Chapter 36
"Mom, I need your help." I pleaded. If anything, she could help.
"What's wrong, Michael? Are you crying? What's going on?"
"I cheated on Victoria."
"You what?!"
"I cheated on Victoria."
"Why? I thought you were in love with her."
"I am in love with her. I just made a horrible mistake."
"What made you do it?"
"I don't know. I just sort of did without thinking."
"But why, Michael? That's what I don't understand. You love Victoria. You two have two beautiful children together and you cheated on her. How long have you been doing it?"
"Only for three months."
"Only three months?!" I sighed heavily. "Michael, what has she done to you for you to do such a thing to her?"
"That's the thing. She's done nothing wrong. This was not revenge."
"My goodness..." Mother sighed.
"Mom, I told her today and she hung up on me. She wouldn't even speak to me."
"You should have expected that, Michael. How are my grandbabies handling this?"
"They don't know. I would hope that they wouldn't know."
"Michael?"
"Yes?"
"You do realize that you've messed up, right?"
"I realize this. How do I fix this? She ran off with Joshua."
"Who?"
"Her best friend."
"She ran off with him?
"Well, when we got back home, I called Victoria, so the boys could talk to her and she said she was with him."
"How long have they been friends?"
"I don't know. A while, I'm sure."
"Michael, did you fall in love with this other woman?" Other women? If I told her it was more than one she would flip.
"No. Never."
"Did you have sexual relations with her?"
"Unfortunately."
"Oh, Michael." She began to cry. Now I'm only making my Mother carry a burden on her shoulders that she does not need.
"Mother, I'm sorry."
"Is she pregnant?"
"No."
"Thank God!" I must have reminded her of what Joseph did to her a long time ago. I feel horrible. "Michael, I'm going to call Victoria and try my best to convince her to come back home. Pray that her mother doesn't get involved. You know that woman is irrational. I'll give her a piece of my mind if I have to. Michael, don't you dare talk to that other woman again."
"Yes, ma'am. I love you."
"I love you too." At that, she hung up and I was left alone again in my master bedroom. I messed up in cheating. The boys were asleep in their rooms. It didn't occur to me what time it was until I looked at my phone to see that it was ten. I tried Victoria only to get a voicemail again...
-
(Victoria's P.O.V.)
"He's calling again. I don't see what he wants to say. There's nothing to talk about." I put my phone back in my purse.
"Victoria, just answer the poor guy." Joshua suggested as he wiped yet another escaping tear from my eye.
"Why? I have nothing to say and neither does he. He just wants to explain why he cheated and you know what? I don't want to hear it. I heard enough as soon as he said he cheated."
"But you already knew." Joshua sighed, clearly annoyed that my actions aren't what he expected them to be.
"Yes. I know, but him admittiting to it only hurt me more."
"I understand." Joshua rubbed my back.
"Gosh, you know what? I feel like such a dumbass! Everyone probably thinks I'm the dumbest woman in the world, because I waited like my mother told me to. I shouldn't have waited. As soon as I found out or as soon as that woman came over I should have kicked his ass out then, but no. I waited. I waited too long. That's why my mother is bitter and angry now. Because she waited while my father was cheating on her the entire time." I couldn't help, but to cry even more.
"Victoria, why did you answer the phone the first time?" Joshua asked with a confused look on his face. Although the question was off topic, I answered it anyway
"I know my babies. They'd be the first to want to call if I was ever gone, not Michael. Michael would obviously call for them." I need to stop crying. One good thing my mother taught me was crying solves nothing. No matter how hard I cry, it would never erase the fact that Michael cheated on me with five women.
"Any idea when you're going to go back?"
"Are you tryna kick me out already?" I managed a smile.
"No! It's just an honest question." Joshua shrugged.
"I'll probably go back Thursday... You don't mind if I crash here for a couple of days, do you?"
"Oh no! In fact, I'm glad you're here to keep me company."
"Well, that's good." I managed another smile. My phone rang loudly in my purse. "This better not be Michael again." I groaned as I dug my phone out and looked at the caller I.D. A restricted number was calling. I normally do not answer restricted calls, but I feel the need to now. "Hello?"
"Hi, Victoria. It's Michael's mother, Katherine."
"Oh! Hi, Katherine. How are you? It's been awhile..." Surprisingly, my spirits lifted. I guess Katherine has that affect...
"Who is it?" Joshua whispered.
"Michael's mother."
"Oh." He nodded and continued in the kitchen.
"Yes, it has been a long time. How are you doing?" Katherine asked.
"I'm okay for the most part."
"That's good... Look, Victoria, Michael told me what happened."
"He did?" I sighed. It's just like Michael to tell his Mother about this.
"Yes and I'm disappointed in his actions. I need you to know that I did not raise him to be so irresponsible."
"Yes, ma'am..."
"I just need you to know, Victoria, that Michael loves you very much and although he's cheated on you, trust me, he is as heartbroken as you are right now."
"Really?" I asked sarcastically.
"I would know..." Katherine sighed.
"Did he tell you to say this to me?"
"Not at all. As a woman who has been in the same situation as you are in now and as his mother, I believe I should be saying this to you."
"Thank you, Katherine."
"You're welcome, Victoria. Michael and the boys miss you already. Do you know when you will be home?"
"I was thinking Thursday."
"Well, that sounds like a good idea. I got away for a while when Joe cheated on me. So I understand, sweetheart."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Just don't stay away too long. You do have children."
"Yes, ma'am. I know." I smiled.
"I'll talk to you soon, Victoria."
"I'll talk to you soon. Thanks again."
"You're welcome." Katherine hung up. Oh boy...