Chapter 9
"He told me he talked to his wife", Iza reported to Darek.
"Can you be sure about that?" Darek asked with some skepticism.
"No. In fact, I doubt if it's true. But I've already taken actions which will insure that she knows the truth one way or the other", said Iza.
"Like what?" Darek asked with some apprehension. He hoped Iza hadn't confronted Helen in person. Helen wasn't strong enough for that.
"Oh, I called him last night after midnight."
"So? What is that supposed to do?" Darek asked, confused.
"Who's going to call a woman's husband after midnight? Only one person. A lover. Every woman will know that. She's been cheated on before. She's going to be suspicious and check his cell phone at the first opportunity. She probably checked it this morning when he was taking a shower." Iza explained.
"Yeah, but what if he's smarter than that. What if he deleted all of his messages to you and yours to him. What if he deleted all the information about your calls? I would if I were him." Darek observed.
"He doesn't. I checked his phone at the bar when he went to the men's room. I think he's keeping them because someday he may want her to find them." Iza said.
"He what!"
"How do you think most women find out about their cheating husbands? Do you think the husband tells them? Do you think a wife tells her husband directly about her affair? No, they 'let' themselves get caught, either subconsciously or not." Iza explained. "So, yeah, I suppose he leaves all of these messages on the phone so that his wife will find them. That way, he doesn't have to raise the topic; she does. Anyway, one way or another, she'll know what her husband is truly like. My guess is that there will be some confrontation today. My guess is that she'll be calling you. I think my work is over." Iza announced with a slight smile.
Until Iza said that, Darek had forgotten that she had simply been performing a job. He had gotten so used to discussing things with her. She had become his only confidant. He would miss these conversations.
"Now, your work will begin", Iza added.
"My work?" He remarked, somewhat unsure of what she meant.
"Getting her back and telling her about your role in all of this." Iza explained.
"Oh, Jesus", he said, looking miserable and putting his hand to his forehead. Iza's words had jolted him back to reality. "What have I done?" He finally looked at Iza. "At the time, it seemed like my only way out. I guess I never fully understood all the implications there'd be if it actually worked. Iza, what do I do? How do I tell her that I'm responsible for all of her misery? How do I tell her I set this whole thing up for my own selfishness?"
Iza felt sorry for him but really didn't know what to say. "You were in love. People do things like that when they're in love, I suppose. I don't know what to tell you, Darek. Maybe it's not such a good idea to bring this up when she calls you. She's going to be pretty upset, and this would only make her feel worse."
He looked down and shook his head. "I've blown it. I can't be honest with her, and I can't develop a relationship with her based on dishonesty. What the hell am I supposed to do?"
Iza started to reach across the table to touch his hand, but stopped herself. "Why don't you just stay away from her for a while until this all gets sorted out between the two of them. Give her some time to adjust to things then…"
"Then, just as she's feeling better I can tell her that I was behind it all and make her feel even worse", Darek interrupted. "She'll hate me and she should hate me. I hate myself for chrissake."
Iza could no longer help him. Her job was done. Whatever happened now was out of her control.
Courting Infidelity Page 9