She knew the question sounded ridiculous as soon as she asked. Out of all the things she could talk about she led with this. It really was almost as bad as talking about the weather, but she had to start somewhere. The best analogy she could make was that it was like entering a pool slowly to give yourself some time to get used to the water temperature. Her first question amounted to putting her big toe into the upcoming conversation.
“Yes…she has retired. You know that I haven’t seen her professionally in a couple of years, but we did stay in touch.”
Sherry realized her daughter was tossing her some softball questions and was appreciative.
Lynn then asked, “I thought you said she wasn’t that old.”
“She has a medical condition. She’s going to be alright, but her family doctor suggested she retire since her job is so stressful.” Sherry smiled nervously and added, “Guess I didn’t help her cause much, did I?”
Lynn frowned, “Guessing not.”
Sherry then said, “It was probably from watching all of those clips from the show with me.”
“She made you watch clips from the show?”
“Yes she did. Then we’d discussed my actions.”
Lynn surprised herself with her own compassion by replying, “That couldn’t have been easy.”
Sherry nodded and said, “Aside from signing the divorce papers, it was the hardest thing I ever had to do. All I could think of was…that while I was doing those unspeakable things, you and your father were home watching it on television.”
She quickly reached for her purse and took out a tissue and dabbed her eyes with it.”
“It just wasn’t dad and me, mother.”
“I know that dear, it was the rest of our family and all our friends.”
“And the rest of the country.” “Lynn jumped in.
Sherry sniffled, “Yeah…that was embarrassing alright, but it was nothing compared to what I did to you and your father. Your father especially. My God Lynn, I’m so sorry I don’t even know where to begin.”
Lynn looked surprise, “That’s the first time I’ve heard you apologize.”
“I’ve tried. Oh how I’ve tried. That was one of the reasons I tried to hold up the divorce. I just wanted to tell your father in a face to face meeting just how sorry I was. Not that I deserved that chance of course, but…” her voice trailed off.
“Sorry or not, how could you have done this to us?”
Sherry closed her eyes and began, “Let me start at the beginning. Would that be alright?”
“You’ve got the floor.”
Sherry took a deep breath and began, “You were five and had just gone back to school when I decided to keep busy by going back to work and put my college degree to good use. There was a man in my office that was really good looking and enjoyed doing things that I only dreamed of. He traveled to exotic places and ate at the finest restaurants and hob-nobbed with the elite. I was impressed and before I knew it I was flirting with him.”
“So you threw away everything for his so called Mr. Right?”
“That’s just it Sweetheart, he wasn’t even the one I had the affair with. He was just the guy that got my motor running is all. Against my better judgement I began fantasizing about having an affair. It’s ironic when I look back on it now and realize he wasn’t even interested in me and actually turned out to be a faithful husband like your dad.”