“He’s working on it.”
That became the best description of our family.
Working on it.
Vanessa eventually chose to remain married to Ethan.
Not because Claire Bennett the narrator demanded a happy ending.
Not because a baby automatically repairs marriage.
Because over time Ethan stopped hiding.
When he was afraid, he said it.
When money was tight, they discussed it.
When he felt ashamed about earning less, he admitted it before shame became another lie.
Vanessa told me once:
“I forgave the panic before I forgave the deception.”
I understood.
Panic happens in seconds.
Deception requires maintenance.
Nearly a year after the birth, we gathered at their house in Bellmere for the baby’s first birthday.
The same nursery that had once been filled with expensive furniture looked different now.
Some things had been sold.
Others replaced with cheaper versions.
No one cared.
There were balloons in the living room.
Noah ate too much cake.
The baby sat in a high chair smashing frosting into her hair.
Ethan stood behind her.
Vanessa beside him.
At one point, Ethan looked at me.
“You okay?”
