“Hey! Where are you going?”
“Can you not hear the baby?” I snapped over my shoulder.
As I rocked the baby, trying to calm her down, I felt like I could explode.
I thought things couldn’t get any worse, but then my phone buzzed loudly on the dresser, waking the other two girls.
I immediately rushed to her.
Suddenly, I was pulled in every direction, trying to soothe each one while my mind raced with anger and confusion.
Finally, when I got them settled again, I grabbed my phone.
Sam had posted a new photo on Instagram.
It was our dirty, disgusting living room.
The caption read: “MY SLOBBY WIFE HASN’T CLEANED THE APARTMENT IN A MONTH. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHEN THIS IS GOING TO STOP?”
Sam had posted a new photo on Instagram.
In the time it had taken me to settle the girls, the comments had blown up.
Strangers were calling me lazy and useless, and those were the kinder comments. The really bad ones brought tears to my eyes, but I didn’t let them fall.
I refused to be humiliated like this!
I put the triplets to bed one more time, and then I went into the living room.
Strangers were calling me lazy and useless.
I went over to Sam and gave him a soft hug.
“I’m sorry, honey. I’m taking you out to a celebratory dinner tomorrow. To celebrate our reunion.”
It took everything in me to keep my voice soft.
“It’ll be an unforgettable evening,” Sam replied with a smile.
I smiled back. Yes, Sam. You have no idea how unforgettable it’s going to be!
It took everything in me to keep my voice soft.
I spent the next day making phone calls.
That evening, I moved through the apartment quietly and methodically. The triplets were fed, changed, and asleep. My sister had agreed to watch them the moment I told her what I was up to.
Sam was upbeat, dressed nicely in a button-down shirt I hadn’t seen him wear in months.
I handed him a folded cloth.
I spent the next day making phone calls.
Sam laughed. “What’s this?”
“A blindfold. I have a surprise planned for you.”
He smirked, clearly flattered by the attention. “Wow. Okay. Getting fancy now?”
Once we reached the car, I secured the blindfold gently but firmly over his eyes.
The car ride was quiet except for Sam’s oblivious chatter.
I secured the blindfold gently but firmly over his eyes.
We reached our destination after a short drive.
I helped him out of the car and guided him up the walkway. My heart was pounding, but my hands stayed steady.
The door opened. There was a murmur inside. Not loud, but unmistakably people.
Sam tensed. “Wait. Where are we?”
I helped him out of the car and guided him up the walkway.
I untied the blindfold.
Sam blinked.
He was standing in his sister’s living room.
His parents, my parents, some extended family, and close friends were all seated, waiting.
Sam scanned the room. “Okay. Very funny. What is this supposed to be?”
He was standing in his sister’s living room.
I stepped forward, hands folded in front of me.
“I asked everyone here because I’m worried about you, Sam.”
Sam frowned. “Worried about me? Why?”
I exhaled slowly and led him to the chair positioned in the center of the room, facing the TV. He sat, and I took my place by the TV.
I turned to face everyone.
I led him to the chair positioned in the center of the room.
“Thank you all for coming tonight to support Sam. This might be disturbing for some of you, but please remember this evening is not about us — it’s about helping Sam.”
“What are you talking about?” Sam cried out.
