A loving husband, a newborn daughter, and a best friend who felt like family\u2014I thought I had it all. But one night altered everything. Ten years later, when I had moved on, she appeared at my door like a ghost of the lady I once knew.<\/p>\n
A best friend who felt like a sister was probably everyone\u2019s closest buddy. Someone who knew you completely. That best friend shattered my life.<\/p>\n
Katie and I became friends in school and were inseparable. School projects, birthday celebrations, sleepovers\u2014we did everything together.<\/p>\n
We were called twins despite looking nothing alike. As we aged, we became more diverse, yet our friendship never suffered.<\/p>\n
Katie was always the life of the party, free and confident.<\/p>\n
She was the one dancing on tables and laughing loudest, attracting attention without trying.<\/p>\n
When I told her I was getting married, I expected her to say, \u201cWell, never mind, I will have fun for both of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Because Katie and I spent so much time together, Katie and my fianc\u00e9 Dave had to become friends.<\/p>\n
To be close to me, you had to accept Katie. She cried during my wedding despite her pledge not to.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you want me to throw the bouquet for you to catch?\u201d Midway through the wedding, I asked Katie.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you throw the bouquet at me, I\u2019ll never forgive you. She said, \u201cMy soul is not ready for commitment,\u201d and we chuckled.<\/p>\n
Katie was as excited as Dave and I when I got pregnant. She stayed with me during pregnancy.<\/p>\n
Holding my hair during morning sickness, helping me pick out baby items, and cleaning the house when my belly was enormous. I was forever grateful to fate for sending me such a friend.<\/p>\n
Katie stayed with Maya following my traumatic delivery.<\/p>\n
She lavished Maya with gifts and assistance. She began staying overnight to help me.<\/p>\n
Katie and I had tea in the kitchen one night. Maya slept upstairs. The home was peaceful.<\/p>\n
Maybe you want a kid? Asking as I poured her another cup.<\/p>\n
She shook her head at me. \u201cOh, no. Way too much. Too much duty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you\u2019re so good with Maya,\u201d I remarked. \u201cYou feed, change, and rock her to sleep. Nobody helps more than you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Katie smiled briefly. \u201cBut she\u2019s your child. Not my. That differs. I like helping, but not for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t want kids? I requested.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Not now. Maybe never. Don\u2019t want one man, house, or life. Feels like a trap.\u201d<\/p>\n
A minute of silence. I want it. Want this life. With Dave, please.\u201d<\/p>\n
Katie looked at me. You got lucky. Rare Dave. Not many men are like him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dave entered then. Behind me, he grabbed my shoulders.<\/p>\n
Here again, Katie? saying with a smile. Maybe we should give you a key. This is nearly your home.\u201d<\/p>\n
All laughed. But later, I understood the joke was plausible. Katie was family. Maybe she wanted more.<\/p>\n
Katie returned one night when Maya was three months old. The infant developed colic.<\/p>\n
She sobbed and woke up regularly at night. Katie wants to assist. \u201cAunt Katie\u201d stated she didn\u2019t mind losing sleep.<\/p>\n
It was late. My house was peaceful, yet something woke me. I sat up in bed after hearing a noise.<\/p>\n
I thought Maya was weeping again. Though I listened intently, it wasn\u2019t her. Sound came from downstairs.<\/p>\n
Reaching out, I felt the empty space beside me. Not Dave in bed. The feeling was odd.<\/p>\n
I got up and slowly went to the kitchen. I was partly asleep when I heard quiet murmurs as I approached. I saw them.<\/p>\n
Dave and Katie. Exactly there. In my kitchen. I froze. My heart pounded. Unable to speak. Unable to move.<\/p>\n
Katie saw me first. Her eyes widened. She raced to get her clothing after pushing Dave away. Dave moved slowly. He stood calmly, as if nothing was wrong.<\/p>\n
Home was mine. My child is upstairs. And they did.<\/p>\n
Katie stood trembling. She dropped on her knees and cried. Tears covered her cheeks. She spoke loudly and brokenly.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m sorry, Alex! I\u2019m sorry, I didn\u2019t intend to\u2014please forgive me,\u201d she repeated.<\/p>\n
Just stood. I had freezing hands. The whole body shook.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d I requested. My voice sounded feeble. Why would you hurt me?<\/p>\n
Katie looked at me. She had crimson eyes. She looked pallid. I have no idea what happened. Please pardon me. A mistake. It won\u2019t repeat. I assure you.\u201d<\/p>\n
While crying, she reached for me. Dave grabbed her arm and pulled her up.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t humiliate yourself before her,\u201d he urged. Then he faced me. Alexis, you caused this. Months have passed with no action.\u201d<\/p>\n
I watched him. Because I was pregnant with your child! A shout. I had our daughter! You know what happened to me? You say this now?<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m your husband. I need, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I\u2019m your wife!\u201d I yell. \u201cYou still slept with my best friend!\u201d<\/p>\n
Katie wept. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dave spoke loudly. \u201cWhat should I do? It\u2019s instinct. Let Katie stay. You let her sleep. I couldn\u2019t resist.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cInstincts?!\u201d Screamed. \u201cWhat instincts?! Are you animal?<\/p>\n
Dave\u2019s expression changed. He looked drained. \u201cI won\u2019t explain. \u201cYou won\u2019t understand,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
Take Katie\u2019s hand and walk to the door. Crying continued. She kept looking at me. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d she repeated. Door slammed.<\/p>\n
I sobbed in a chair. The whole body shook. My chest hurt. Hard to breathe.<\/p>\n
How could they hurt me? Best pal. My hubby. I kept seeing them in the kitchen.<\/p>\n
Dave\u2019s chilly voice and Katie\u2019s crying persisted. I could not comprehend it. Nothing made sense.<\/p>\n
Dave never returned. Never once. He abandoned everything. I packed his clothes, books, and everything else.<\/p>\n
Outside, I put everything. Filed for divorce. I removed his parental rights. Not even He fought me. I got the house.<\/p>\n
I struggled with divorce. Every day was a struggle to stay strong.<\/p>\n
I carried a young child alone. Maya cried much. As did I. My parents assisted me as much as possible.<\/p>\n
They alternated holding the baby, cooking, and cheering me up. I still felt betrayed. It stung terribly.<\/p>\n
Still, time passed. Ten years. Maya became educated, kind, and gorgeous. I changed jobs and progressively rebuilt my life and career.<\/p>\n
I accepted the past. I stopped thinking about Katie and Dave. My world seemed to be without them forever.<\/p>\n
I heard the doorbell one day. Freeze when I opened the door. A woman stood.<\/p>\n
She looked like Katie, but not my Katie. She appeared pale, exhausted, and slender. She had empty eyes. Her smile vanished.<\/p>\n
Saying \u201cHello, Alexis,\u201d Her quiet voice was nearly inaudible.<\/p>\n
I fixated on her. My heart accelerated. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d I requested.<\/p>\n
Katie glanced down and cried. \u201cI have nowhere else to go,\u201d she remarked. As she talked, her shoulders shook.<\/p>\n
I paused. I retreated. \u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n
She entered slowly. We sat on the couch. I observed her intently. I saw a shadow of the girl I used to know.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sick,\u201d she said. Need therapy. I need cash. I have no one else to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n
I stared at her. \u201cAnd Dave?\u201d<\/p>\n
She laughed dryly. We split after two years. He cheated again. I was not his only companion. He never changed.\u201d<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cNo surprise there.\u201d<\/p>\n
You\u2019re entitled to despise me. \u201cYou can expel me,\u201d she said. Again, her eyes flooded. \u201cI harmed you. I feel like life is harming me.\u201d<\/p>\n
I shook my head slowly. Please let me one request. Why? Why did you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Katie averted. No idea. Maybe I was jealous. You owned everything. Good man. A home. A kid.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never wanted that kind of life,\u201d I add. \u201cAnd it was far from perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n
I know. I denied wanting it, but maybe I did. Maybe I didn\u2019t know how to react. My mistake was big. The explanation is beyond me. Sorry, just saying. Sincerely sorry. Forgive me, Alexis.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cApologies won\u2019t change the past,\u201d said I.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know,\u201d Katie muttered, lowering her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this conversation is over,\u201d said I. Standing, I left the room.<\/p>\n
Katie was at the door with her bag when I returned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait,\u201d I said. \u201cI didn\u2019t tell you to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
She turned, shocked. \u201cBut I thought\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
I gave her envelope. These are for your therapy. Need more? Let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her hand shook when she took it. Not sure how to thank you. I pledge to repay you.\u201d<\/p>\n
No time to think about that. Focus on improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo\u2026 u forgive me?\u201d<\/p>\n
No idea. Maybe I did. Maybe I just accepted it. You were my friend. I can\u2019t let you suffer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Katie said, \u201cThanks.\u201d She embraced me.<\/p>\n
Though I struggled, I hugged her back. Not because I forgot her act. Not because suffering was gone. She needed it, so I did.<\/p>\n
Her eyes showed her brokenness. Life had punished her in ways I couldn\u2019t. She lost everything. I shouldn\u2019t have harmed her more.<\/p>\n
Now my life was fulfilled. I had Maya, home, and serenity. Katie may have saved me unintentionally. Continuing with Dave could have hurt me more than I thought.<\/p>\n
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