After finding two plane tickets in her husband’s briefcase with his name and an unknown woman’s name, Melinda became concerned for the first time in her marriage. What happened when she arrived at their destination surprised her.

My dear, I’m sorry. Though I vowed this weekend would be just us, I must depart again. Absolutely surprising. I couldn’t refuse my boss “David informed Melinda when he got home Friday night. Melinda sat in the kitchen shrugging in despair.

Since her husband travels a lot for work, she was excited about their Westport, Washington beach walk. She missed him dearly but understood. Her employment was more solid and didn’t require travel.

It’s fine, dear. Next time, I suppose “she said, kissing him.

David grabbed her arms and told her to quiet down and listen. Melinda eventually shouted, “TELL ME THE TRUTH RIGHT HERE AND NOW!”
“I’m going to pack my bag and briefcase for tomorrow,” David murmured, kissing back.

“You want me to do that for you?”

“No, I can. Making our dinner has taken a lot of work. It smells great. We can eat and converse after I pack and shower. Alright?” He entered their bedroom.

Melinda concurred. She had great-smelling meals. Hopefully we’ll have a lovely dinner, Melinda thought. It disappointed her, but they couldn’t change it.

She checked his suitcase as the bathroom shower started since he always forgot things. She checked his wallet and rearranged the briefcase. Something attracted her eye.

Side pocket revealed an airline ticket. She took it to cover his belongings so it wouldn’t be misplaced, but to her surprise, there were two tickets. One was David Sherburne, the other Annamarie Simmons.

With tickets in hand, Melinda froze. She read on and discovered the tickets were to Miami.

David had what business in Miami? What woman was this? He always told her he traveled alone. Why two tickets? What made him lie to her? Was he cheating? That was her deepest worry.

Melinda unfroze when the bathroom shower stopped. She returned the tickets to the briefcase and left the bedroom. She pretended everything was OK when her husband came out for supper, but her mind was racing. She had to act. But what?

***

Sunday morning in Miami.

Melinda landed in Miami unsure of her strategy. David left early Saturday morning, and she thought about it all day. She examined his Google history and email, knowing it was unethical to spy on him, but she was desperate and found that he had booked a Mandarin Oriental Hotel room.

She became more suspicious. David may have cheated all along. His business excursions may have been a deception all along.

“No, I can’t think like that,” she told herself, but she bought a ticket to Miami, scheduled a room at the same hotel, and hoped to find David. The truth has to be seen by her.

She checked in promptly once the taxi dropped her off at the hotel. Despite not knowing David’s room, she visited the pool and walked the beach to catch him in the act.

After several hours of searching, she was losing hope. Perhaps I should return and wait for him. “I should’ve asked him that night,” she whispered as she went from the beach to the hotel. She spotted David, and a woman was holding him, just as she expected.

The situation was different from what Melinda expected. Woman had to be 80+. Was David cheating on her with an older woman? That wasn’t right. David’s mother died years ago, thus this older woman may be related.

She had to know, so she sped up to catch them. David frowned and almost startled when he saw her.

“David! Meaning of this? Your business travel type? Who’s this woman?” As the inquiries continued, she became hysterical.

David grabbed her arms and told her to calm down and let him explain while other hotel guests looked on. Melinda eventually shouted, “TELL ME THE TRUTH RIGHT HERE AND NOW!”

“This is Brandon’s mother!” he said before she could scream again.

“Brandon’s mother?” Melinda asked, her hysteria subsiding. Brandon was David’s childhood best friend. Melinda never enjoyed Brandon’s loudness or role as the third wheel in their relationship. However, she realized his importance to David.

When Brandon died in a horrific accident years later, Melinda saw how David was broken.

“Yes, Melinda, this is Annamarie,” Melinda cleaned her sticky palms to shake the elder woman’s as David introduced her.

“It’s nice to meet you, dear,” Annamarie asked.

You too, ma’am. I regret my earlier outburst “Embarrassed, Melinda continued.

“Don’t feel bad. David may have lied. Annamarie suggested you converse while I go back to the room. She left after shaking her head and patting David’s arm.

In private, David explained everything. Brandon promised to care for his mother on his deathbed and did so for years. Annamarie had some health issues, but she always wanted to visit Miami. David bought the tickets on a whim, thinking Melinda wouldn’t understand.

“Why didn’t you trust me?” she asked, her eyes reflecting her hurt at the untruth.

“You begged me for a weekend just to ourselves, so I ordered tickets without thinking. Felt awful. I said it was a work trip since you never complain and I assumed you would be upset. I know you and Brandon didn’t get along…” David explained, but shrugged, knowing his argument was stupid.

“So? Brandon was a close friend. You know! Would’ve understood. Hell, I could’ve came with you guys “Melinda gestured excitedly outside a hotel on one of the world’s most gorgeous beaches. The place is excellent. Meeting Annamarie under better conditions would have been ideal. Brandon was important to you. Why did you never tell me about her?”

He said, “I honestly don’t know,” his shoulders dropping.

We need to improve our communication. And we will. I’ll drop this issue for now. My goal is to not ruin Annamarie’s or your trip. I’d like to stay if you don’t mind “She looked at her husband through her eyelashes.

“Really? Annamarie will benefit from your presence, and I was grappling with that portion “David smiled. “Thank you! Sweetheart, thank you! So sorry. I’ll improve our communication. Never lie to you again, even by omission.”

“Alright,” Melinda breathed. She took his arm and brought him to the hotel. “Let’s go find Annamarie.”

They went sightseeing after meeting the older woman at the hotel bar. They returned to Westport on Tuesday after a great time.

David wondered how Melinda learned about the trip when they returned home, and she chastised herself for seeing the tickets and reading his email. Luckily, he handled it well.

After therapy, David never broke his promise again. Melinda often hosted Annamarie, and she mourned when she died a few months later.

“No matter what happened before, I’m so glad you took her to Miami,” she told David after the funeral. David nodded with tears and hugged his wife.