Page 52 of The Husband Diet
‘Mom…’ he began bravely.
I watched him, my eyelids swelling with the tears that were dying to spill, and he watched me back, his own eyes glassy.
Good. Let him cry. He needed a reality check. At this point, I think we both did. I’d never been so disappointed in my whole life.
‘Why did you do it?’ I asked finally, my voice barely audible.
He drew a deep breath and looked me straight in the eye.
‘It doesn’t matter why. Just give me my punishment and let’s get it over with. I’m sorry.’
And that’s when I lost it. ‘Sorry?’ I cried. ‘Sorry? There’s a boy in the hospital because of your actions and all you can say is sorry?’
Warren looked at me with his solemn green eyes and bowed his head.
‘Why did you do it?’ I demanded, and he flinched. ‘Warren!’
My son looked up at me with the eyes of a grown-up and it scared the crap out of me.
‘I had to. He said you and Mr. Fox are sleeping together.’
I swear I felt my eyes pop. I hadn’t known my twelve-year-old son had any concept of what sex was. Hell, at thirty-four,Istill didn’t.
‘And you believe that garbage?’ I barely managed, and he shook his head vigorously.
‘Of course not, but you don’t know what it’s like at school if someone gets on your case.’
Ididn’t know?
‘You always taught me that violence isn’t the answer,’ he offered.
‘Oh, good, I’m glad you remember that – now.’ I stood up. The meeting was over. ‘You’re grounded for a month. No sports, no internet or any computer games.’
I have to tell you, he didn’t flinch.
‘Yes, Mom,’ he whispered, his hands stuffed in his pockets.
I groaned and sat down again, my forehead in my hand. Where had I gone wrong? Maybe if I’d spent less time at work, or less time daydreaming…
‘Mom?’
‘Yes?’
‘I am so sorry I disappointed you.’
‘Yes, Warren, so am I. Now go wash up for dinner and help your sister pack her school bag for tomorrow. And don’t forget her math book.’
He nodded again and went. I confess I felt a slight pang of sympathy. Warren was like me – he’d sit there and take it without ever lashing out until he could take it no more. But it wasn’t an excuse for violence.
My behavior around Julian was obviously reflecting badly on my kids. Not that I was bonking him or anything, but you know people. First, he shows up with me at the Thanksgiving play. And then we go out for a bite in public, where everyone can see us driving off in his jeep. Then he shows up at my home for coffee. Although harmless encounters as they had been, they were attracting the attention of the gossips, while only making me more and more lustful for the guy. He was only being nice and checking on me. I loved being with him, but now, for the sake of my children, I needed to avoid him.
*
A few hours later when I came out of the bathroom, Julian was there, waiting on the sofa. I sighed and padded into the living room.
‘Hi. Warren let me in,’ he said.
‘He’s going to need an ally,’ I said as I sat down next to him, my legs tucked under me. ‘How’s…?’
