“Five years ago, Brenda’s father was sent to Japan to establish a subsidiary in the country. He did a good job, and 6 months later, they invited him again. Since then, he told me the company wanted him to run quality control and supervise the facility. I asked him if he wanted all of us to move there, but he convinced me it was better for Brenda and me to stay here because of Brenda’s school, the language barrier, and the unique Japanese customs. When I realized he hardly returned, I asked his boss if he could assign him to a job here in the USA. He surprised me by telling me it was my husband’s request to work in Japan. A year later, he came for 2 weeks. I arranged his clothes and did his laundry. Among his clothes, I found a small, nicely wrapped box. I couldn’t resist and opened it. It contained a diamond necklace with a note saying, ‘To Aiko. I love you more than ever.’ There was also a stuffed panda with a note, ‘To our son on his 2nd year birthday.’ I was devastated and sat there for almost an hour, not knowing what to do. I was afraid to tell Brenda and kept it a secret until now.”
“Why don’t you divorce him?”
“When we got married, Freddy insisted I didn’t work. He said he earned enough for both of us, and I should be a home mama. I got pregnant soon after, and Brenda was born a year later. I accepted his argument and I didn’t argue with him. So now, he is the breadwinner. The last thing I want is for Brenda to find out what kind of a jerk her father is. If at least he divorced me before having a child there, I’d be upset but understand. However, the current situation is surreal…”
I hugged her, “Elena, I’ll be here for you.”
She had a bitter smile, “Hunter, you are truly a man, but it’s not the same. You’ll go to school soon and forget about me.”
I stared into her eyes, “Elena, you confided in me, telling me your biggest secret. Can I tell you my biggest secret?”
“Yes. Tell me.”
“Only if you do not tell anybody.”
“Not even Brenda?”
“Especially Brenda.”
“I am curious. What is it?”
“Do you remember the end-of-school celebration?”
“Of course. It was not long ago.”
“I sat with my parents and looked through my camera’s zoom lens at the crowd. I saw Brenda, and on her left sat a pretty lady with a heartbreaking smile. I couldn’t take my eyes off you throughout the event. I was hooked. The reason I approached Brenda when it was over was to meet you. Brenda assumed it was because of her. I can tell you that I like Brenda. A lot. She is a good girl. However, I am in love with you, not her…”
Elena inspected my eyes silently for a long moment. Then she whispered, “Hunter, it’s too much for one day. Brenda’s operation, talking about Freddy, and finding out my daughter’s boyfriend has the hots for me – how much can I take?”
I hugged her, “Elena, I’ll never make you do anything you feel uncomfortable doing. But now you understand why I care about you and do not want to see you being alone in the house.”
She gazed at me again and cried, “You are handsome, gentlemanly, and fun to be with. I am sure every girl would love to date you. Why me?”
“Because you are the prettiest and the best.”
“Oh, god. It’s not only a young guy, half my age, who’s obsessed with me, but no other than my daughter’s boyfriend! Hunter, how do you expect me to react?”
“Elena, I have no clue. I just know I can see you constantly before my eyes, including in my dreams.”
“So now I have a daughter in the hospital, a husband who doesn’t love me anymore, and a guy who loves me too much. What is a woman to do?…”
I stayed quiet, knowing Elena had a lot on her mind. I kissed her forehead and told her I’d visit Brenda in the morning and planned to take her out later to a place of her choosing. I left shortly after.
…
We met in Brenda’s room. She looked upbeat, “I have less pain, the nurses washed me, and I see in the window the day is nice. Mom, you shouldn’t have cried – I am feeling much better.”
If Brenda had only known her mother’s cry may not have been caused by HER issue… Elena and I sat there and hardly talked. Fortunately, Brenda was so cheerful that she didn’t pay attention. Before we left, she asked us, “Hunter, when and where do you take Mom next?”
I gazed at Elena. She smiled at her daughter, “This evening. Perhaps to a movie.”
Brenda smiled at me, “That is fantastic. Mom loves old movies. Don’t make her see murder and blood. She hates these. Find something good in landmark theater.”
When we left, I said to Elena, “I hate to feel I impose MY feelings on you. I wish to take you out, but if our last night’s discussion caused you to like me less, I’ll understand.”
Her smile was fake, “You don’t get it, do you? I do not hate you or want you out of our life. I am struggling with your wish to change from Brenda to me. When Brenda and you started going out, you were like a stepson, and now you want me to accept you as more than that.”
“Elena dear, hearing the way your husband treated you strengthened my will to care for you. You are such a wonderful lady that I cannot comprehend a man like him. If he cheated once, I’d understand it. We are all humans and make mistakes, but avoiding and ignoring YOUR needs for years is pure cruelty. You are a good woman and deserve much more.”
She began crying. I hugged her, “Please Elena, don’t. I love you.” With tears in her eyes, she looked at my face.
I still don’t know what made me do it but I kissed her lips tenderly. She lowered her face and whispered, “Oh, my god. I can’t…”
“Elena, do you wish to see a movie this evening?”
I barely heard her voice, “You decide.”
“I’ll call you later about the time and when I’ll pick you up.”