me introduce you. This is my son with Julian.
"He was born the year you were stationed overseas to manage the Scott family's branch office."
The words made my mind explode, leaving it completely blank.
She calmly revealed the truth.
She and Julian had been together for four years.
"I know you've always blamed Julian for your father's death.
“I suffered through hiding them for four years out of consideration for you."
Her gaze never wavered.
"I don’t want them living in the shadows anymore. I want them here by my side."
I struggled to stay on my feet, my voice trembling as I forced out the words.
"What are you saying?"
Nancy raised a hand and gently brushed her fingertips beneath my reddened eyes.
"I just want you to be a little more generous. Don't interfere when I spend every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday with them."
After a brief pause, she added matter-of-factly, "Or you can divorce me, but our son will stay with me."
She smiled as though she were discussing nothing more important than the weather.
"I just don't care about you anymore. Even if our son stays with me, I can't promise I'll take good care of him."
Ignoring the color draining from my face, she looked at me indifferently.
"So…
"Have you decided which option to choose?"