I spent most of my morning sitting on the bed, looking at the positive pregnancy, then at the clock, then back at the test, before bursting into tears. I can't believe this. I cheated on my pregnant wife. I didn't even try calling her this morning, though I know behind all her anger she's devastated. I want to comfort her, I really do...but how? She'll never take me back after what I did. And Mamie, how could she put something in my drink that night? I didn't see it, but I know it. So much running through my mind right now, how can I handle---
The doorbell rang just as the hallway grandfather clock did its 10 'o clock chime. Sh*t. I forgot it was Sunday. Every Sunday morning when I'm in town, my mom comes over with donuts & coffee for breakfast. Basically get an update on how everything is doing & reading the newspaper, before heading to church with the rest of the family. I wonder if Hailey has called my mom already? I hope not. How am I going to break the news?
The doorbell rings a second time. I stumble down the stairs in my boxers, tears flowing down my face. Our pet mini-Chiuhauhua, Max, barks & nips at my ankles, causing me to move faster. I guess he heard what was going on last night too.
"Ouch! Max!" I say, as I make my way to the door. I knew that dog never liked me. It was always around Hailey. I open the door. My mom smiles for a second before seeing the sad look on my face.
"What's wrong?" My mom, Lynn, says, walking inside. I shut the door.
"A lot of things," I said, taking the boxes of donuts & setting them on a nearby table. I then join my mother on the couch in the living room.
"Justin," she says, automatically knowing that I lied. "Something is up."
I sigh. "Do you want the good news or the bad news?"
"Justin, just tell me," she says, with more concern. "Where's Hailey?"
"Ummm....somewhere," I reply. Hey, it was an honest answer.
She then gives me 'the look'. The "I-know-something-is-wrong-so-tell-me-now-because-I'm-your-mother" look.
I sigh again. "Well, the good news is...Hailey is pregnant."
My mom's face brightens for a second at the idea of having a grandchild. But soon grows back to a concerned look at the sight of my sad face. She grabs her coffee & takes a sip. "And the bad news?"
My eyes instantly fill up with tears again. "I... I....", I can't get the words out. How can you tell your mother, the one who taught you right, that you cheated? "...I...cheated on... her"
She drops her coffee & it spills on the brand-new carpet. My inner neat freak moves forward as if to clean it up, but I refuse. My mother has a shocked look on her face. "You what?"
I then tell her the entire story. All about Mamie, the drink, the party, Hailey's reaction, my guilt, everything. I then got ready for church, still breaking down in tears. As we were walking down the street to church, I could hear the whispering of my family walking behind me quietly telling each other the news. "Justin is getting a divorce." They didn't say more than that, most were still in shock. After our talk, My mother told me to call Hailey after church & that I needed to at least attempt to work things out. I want to talk to her, I want to work things out, I just don't know how.
As we were walking inside the half-full church, I got stares from everyone. A teenaged girl in the back was practically hyperventalating when I walked in. I try to smile, and wave, as I take my seat in the 3rd row. I get some strong stares from the elderly people nearby, I guess they know too.
I kneel down & begin to pray. "Dear god, give me the strength to work things out with Hailey."
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