So with no pictures -no proof – all I’ve got is my word and his trust in me.
“And you’re sure it was the same guy she set you up with?” he asks.
I nod. “Yes, it was that ‘cute guy,’ Stephen.”
“That would mean…”
“Exactly,” I say.
“But how could she know? We’ve been careful.”
I shoot him a dubious look. “I distinctly recall the Maytag club, among other things.”
“Still, I’d know if she knew. Penley would be trying to kill me, not playing games.” He begins to pace, thinking out loud. His neck and face are getting very red. “She sent this guy out to dinner with you on a reconnaissance mission? I mean, the woman has balls, but we’re talking King Kong cojones here.”
“It doesn’t seem so crazy if she only suspected we were involved.”
“Trust me,” he says. “What you’re telling me is crazy no matter how you slice it.”
The word seems to hang in the air – right above my head. Crazy. Does he think that’s what I am? Also, he’s starting to get very pissed. Maybe even at me. I do not need one of your meltdowns here, Michael.
“You don’t believe me, do you?” I say.
Michael abruptly stops pacing. He comes over and takes me in his arms. “Of course I believe you,” he says. He tacks on a loving squeeze lest there be any doubt.
But there is doubt. I can hear it in his voice. I see it in his eyes. He’s not really sure what to think.
Of all the ways I thought he might react to the news, uncertainty wasn’t in the mix. I could understand his anger, and even resentment. I could tolerate a twinge of jealousy. No man likes to share a woman, regardless of whether he loves her.
Nonetheless, when the emotional dust settled, what I hoped for from Michael was that he’d see this the same way I now do – as an opportunity. No longer the only adulterer in his marriage, he won’t have to worry about being raked over the coals in a divorce settlement. Once and for all, he can do what I’ve always wanted him to do.
Dump Penley.
“So now what?” I ask.
“I want to sleep on it,” he says. He stares at me for a moment. “You’re absolutely sure it was her, though, right, Kris? You’re certain.”
“Yes,” I answer. “I saw them.”
I’m sure of it.
At least I think I am.
Chapter 78
ALL NIGHT I TOSS and turn, thinking about Penley and Stephen, and whether Michael believes me. Or for that matter whether I believe me.
The only silver lining is that I’m spared again from the dream when morning arrives. If only I could figure out how to live the rest of my life without sleep, I’d be all set.
When I arrive for work, Penley does a double take. “You forgot what day it is, didn’t you?” she says.
I smack my forehead. “You’re right, I did.”
Once every two weeks, Penley steps in for me and walks Dakota and Sean to school. I get the morning off.
Michael calls it her “guilt trip,” but I don’t think guilt has anything to do with it. If it did, it would mean she’s aware of what a bad mother she is. And about that she’s definitely clueless. Rather, in her oh-so-twisted mind, Penley probably sees subbing for me as a required sacrifice. Community service, with her children.
“Well, since you’re here,” says Penley, “the chaise cushions for the patio need to be brought out for the summer. Make sure you thoroughly clean the furniture first, okay?”
“No problem,” I say.
“And the cushions, of course.”
“Sure thing.”
She folds her arms across her Chanel gym outfit, which cost more than a month of my salary. “After I drop off the kids, I’m going for a workout. I should be home by lunch, though.”
“That reminds me,” I say, “how was your charity luncheon out in Greenwich yesterday?”
I watch her carefully, hoping Penley flinches or blinks or stammers – something that gives her away.
Instead, she’s seamless. “Oh, you know how those things are. You’ve been to one, you’ve been to them all.”
I bet.
Penley heads for her bedroom to continue getting ready, and I check on Dakota and Sean in the kitchen, where they’re finishing up their breakfast. Their mother microwaves a mean bowl of instant oatmeal.
“Hi, Miss Kristin!” they giddily say in unison. They’re surprised to see me. And happy!
“What are you doing here?” asks Sean.
“Yeah, I thought it was Mommy’s day to take us to school,” says Dakota.
“It is, honey. Silly me, I forgot.”
“But you never forget,” she says.
“Never ever, ” adds Sean.
I look at them both and smile. Kids are so smart.
They’re right. I didn’t forget.
Not by a long shot.
With a zoom lens.
Chapter 79
TEN MINUTES LATER, I follow Penley and the kids to school, hopefully at a safe distance. If any of them spots me, I’m dead. Let me change that to toast.
For maybe the tenth time I check to see that my camera is tucked safely in my shoulder bag and that the bag is actually by my side.
Up ahead, Penley, Dakota, and Sean are just past halfway to Preston Academy. It truly is a perfect opportunity for a mother to spend some quality time with her kids. Too bad Penley’s gabbing away on her cell phone, paying no attention whatsoever to Sean and Dakota.
Not that I mind. It keeps her distracted. It keeps her from looking over her shoulder.
With each step in their shadows, I can’t help thinking how strange this feels, almost like an out-of-body experience. Most every morning, that’s me up there with Dakota and Sean.
To see someone else in my place makes me realize even more how important those kids are to me. I always want to be there for them. I also know it would be selfish and wrong of me to want this if Penley was any kind of a decent mom.
We cover another block heading south and, yet again, I check to make sure I’ve got my camera.
Minutes later, I duck into a phone kiosk and watch Penley in front of the school’s gates as she practically shoos Dakota and Sean away. Amazingly, she’s still on her cell.
Is she talking to Stephen?
Is he meeting her at the gym?
“Excuse me, are you using that phone?” I hear.
The man’s voice startles me. Does it sound familiar? Actually, yes.
I turn around to see a guy in baggy jeans and a Gap T-shirt. Damn it, I know him! I haven’t seen this guy since we were in high school together. I have no idea what happened to him after school, but here he is, wandering into my nightmare.
I point at the phone. “I don’t think anyone’s using it,” I say. “You’re Harvey, right? From Concord?”
He stares at the frayed wire jutting from the receiver like a rat’s tail. “There’s a call coming for you, Kristin,” he says. Matter-of-fact, just like that.
Then the phone rings, and I literally jump. But I sure don’t answer it.
“Yeah. I’m Harvey,” he says, then he shuffles off.
“And let me guess,” I say to him. “You’re dead, right?” But Harvey doesn’t bother to answer.
I immediately turn back to Penley standing in front of the school. Only she’s not there. Oh, great.
My head turns like one of those automatic sprinklers. Not until my second three sixty do I spot her humping down Madison. Her walk gives her away. “I’m better than you,” it says with each stride. “So get out of my way!”
I hurry across the street, falling in behind her again. Now that the kids are gone, she’s off the phone. I’m shielded by the crowded sidewalk – the morning rush hour traffic – but I’m careful not to get too close.
We head south a few more blocks, and I try to remember what gym she belongs to. Is it Reebok? Equinox? Did she ever even tell me?
Anyway, I’ll find out soon enough. If I know Penley, it can’t be too much farther. Otherwise, she would’ve cabbed it, for sure.