The Lie of Marriage

My daughter, Lily, turned two. I’d bought her a bunch of presents and was excited to get home, but when I walked through the door, she was cold, gone.

The security footage showed my wife, Sarah, getting a phone call and rushing out, leaving a bag of opened almonds behind. Lily must have gotten into them. She had a severe allergy. She was found having a horrible reaction, rolling around in agony, calling out for "Daddy" before passing away.

I got the death certificate from the hospital, but I still couldn’t reach Sarah. Finally, I found her in a private room at some club. She looked at me, totally casual.

“Mike, Chris landed this huge deal, and we’re celebrating, you know? Don’t be a downer.”

My palms were burning, but I forced a smile. "Of course not, hon. I just came to let you know we’re done."

I never contacted Sarah again.

She gave me one token phone call before heading off to more of Chris’s victory parties. My mom got really sick after Lily died.

After getting things settled with the funeral arrangements back home, I went back to the house I shared with Sarah.

I opened the door, and there was Chris sprawled on the couch, playing with the lucky charm I had gotten Lily. My wife, my own Sarah, was snuggled up right next to him.

In her eyes, I saw what I must look like now: beard scruffy, worn out, a complete mess.

"Mike, you just took off without a word? Seriously?" Sarah said, all annoyed. "You'd think a grown man would have better control of his temper.”

I walked over to Chris and snatched the charm out of his hand. This belonged to Lily, it wasn’t his to mess with.

As I turned towards the bedroom, Chris sneered. “Hey, Mike, I just thought it looked cool and wanted to get one for my niece, man, no need to get so worked up, right?"

I didn’t even give him the time of day.

“Take a good look, and get the hell out.”

Chris looked embarrassed.

"Mike! Chris has helped you out a lot, no need to be so hostile.” Sarah chimed in, getting in my face.

Helped me?

I scoffed.

Chris and I had interviewed for the same company. I thought he seemed like a hard-working guy. After he got canned from his old job, I brought him on board at my company.

Turns out he was working hard at something else.

I turned back to face Sarah. "My mom has treated you like a daughter. She's been calling you from her sick bed, and you haven’t picked up once. You don’t get to question me.”

Sarah rolled her eyes, all high and mighty. “How am I supposed to know? I’m busy! Do you know how many calls I get? I don’t have the time.”

I couldn’t even argue with her. I was going to pack up my stuff and go.

Maybe it was the first time I had actually been cold towards her, because Sarah grabbed my arm.

"Was it on purpose? What? Do you want me to get down on my knees and beg forgiveness from your mom?"

I was still holding Lily’s charm in my hand and her grip made me drop it on the floor with a clatter.

Sarah saw the look on my face, her tone softened a bit. “Okay, Mike,...