2
After breakfast, Jake was off to work.
I tailed him, keeping a close eye on his every
move.
Through the windows of his office, I could see
he stayed inside all day, only seeing his male
assistant who brought him lunch, no one else
visited his office.
Figuring he’d be leaving soon, I beat him.
home.
He walked in, and just like always, started
く
making dinner.
He always said the fumes were bad for a
woman’s skin, so I was banned from the
kitchen.
Watching him chop veggies, I casually asked:
“Hey, remember what I hate the most?”
He paused, knife in mid–air.
Turning to face me, he said carefully:
“Yeah, you hate being lied to or betrayed in a
relationship.”
“You said your mom offed herself because
your dad cheated on her.”
Г
“That’s why when we got together, I promised I’d always be good to you, no matter what.”
Jake looked deep into my eyes, full of warmth
and love.
I used to eat that crap up.
I’d even handed my heart over, dreaming of
growing old with him.
But the deeper the love, the greater the
disappointment.
Last time, the ending had me convinced he
was evil.
I didn’t believe him, not anymore.
く
I swallowed the lump in my throat and
pushed:
“What if you did betray me someday?”
He grabbed a paring knife from the counter
and handed it to me, his face serious.
“If I ever betray you, you take this knife and
end me.”
His voice was dead serious, like he was
offering up his life to prove his love.
Before, I’d have fallen for that in a heartbeat.
Now, I just thought he was a damn good
actor.
If he really loved me that much. why would he
<
If he really loved me that much, why would he
kill me over a bottle of damn lube?
I didn’t say anything, just turned and left the
kitchen.
Sitting on the couch, I stared at his coat slung
over the armrest, and thought.
Last time, I’d found the lube when I went to
hang up his coat, confronted him, and got
thrown down the stairs for my troubles.
This time, I carefully grabbed the half–used
bottle and poured it all out.
Then I filled it to the brim with super glue.
Done, I put the coat back where it was.
Then, like nothing happened, I said:
“I’m going to sleep at Sarah’s tonight.”
I saw a flash of something that looked like
excitement cross his face.
But then he was all worried and not wanting
to stifle me, asking:
“Want me to drive you?”
Pretending not to notice anything, I shook my
head.
“Nah, just eat without me.”
“I won’t be back tonight.”
walked out
く
I walked out.
Jake Sullivan, you knew I hated betrayal.
Now you get to live with the consequences.
Once I was out of the house, I called my best
friend:
“Sarah, you know those reporter friends of
yours? Get them all over to the park next to
my house.”
She was taken aback, confused.
“Why do you need reporters at your house?”
I said dryly:
”
<
“I’m catching a cheater.”
