The Fake Wife

Why Does He Hide Me?

Alison

As promised, Nora drove us back and gave me a thorough tour of my home. The doorbell rang, and my heart raced. I ran to the door, hoping Jake had come home early to be with us. But when I opened it, two very elegant blonde women were there, and one was holding a gift basket.

They smiled at me, and the taller woman said. "Hello, I am Sarah Michaels, and this is my friend Diana Philips. We live at the end of the street and saw many cars and people coming and going this week. We were wondering who had moved in."

The shorter woman, Diana Philips, looked at me. "This beautiful house has been closed for many years. Here, this is for you. We want to welcome you to the Riverside Community."

I took the gift basket and smiled back. It was lovely of them to come, but I did not understand what they said. Why was the house closed for years? Did we not live here before? Nora noticed my struggle and joined me at the door.

"Hello Sarah, Diana. This is my daughter-in-law, Alison Stewart. Why don't you two come in? The children are napping. We were about to have coffee."

They both came in, and Sarah said as soon as she sat on my couch. "Mrs Stewart, so lovely to see you here. I didn't know your son was married. Is that Oliver or Jacob?"

"Jacob. I'm thrilled he moved back to Riverside. They were living in New York. Alison had a car accident there, and I thought it would be best to open this house. They should stay close to family."

We used to live in New York then, but why? I have seen little of New York, but this is a much better place for the children. Why on Earth were we in New York with the boys in the first place?

"Oh Alison, darling, you are the mother of that adorable boy, Tommy. He's so intelligent for his age." I heard Diana saying, and my heart skipped a beat, proud of my boy.

"Thank you, Diana. Tommy is indeed clever, and it's Tommy and Jamie now. I have another son. He's four months old."

Sarah looked at my body. "Oh my God, look at you! You recovered from childbirth so fast. It took me years to get back in shape. I thought my husband George would start an affair with his new secretary or worse. Divorce me." She fanned herself, overwhelmed by the thought of divorce.

Sarah seemed to be very dramatic and shallow. The way she sat and talked was not like she was interested in being friends with me. Was everybody in this community like her, and would I be an outsider after they got to know me? Jake had said nothing about my friends. Did I not have any in New York?

"Tell me, Alison. Have you started your Halloween preparations yet?" Sarah asked, looking around and stopping her eyes on Nora. "Mrs Stewart, if I am not mistaken, you're hosting the party this year, right? I remember the last time you hosted in that beautiful house of yours, people talked about the party for weeks."

I looked at Nora, surprised. Nora gave me an apologetic smile. "Sorry, dear, those were the things I came here today to discuss with you."

Nora looked at the two ladies and smiled. "Ladies, Alison has amnesia because of the car accident. She came home from the hospital yesterday. Why don't you come by for a visit another time?"

Nora walked them out, and I breathed again when they left. I had so many questions inside my head, and those women asking me more questions I did not have answers to were not helping.

I felt Nora's hand on mine. "You can befriend them and their children, Alison, but you should learn that people here live for gossip. Watch what you say to them. Reveal just a little about your life with Jacob. Jake likes to keep his personal life to himself. Trust me, it won't end well if you talk too much."