My Wife And Mother In Law Went on a Trip, Then They Decided to Visit a Doctor. 

You’re embarrassing us. This is a medical facility, not some place for you to make wild accusations. I watched my wife work her magic the way she always did when backed into a corner. Deflect, deny, make the accusers feel like they were the problem. It had worked on me before, but not today. Tanya, I said, my voice surprisingly steady. Look me in the eye and tell me you’re not pregnant.

She hesitated for just a fraction of a second, but I caught it. Vernon caught it, too. Well, Vernon demanded, staring at his daughter. Of course, I’m not pregnant, Tanya snapped. God, you men and your paranoia. We came here for routine checkups after traveling.

Nothing more. Marlene wrapped her arm around Tanya’s shoulders. Honestly, you two are acting like conspiracy theorists. Next, you’ll be accusing us of running some kind of criminal operation. But her voice was shaking and she couldn’t look Vernon in the eye. I decided to test them. Then you won’t mind if I ask Dr. Brennan directly what kind of appointments you had today. Both women went rigid. That’s private medical information, Tanya said quickly. He can’t tell you anything without our permission. So give him permission.

Vernon said coldly. Marlene laughed nervously. This is getting out of hand.

Vernon, you’re being ridiculous. Am I?

Vernon’s voice was rising. Then prove it. March back into that office and tell Dr. Brennan, he can share your test results with your husband and me. The two women exchange a panic glance. We don’t have to prove anything to you, Tanya said, her voice getting shrill.

This is harassment and I’m not going to stand here and take it. She grabbed her purse and started toward the exit.

Marlene followed close behind. Both of them moving like they were fleeing a crime scene. Vernon and I stood there watching our wives run away from the truth. “They’re lying,” Vernon said quietly. I nodded. Question is, what are we going to do about it? Vernon and I drove back to my house in silence. Both of us processing what we’d witnessed.

When we pulled into the driveway, Marlene’s car was already there. They’d beaten us home. You ready for this?

Vernon asked as we walked toward the front door. Been ready for 15 years. I replied, “Just didn’t know it.” We found them in my kitchen sitting at the table like they were planning their next move.

When we walked in, both women looked up with define expressions. “Dennis,” Tanya said, her voice cold. “I think you owe me an apology for that embarrassing scene at the clinic.” “I pulled out a chair and sat down across from her.” Vernon remained standing, his arms crossed. “The only thing I owe you,” I said calmly, “is the truth. And I think it’s time you gave me some.” Marlene shifted uncomfortably. “We already told you the truth. You misunderstood what you heard. Did we? Vernon’s voice was deadly quiet. Because what I heard was pretty clear. Two pregnant women, same father. Tanya laughed, but it sounded forced. Dad, you’re being ridiculous, even if it were true, which it’s not.

What makes you think it has anything to do with us? I leaned forward, studying my wife’s face, because you both ran out of there like your hair was on fire.

Innocent people don’t run. Tanya, we left because you were embarrassing us, she shot back, making wild accusations in a public place. Then prove us wrong, I said simply. Call Dr. Brennan right now and authorize him to share your test results with me. Tanya’s jaw tightened.

I’m not doing that. My medical information is private, even from your husband. Especially from my husband when he’s acting like a paranoid lunatic.

Vernon slammed his hand on the table, making both women jump. Enough games, Marlene. Are you pregnant or not?

Marlene’s lower lip trembled. Vernon, please don’t shout at me. Answer the question. Tanya reached over and grabbed her mother’s hand. Mom, you don’t have to answer anything. They can’t force us to. Yes. Marlene whispered, cutting her daughter off. “I’m pregnant.” The kitchen went dead silent. Vernon’s face drained of all color. “How far along?” he asked, his voice barely audible. 8 weeks, Marlene said, tears starting to flow. I turned to Tanya. Your turn. She glared at me with pure hatred. Go to hell, Dennis. That’s not an answer. It’s the only answer you’re getting. I stood up slowly, walked to the kitchen drawer, and pulled out my phone. Fine. I’ll call Dr. Brena myself. You can’t do that, Tanya said quickly. Patient confidentiality laws. Don’t apply when I’m asking about my own wife’s medical condition. I started dialing. Wait, Tanya said, panic creeping into her voice. Just wait. I stopped dialing and looked at her. Yes, she said finally.

I’m pregnant, too. Vernon sank into a chair like his legs had given out. Jesus Christ, he whispered. How long have you known? I asked. Since we got back from Florida, Tanya admitted. And the father?

Tanya’s eyes flashed with something that might have been guilt, but it was gone too quickly to be sure. That’s none of your business anymore. The admission hung in the air like smoke from a house fire. Both women were pregnant and neither one was willing to name the father. That told me everything I needed to know about what kind of man we were dealing with. None of my business, I repeated, my voice dangerously calm. My wife is carrying another man’s child, and you think that’s none of my business. Tanya lifted her chin defiantly. We’re getting divorced anyway. What does it matter who the father is? We’re getting divorced. This was news to me. When did we decide that?

I decided it about 6 months ago, she said coolly. I just hadn’t figured out how to tell you yet. Vernon was staring at his daughter like he’d never seen her before. Tanya, what the hell has happened to you? I grew up, Dad. I realized I wasn’t happy living this boring, predictable life. Marlene reached for her daughter’s hand.

Sweetheart, maybe we shouldn’t.

Shouldn’t want mom. Tell the truth. They already know we’re pregnant. Might as well tell them to rest. I felt a chill run down my spine. What rest? Tanya smiled and it was the crulest expression I’d ever seen on her face. We didn’t go to Florida, Dennis. We went to Las Vegas. Why? To meet someone. Someone who actually knows how to treat a woman, right? Vernon’s hands were shaking. Who, Marlene? Who did you meet? Marlene couldn’t look at him. Someone from online. We’ve been talking to him for months. The pieces were starting to fall into place and I didn’t like the picture they were forming. Both of you? I asked.

You were both talking to the same man online. Tanya nodded. He’s nothing like you boring small town men. He’s sophisticated, successful, knows what he wants, and what he wanted was both of you, I said, disgust creeping into my voice. He appreciates us, Marleene said defensively. He makes us feel special.

Vernon stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. You’re both sick. This is disgusting. Don’t be such a prude, dad, Tanya said. It’s the 21st century. People have different kinds of relationships now. I felt like I was looking at strangers. These weren’t the women I thought I knew. What’s his name?

I demanded. Both women went quiet. I said, “What’s his name?” “That’s not important,” Tanya said. “It is to me. I want to know who destroyed my marriage.” Tanya laughed bitterly. Your marriage was already destroyed, Dennis. You just didn’t know it yet. I leaned across the table, getting close enough to see the flex of gold in her eyes that I used to find so beautiful. Give me his name, Tanya. Right now, for the first time since this whole nightmare started, I saw fear in her expression. His name, she said quietly, is Marcus Webb, and he’s going to take care of both of us better than either of you ever did. I wasn’t about to let Marcus Webb disappear into the shadows. If he thought he could destroy two families and walk away clean, he had another thing coming. I’d built my business on the principle that you finish what you start. And this bastard had started a war. Give me his phone number. I told Tanya. She hugged her arms around herself defensively. Why? Because I’m going to have a conversation with him.

Dennis, please don’t do anything stupid.

Marlene said, ringing her hands. Vernon laughed bitterly. Stupid. The stupid part was trusting you two in the first place. I pulled out my phone and opened a new contact. The number Tanya now. She rattled off the digits reluctantly. I dialed immediately, putting the call on speaker so everyone could hear. It rang four times before a smooth voice answered. This is Marcus. Marcus Webb. I asked who’s asking. Dennis Hullbrook. I believe you know my wife Tanya. There was a long pause. I’m not sure what you’re talking about. Cut the bowl. You got my wife pregnant. You got her mother pregnant, too. Now we’re going to discuss what you’re going to do about it. Another pause, then a chuckle. Look, buddy. I think you got the wrong guy. I don’t know anyone named Tanya. I looked at my wife who had gone pale. Really?

Because she’s sitting right here and she seems to know you pretty well. There must be some misunderstanding. The only misunderstanding, I interrupted, is you thinking you could use my family and walk away. Where are you right now? I don’t think that’s any of your business.

Everything about you is my business now.

You made it my business when you decided to play house with my wife and mother-in-law. Marcus’s voice turned cold. I’m going to hang up now. Don’t call this number again. Hang up if you want, I said, but I’m going to find you anyway. and when I do, we’re going to have a face-to-f face conversation about your responsibilities. The line went dead. Vernon was staring at the phone.

He just denied knowing them. Tanya’s face was white as a sheet. He’s probably just scared. Men get scared when they’re confronted. Or maybe, I said slowly. He was never planning to take responsibility in the first place.

Marlene burst into tears. But he said he loved us. He said we were going to be a family. He said what he wanted to hear.

Vernon said harshly. You two got played by a professional liar. I was already thinking ahead. Marcus Webb thought he could hide, but he’d underestimated what a determined man with connections could accomplish. I ran a business in a small town. I knew people, private investigators, lawyers, men who specialize in finding people who didn’t want to be found. I’m going to track them down, I announced. Tanya grabbed my arm. Dennis, what are you planning to do? I looked down at her hand on my arm, then back at her face. I’m going to make sure he takes responsibility for what he’s done to all of us. Within 2 hours, I had Marcus Webb’s real information. It pays to have friends in low places. And my buddy Jake, who ran a computer repair shop, had skills that went beyond fixing broken hard drives. Dennis, Jake said over the phone, your boy Marcus Webb is a piece of work. Real name is Marcus Weber, and he’s got a history. What kind of history? Three different women in three different states have filed paternity suits against him in the past 5 years. All of them dropped the suits when he disappeared. I felt my blood pressure rising. What else? He’s currently married to a woman named Sandra Weber in Cincinnati. Been married for 8 years. Has two kids with her.

According to her social media, she has no idea about his side activities.

Vernon was listening to my side of the conversation with growing anger. When I hung up, he slammed his fist on the table. So, he’s a serial predator, Vernon said. And our wives fell for a hook, line, and sinker. Tanya and Marlene have been sitting in stunned silence since the phone call ended. Now, Tanya spoke up, her voice small and uncertain. That can’t be right. Marcus told us he was single. He showed us pictures of his apartment, probably a rental he keeps for his hunting expeditions, I said coldly. Marlene was crying again, but he seems so genuine, so caring. That’s what come do, Mom.

Vernon said they seem genuine until they get what they want. I had Marcus’ real address now, his work information, even his wife’s contact details. The question was what to do with it. I’m driving to Cincinnati, I announced. Dennis, no.