Stitches

“If it meant something, she shouldn’t make a hobby of fucking other men and making him look like an asshole. This wasn’t the first time she did it. Apparently she cheated at least two other times.”

Moira stands, shaking her head and walking over to the counter. She grabs her phone and starts scrolling.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m calling him. We need to make sure he isn’t alone, and if he is, he knows he doesn’t have to be. He should come over and spend the evening with us.”

I push back my chair and stand, sighing. “That won’t help, Moira.”

“Why not?” she flings back, ignoring me and tapping her screen before bringing the phone to her ear.

“Because his marriage just fell apart; he doesn’t want to see us enjoying ours.”

“So I’ll ignore you and pay attention to him,” she says. “You get my attention all the time. Griff needs us now.”

I walk up behind my loving wife and wrap my arms snugly around her waist. “I love you.”

Caressing my hand, she tells me, “I love you, too.”

I wait there, holding her. I can hear the phone ringing and ringing, then it clicks and goes to voice mail.

He ignored her call.

She waits for his voice mail message, then says brightly, “Hey Griff, it’s Moira. Sebastian and I were just bumming around at home tonight and we wanted to see if you were busy. If not, you should come over and hang out with us this evening. We already had dinner but there are lots of leftovers. I could make us some drinks and we’ll all watch a movie together like old times. If you’re interested, we will be waiting. Hope to see you soon. Bye!”

I smile as she ends the call, then I grab her jaw and turn her face toward me so I can kiss her. “You’re a good friend.”

“Griff is family,” she states.

I caress her face approvingly. “Agreed.”

“I hate that he’s alone and sad right now. It just breaks my heart. I think it might be even worse if he’s not alone and sad. I’m so mad at Ashley right now; I can’t believe she did this to him. I know she has her bad habits, but I never thought she’d take it this far.”

I’m obviously pissed at Ashley, but I’m also worried I embarrassed Griff. It’s thoughtful that Moira wanted to reach out—natural, given their

friendship, but it was also transparent. When he gets that message, he’ll know I told her. I probably shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t keep it from her, either. We don’t have that kind of relationship. Moira and I don’t have secrets.

It takes about three minutes for him to text me. One word: Asshole.

I text right back, “Just stop sulking and come over.”

He doesn’t answer.

“There’s no reason to feel bad. It isn’t your fault Ashley’s a slut. It doesn’t make YOU look bad, it makes HER look bad.”

“Would you stop with the fucking name-calling?”

My eyes widen with surprise. “No. Slut, tramp, cocksucking daughter of a fucking whore. I’ll keep going. Do not defend her. Fuck that bitch. If you haven’t already, call Carrie tomorrow and set up an appointment. Get rid of her ass.”

“So I can sit in the shadows and watch you live your perfect life with your perfect fucking love and your perfect wife? I’ll pass.”

“Don’t be like that,” I text back. “We both love you and neither of us wants you to be alone right now.”

“I’m always alone,” he sends back.

I stare at that one for a minute before sending back, “You don’t have to be.”

“Seems like I do,” he sends back.