Behind Closed Doors

CHAPTER 8

Young Mark Smith played with his toys in the middle of the sitting room. His mom and dad were not home yet. His dad worked full-time in a corporate office while his mother was a housewife. He took up the toy plane and flew it across his face giggling. He was about to pick up his superman action figure before he heard a knock on the door. The five-year-old stood up and ran to the door.

"Coming," he said. He got to the door but couldn't peek to see who it was so he opened it instead. He saw his mother with a strange man.

"Mummy" he hugged her, ignoring the man by her side. Mark had a striking resemblance with his mother. It was easy to tell that he was her son. "Welcome home mummy," he said tightening his grip on her.

"My sweet boy Mark," she said patting the little boy's head softly. "Hope you didn't make any trouble when I was gone," she said walking into the house with the man.

Mark shook his head happily "I only played with my toys"

She looked around the house and back at the little boy. "Your father is not home right?" She asked to confirm.

Mark nodded.

"Who is that mummy?" He asked curiously pointing at the older man who stood behind his mother.

"That is our new electrician," she said to him. "He's coming to fix the air conditioner in I and your father's bedroom" she smiled. "Isn't that right?" She turned to the huge man.

"Yes indeed, Mrs. Smith" the man replied.

"He looks big and scary," Mark said with fear. "What about Mr. Well?"

"Mr. Well is unavailable right now" Mrs. Betty Smith, his mother, responded.

The man squeezed Betty's arm and she looked at him.

"Mark honey, please stay here, don't come into daddy and mommy's room on any account" she patted his head. "I would see you soon just study some bible verses I gave to you earlier" she walked away with the man. Mark wasn't sure but he saw the man put his hands around his mother's waist and give her a quick peck. He stared at them until they were out of sight.

I hope he fixes the air conditioner. Mark thought to himself before he continued playing with the toys.

$&@&&@#

Pastor Joe Smith walked into the house taking off his coat. He looked in the mirror hanging on the wall in the passage and adjusted his hair. He looked very gloomy It was the Christmas season and it snowed heavily last night so the city was still freezing. Thirteen-year-old Mark ran to hug his father.

"Welcome home dad!" He said resting his head against his father's chest. Joe patted his son's head

"Thank you, son," he said and began walking into the living room. Mark noticed the anger in his father's voice as he spoke. He followed his father into the living room and they both met Betty, Mark's mother, setting up the Christmas tree.

"Mum and I were decorating the tree. We thought it would relieve you of all the stress of decorating it this year" Mark said picking up a toy from the floor.

"Welcome home, Sugar," Betty said hanging up the decoration in her hands.  Joe didn't respond to her. He just stood staring at this woman he called his wife.

"I want to talk Betty" Joe demanded. "Now"

Betty paused what she was doing and looked up at her husband standing beside her son.