“It’s been a slow day. Sarge told me to get home early and have… family time.”
My wife just walked over and kissed my cheek like she hadn’t been kissing another man 30 minutes ago.
“Smells like musk,” I muttered. “Hm? I didn’t hear that?” she asked, glancing up.
“Nothing,” I said. “I’m actually just exhausted. I’ll fetch Eli from school after I grab some coffee.”
She nodded and walked away without another word.
That night, Lauren slept with her arm across my chest. I stared at the ceiling, counting seconds and truths, and decided I would not let this break me. “This will not affect Eli,” I promised myself in the dark.
Every few months, I host a barbecue in our backyard. It’s not a formal tradition or anything — it’s just something that grew over the years because Lauren and I wanted our families to be as close to our son as possible. “It takes a village, Aar,” Lauren said once.
“It’s a good thing, inviting everyone to our home. Eli needs to see a stable and secure family environment.”
My dad, Nathan, always comes. My sister, Anna, and her husband, Cameron, always bring dessert and sarcasm.
Our closest friends show up with their kids, food, and lawn chairs. And Jake? He never misses it.
So, that Wednesday, I sent the usual text to everyone.
“BBQ this Saturday at our place. Come hungry!”
Lauren looked at me from across the kitchen counter and smiled. “Oh, finally,” she said.
“I know you’ve had intense shifts recently, but it’s been a while since we’ve done this.”
Jake replied with the same old enthusiasm:
“Wouldn’t miss it, brother. I’ll bring beer.”
Saturday afternoon came with blue skies and just enough heat to make the lemonade taste better. Eli ran barefoot through the yard, squealing as our neighbor’s Labrador chased him in circles.
My in-laws, Cassidy and Marcus, arrived early with two pies and polite conversation, asking Lauren about work and whether she’d learned any new recipes. My father manned the cooler like it was his designated job. Anna cracked jokes about my apron, and Cameron helped me flip the burger patties.
Jake arrived last. He came in carrying a case of beer and a crooked smile. He hugged Lauren.
He shook hands with her father, and then he turned to me. “You look tired, Aar,” he said. “Everything okay?
You’re sleeping properly, man?”
I kept my eyes on him. I smiled at him, too. It almost felt natural.
“Just been thinking about that robbery call last week,” I said. “That one with the kid’s bedroom… I keep thinking about the muddy footprints all over it.
They stepped right on his Buzz Lightyear. Crushed it flat. It still bugs me because Eli had a toy like that too…”
Jake’s face changed just a bit.
His voice lowered. “Yeah,” he said. “That one stuck with me too.”
I nodded and turned back to the grill.
Later, when the ribs were done and everyone had a drink in hand, I stepped toward the center of the yard and cleared my throat. Eli and the other kids were already sitting in the living room, eating on the floor while watching cartoons. “Can I say something?” I asked.
Chairs creaked as people turned toward me. A few people nodded. Someone chuckled, probably expecting a dad joke or a toast.
I lifted my glass slowly, watching Jake out of the corner of my eye. He was leaning against the cooler, one foot crossed over the other, casual as ever. “I just want to say how grateful I am for family,” I began.
“And for the people who became family along the way.”
Lauren caught my eye and blew me a kiss. She was standing beside her mother, both of them holding plates of food. My wife looked so calm, like she wasn’t walking through a house of matchsticks with a lighter in her back pocket.
“I’ve worked with the same man for 11 years,” I continued. “I’ve trusted him with my life more times than I can count. And we’ve seen things most people never will.
The worst of people… but sometimes, the best of people too.”
Jake raised his beer toward me, that easy grin still plastered across his face. “I brought him into my home,” I continued, looking Jake dead in the eye.
“I introduced him to Eli when he was only two hours old. I called him my brother. I shared everything with him — my highs and lows.”
Then I let the next words fall clean and sharp.
“And apparently, so did my wife.”
It took a few seconds for the words to register. And then the silence of realization dawned; a stillness taking over my backyard. Lauren’s fork dropped to the grass.
Her smile vanished so fast that it left a shadow. “Aaron, man —” Jake began. “I came home early on Tuesday,” I said.
“I walked in through the front door and saw the two of you. In my kitchen.”
“Aaron… please.
Let me explain,” Lauren said, stepping forward, tears already brimming in her eyes. “Look, we should talk,” Jake said, moving toward me quickly. “We should talk — just the two of us.
Maybe Lauren, too. But… I’ve wanted to tell you every single day for the past six months.”
Someone whispered, “Six months?” like they couldn’t believe it.
I saw my mother-in-law flinch. I saw my father-in-law stare at Lauren like he didn’t recognize her. “You looked me in the eye every night,” I said, facing Lauren.
“You kissed me goodnight and told me that you loved me, while sneaking around with the man I trusted the most… And for six months?!”
“I made a mistake, Aaron. I didn’t mean —” Lauren said, her eyes shining.
“Don’t insult me, Lauren,” I said. “I’m not stupid.”
Then I turned to Jake. “You wore a badge of honor and stood next to me.
You smiled in my face… while betraying everything we’ve built.”
“Get out,” my father boomed, standing slowly. “Sir —” Jake began.
“I just need to explain —”
“I said get out,” my father repeated. “Now,” Cameron said, stepping forward with his arms crossed. “You did this in your husband’s house?!” my mother-in-law shouted.
“Lauren! In front of your child? I am so ashamed of you.
This is not how you were raised. What is wrong with you?”
“Mom, I’m so sorry —” Lauren said, covering her face. “You should be,” Cassidy sighed.
“As your mother, I’m so disappointed in you.”
I looked at Jake and Lauren. “You don’t get to stay where you’re not loyal. You don’t get to stay where you’ve cheated.
Please, leave,” I said. “And what about Eli?” Lauren asked. “He needs his mother.”
“His mother is a cheater!” Cassidy hissed.
“That child needs more than you. You heard your husband, go, Lauren.”
My wife and my best friend left without another word. And nobody dared to follow them.
The next morning, I filed for divorce. And on Monday, I walked into the precinct and handed my request for reassignment across the desk without explaining. I didn’t have to.
The captain read the name at the top of the form, looked at me once, and nodded.
Jake was transferred out of our unit before the end of the week — upon review, the captain realized that I was the reason behind our numbers, not Jake. Lauren came back the following week to pack her things. She didn’t try to pick a fight.
I think she knew there was nothing left to say. I heard that she’d moved in with her parents, even though her mother wasn’t talking to her. That night, Eli sat beside me on the porch, legs swinging off the edge of the step.
“Dad,” he said, resting his head on my arm. “Where’s Mom sleeping now?”
“She’s staying with your grandparents,” I said, exhaling slowly. “And are we okay?”
“We’re better than okay,” I said, kissing the top of his head.
“We’re going to have pancakes for dinner tonight and sleep in the living room.”
“Is this because of Mommy’s friendship with Uncle Jake?” Eli asked, looking up at me, squinting a little. I paused, met his eyes, and told the truth the only way I could. “Some friendships aren’t what they look like, son.
But we’re going to be just fine.”
And we were. Because when everything burned down, I didn’t lose myself with it. Was the main character right or wrong?
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