The woman tilted her head and added with a small laugh,
“How pathetic.”
I was trying to think of something calm to say when her son tugged on her sleeve.
His name tag read Brian.
“Mom,” he said.
She waved him off.
“Not now.”
“But Mom,” he insisted, pointing at Melissa’s dress. “That dress looks just like the silk handkerchiefs Dad gives Miss Tammy when you’re not around.”
The entire room froze.
Brian continued innocently.
“He brings them in a box from the store near the mall. Miss Tammy says they’re her favorite.”
Parents exchanged stunned looks.
Brian’s mother slowly turned toward her husband. Her confident smile disappeared.
The man shifted uncomfortably.
“Brian,” he muttered. “Stop talking.”
But kids rarely stop once they start.
“Dad says not to tell you,” Brian added, “because it’s a surprise for Miss Tammy.”
Whispers rolled through the gym.
Brian’s father turned pale.
“He’s confused,” he stammered. “Kids say strange things.”
But Brian’s mother was staring directly at him.
“Why,” she asked slowly, “would you be buying expensive handkerchiefs for Brian’s nanny?”
Gasps spread across the room.
“It’s not what you think,” the man said weakly.
“Then explain it.”
Before he could answer, Brian suddenly pointed toward the entrance.
“Here’s Miss Tammy now! She came!”
Everyone turned.
A young woman had just walked into the gym, looking confused by the sudden attention.
Brian’s mother stepped toward her.
“Tammy,” she said sharply, “have you been receiving gifts from my husband?”
Tammy froze.
Her eyes flicked toward Brian’s father, who shook his head slightly, silently begging her not to answer.
Then she straightened her shoulders.
“Yes,” she said calmly. “For months.”
The gym exploded with whispers.
Brian’s mother’s expression slowly hardened.
Tammy turned to the man.
“You told me you were unhappy,” she said. “You said you were planning to leave her.”
Brian’s father rubbed his forehead.
“Honey, listen. This is being blown out of proportion.”
His wife removed her sunglasses and tucked them into her purse.
“You’ve been sneaking around behind my back?”
He said nothing.
She turned to Tammy again.
“And you thought this was acceptable?”
Tammy swallowed.
“I thought he loved me.”
“Can we not do this here?” the man groaned.
But it was far too late.
Brian’s mother grabbed her son’s hand.
“We’re leaving.”
As she dragged him toward the exit, Brian waved cheerfully.
“Bye, Melissa!”
Brian’s father rushed after them.
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