I knew something had changed with Alice before she ever said a word. It had been going on for about three months. At first, it was small things. She started taking her phone everywhere, even when she walked across the house for a glass of water. She began putting it face down on the table.
If someone called while we were together, she would step into another room before answering. Then came the evenings out. There were more of them than before. Dinner with friends, work events, drinks after work. Things that had never seemed important enough to mention suddenly became regular parts of her week.
I didn't accuse her. I watched. Alice and I had been married for 15 years. I knew her habits better than anyone. When someone has been beside you that long, you notice when their routine changes.
The biggest change wasn't her phone or the late nights. It was the way she looked at me. She used to look at me when I spoke. Now sometimes she looked through me. One Friday night, she asked me to take her to dinner.
That alone surprised me. We drove downtown to a restaurant on the upper floor of an old hotel overlooking the Chicago River. The windows stretched across the entire dining room, and the city lights reflected off the water below. Alice had always liked places like that. When we sat down, I noticed she had dressed more carefully than usual.
Black dress, small gold earrings. Her hair was done perfectly, but she barely touched her water. I looked at her. You wanted to talk? She nodded.
The waiter came over and we ordered. I asked for a steak. Alice ordered salmon. As soon as the waiter walked away, she took a slow breath. Peter, I need to tell you something.
Go ahead. She looked at the table. I haven't been happy for a long time. I leaned back. How long?
She hesitated. More than a year. I nodded. Okay. She looked up almost surprised by how calmly I said it.
There is someone else. I didn't move. What's his name? Thomas. I waited.
Thomas Reed. How long? She swallowed. five months. That number told me something. Her behavior had changed three months ago, but the relationship had started two months before that.
So, she'd been hiding it from me longer than I'd realized. Does he know you're married? Yes. And you plan to leave? Alice stared at me.
I think I want to. I nodded again. She seemed uncomfortable with my reaction. That's all you're going to say? What do you want me to say?
I don't know. Something like what? Like you don't want to lose me? I looked at her for a few seconds. Alice, you just told me you found another man.
Her eyes hardened slightly. I didn't plan for this to happen, but it did. Thomas makes me feel different. Different how? Seen?
Wanted? Excited? I gave a short nod. Then you should go find out what that means. She stared at me.