suggested connection: son’s best friend, neighbor’s kid staying with them, exchange student, stepson. anything along those lines.
She hadn’t wanted to believe her eyes at first, looking at the crumbled receipt, but it was the final piece of evidence she’d found over the last few weeks that pointed to her husband having an affair and then it had all been too much for her. Pouring herself a large glass of wine, she knocked the liquid back, and refilled the glass. She felt she deserved the indulgence. The wine helped a little, but it didn’t stop the tears. Sitting alone at the dinner table, she sniffled and drank, making it to glass number four before she heard footsteps descending the stairs. Startling, Brooke sat up, her hands lifting to wipe the tear tracks. Bleary eyes looked to them, bloodshot and glassy with unshed tears. “Did you need anything sweetie?”












