The Fake Wife

The Diner

Alison

I pushed the door, and the bell rang, announcing my arrival. The place was quiet, like in my memory, and I looked around. Nobody said anything to me, and I sat in the booth, which allowed me to see the traffic lights.

This sure was my seat and leaning my back on it, I could feel the heavy weight of the sleeping baby in my arms and the delicious smell of blueberry pancakes Jake and Tommy ate that day.

A young girl wearing a purple uniform smiled at me and filled my cup with water. "Would you like to see the menu?" She asked friendly.

I stared at her, trying to recognise her face. Did she recognise me? Her face changed to a frown and maybe she did not like the way I was staring at her. I shook my head, trying to stop the overwhelming feeling inside me.

"I would like blueberry pancakes, please, if you have them at this hour."

The girl nodded. "I'll ask, but that should be fine."

"Thank you," I said nervously.

The doorbell rang again after she left. I sat up straight and smiled as soon as our eyes met. I had called him a thousand times since I left his apartment two weeks ago and only last night, he picked up my calls.

Pat sat in the booth, not sparing me even a glance. "Why are we in this small diner?" He sounded annoyed.

"That is where Jake saw me for the first time. He told me when we were in England that I was folding napkins here when he met me."

I looked around, trying to make my brain remember where I was sitting when he found me. Jake never mentioned the spot.

"I was working in this place when we met. That means I had nothing, and I worked here to support myself. I didn't go to College; I wasn't educated like Jake and his family. Or anyone around the place we live now. And even with all those things, he still married me. Jake worries about me. I have the best doctors and clinic looking after me."

Pat finally looked at me and I continued. "Jacob is a good man and I feel terrible taking his money like I was doing. You're my brother and my responsibility, not Jake's."

My hands searched for the envelope inside my bag with everything I got so far from the shop, and I gave it to him. "I had to close my shop on Etsy. Jake needed me, too. But I got a little money from it already. Please take it."

He glanced down at the envelope in his hand but said nothing. "Jake told me he'll set up a meeting with his client and I can get more for my pictures. The only problem is the client is travelling and I will need more time to come up with the money, Pat."

"Maybe if I go with you to your work and tell them we will replace everything, and we just need time. We can resolve this misunderstanding. Perhaps we can prove you were with me that day and are innocent. Or let me talk to Jake. He can go with us there."

Pat rolled his eyes, scanning the white envelope. "He won't Sunny. How many times do I have to tell you your husband hates me? Have you told him about the baby yet?"

"I tried last night, and it didn't go well. I was scared."

He narrowed his eyes. "If he kicks you out, you won't have access to the account. Or if he accepts you, he will put a condition of you not seeing me anymore. I guarantee Sunny. Is that what you want?"

I saw the tears in his eyes and my heart hurt. "I won't last long in prison, and I'll be killed there, Sunny. Have you any idea what the men there do to small men like me? Do you want me to describe it to you?"

I shook my head. I did not want to listen to it anymore.

"But I will tell you, my darling Sister." Pat cleaned his tears and his lips quivered. "Tell will rape me and make me their little girl day and night."