Postal Services

Half Truths and Lies No More

Tall dark and handsome, the words that describe the man of my dreams. The man that came to my door that one evening and stole the loyalty I had for my husband away from me. He's the man that made my entire life a lie; a lie that I have lived for 4 years now. The only thing that keeps me from returning the package given to me is the fact that it was a personal delivery from the man himself.

Four years have passed since that night. The night I spent with him. I am constantly reminded of my infidelity to my husband, yet I have never desired to tell him the truth. I love him. I need him. We need him. I glanced over at the boy curled up on the cushion of the leather arm chair with a blanket draped over him. His dark hair sat tousled and knotted atop of his head, his mouth squished into an O shape as he lay sleeping with his face pressed against the armrest.

He looks so much like his father did. As hard as I try to forget, I can't because of the 3 year old boy that is my son. That is mine and the mailman's son. Brad has no clue. I lied to him! I lied to my own husband saying that my son was his! I just didn't want to bring my son into a world with no father, and having to live in a tiny grungy apartment with neighbors that may or may not be crazy, with no other safety than what a single mother that works all of the time can give. That is why I lied. Brad would be so hurt and angry that I did this to him... and that is why I am doing this.

I walked across the dark wood of the floors towards my sleeping boy. Brushing the hair out of his face, I picked him up and his arms and legs wrapped around me.

"Momma," he slurred.

I kissed his head, "What is it, hun?"

"Are we leaving tonight?"

I walked down the hall filled with family pictures of the three of us and stopped to push open the door that read 'Cameron' and stepped through.

"I'm not sure, we will have to see when dad gets home," I told him softly, as I settled him into his bed. He snuggled deeper into his sheets and fell asleep once again. I haven't told Cameron anything. I didn't want to worry him, I only told him that we may need to go on a little trip for just the two of us. Just in case things ended badly.

The front door rattled, and I hastened to shut Cameron's bedroom door and make my way to the living room. I stood by the glass coffee table twisting and pulling at my fingers as I waited for Brad to step through the doorway.

"Hey babe!" he called to me as he swung the door shut. He made his way over to me and kissed me on the lips.

"How was work today?" I asked nervously.

"As boring as usual," he replied turning on his heel to set his brief case beside the kitchen island and set his keys on the counter. He didn't seem to sense my anxiety, so I decided it was a good sign. I sat on the edge of the dark leather couch cushion and waited for Brad to sit down next to me.

He was leaned against the kitchen island loosening his tie and shoving a muffin into his mouth. He had short blonde hair, gelled into the sleek style of an office worker and was wearing a navy blue business suit with a red patterned tie.

He always teased about how Cameron had no similar traits to him, he always joked around about him belonging to the milkman or the mailman instead of himself, and every time he did my heart would freeze up; because Cam did belong to the mailman. And I finally decided I was going to tell him. Tonight.

"Brad," I started as he came towards me with muffin crumbs clinging onto his suit jacket. He sat down beside me still chewing, and I brushed the crumbs off gently with my fingertips.

"Brad, I-I have to tell you something I should've told you a long time ago," I began with hesitation. He sat up straighter and his brow wrinkled in confusion.

I took a deep breath and blew it out. And did it again. I can't do it.

"Avery," he said, "Just breath! It's me! It can't be that bad!" he smiled a small smile.

Tears pooled in my eyes but I looked up towards him, "It I that bad. But I need to tell you now. I need to," I took a final breath. The silence hummed between us. "Cameron isn't yours."

He stared at me. He studied my face and said "Pardon me?"

I looked down at my lap and allowed the tears to fall.

"Of course he's my kid! We were married when you conceived him!" he argued and stood from the couch.

I shook my head and tears shook free from my face. The droplets landed on my faded jeans.

"You've got to be kidding me!" He said pleadingly, he grabbed my hands in his, his tone of voice urging me to look him in the eye. From behind teary eyes I examined his face, the way his eyebrows arched in anxiety, the way his mouth was flattened into a thin line, and finally the way his eyes stared pleadingly into mine.

"He isn't yours," I said once again, my voice wobbling, "I-I wasn't loyal to you, "I continued in broken sobs. His hands dropped mine as if they suddenly caught fire, and backed away from me.

"I can't believe you. You're my wife! I should be able to trust you!" He yelled angrily from across the living room. "Who was it? Do I even want to know?!" he fisted his hands in his hair.

I quickly swiped at the currents running down my face, "It wasn't anyone important, it was a huge mista—"

"You're right," he snapped, "It was. Who was it Avery?"

My mouth quivered trying to hold back the sobs that were sure to come out. My lips parted once, and a heavy shaking breath leaked past. I sucked in a final breath, "It was a UPS delivery man."

A betrayed choking sound shot from his throat. He then turned and grabbed his keys from the counter and stormed towards the front door."We are done." He spit towards me before slamming the door with an echoing rattle.

My elbows rested on my knees while my hands cradled my face. The man I was married to for 5 years just ended everything. Everything we have ever had is now done. My body heaved in silent sobs, I'm going to have to leave. The house is his, the cars are his; he's the one who supported the entire family.

I stood from the couch and swiped at the tear trails left on my face. I had a feeling this was coming, and I have to stay strong for Cameron. Determined, I strode into what used to be our bedroom and pulled out two suitcases from underneath our king sized bed. I frantically shoved clothes into the compartments and snatched pictures of Cameron and myself off of the walls. I carefully wrapped Cameron's baby albums in clothes and buried them inside of the suitcase. Sneaking into my sons room, I pried open his drawers and threw clothing items into his own suitcase, and carefully picked up his favorite toys and squished them inside as well. I wheeled the suitcases next to the front door and grabbed my phone out of my back pocket to call for a taxi.

I crouched next to Cameron's bed and stroked his hair back off of his forehead. He rolled onto his side and squinted in my direction.

"It's time to leave sleepy boy," I said in a playful voice, hoping to disguise my worry and pain.

"Where are we going?" he asked as he rubbed the tiredness from his eyes.

"I'm not sure yet, we are going to go on an adventure together," I replied. I scooped him up into my arms and wrapped a fuzzy blue blanket around him. He rested his head on my shoulder and closed his eyes. I continued out of his room and down the hall and stopped beside the kitchen counter. I twisted the warmed silver around my finger and yanked it off, smacking it down onto the counter. He can keep everything he's ever given to me and I'll take what's mine.