Angela was standing in the hallway holding a package. Your birthday gift arrived. I looked at the box. What is it? She smiled.
You'll find out at the party. I nodded. Can't wait. For once, that wasn't a lie. I was already certain the party would be the last night I called Angela my wife.
At 8:00, the Harborview Club had a private room overlooking the marina, and by 8:15, nearly 30 people had arrived. Angela looked completely relaxed. She wore a black dress and moved through the room greeting everyone, laughing, touching my arm whenever someone approached us. You're quiet tonight, she whispered. I'm listening.
To what? Everything. She gave me a strange look, then smiled for the guests. My friend Samuel arrived a few minutes later. He gave me a quick nod from across the room.
Everything was ready. Angela's parents were there, a few of her closest friends were there, several people from her office had come, too. And then, I saw Jacob. He walked in alone. Angela noticed him immediately.
Her face changed for half a second before she recovered. She walked over to him. I stayed where I was. They spoke quietly for less than a minute. Then Jacob looked across the room at me.
Our eyes met. He looked uncomfortable. Angela returned to my side. Why are you staring? I'm not.
You are. I looked at her. He's here. She smiled. He's my friend.
Of course. At 9:00, Angela stood and tapped her glass. The room quieted. She gave a short speech thanking everyone for coming. Then she looked at me.
Most of you know Tom and I have been married for 7 years. A few people smiled. Angela walked toward me. And he's always been very serious about birthdays. I said nothing.
She reached into a small handbag and pulled out an envelope. I wanted to give him something, too. She handed me the envelope. I opened it. Inside was a handwritten note.
I read it once, then I looked at her. You want me to read this out loud? She smiled. If you want. I unfolded the paper.
Her words were simple. She had written that for her birthday, she wanted freedom to spend one night with another man. Then she said it out loud herself. I want a night with another man as a gift for my birthday. The room went silent.
Angela looked around nervously, then laughed. I'm serious. Someone at the table shifted in their chair. She turned back to me. Tom and I talked about this.
No, I said. Her smile froze. We talked about you asking. I thought you'd understand. I understood perfectly.
Her voice dropped. Then give me what I asked for. I looked toward Jacob. He immediately shook his head. "I didn't know she was doing this in front of everyone."
Angela snapped. "Jacob, don't." I looked back at my wife. You wanted honesty tonight. She swallowed.
Yes. Then let's be honest. I reached into my jacket and placed a folder on the table. Angela stared at it. What's that?