Busted

   Caroline entered the house expecting to find her husband and two daughters huddled by the picture window still peeking through blinds. She saw only Becky, her oldest, but she was in the act of taking a seat on the sofa. Their eyes met and told Caroline all she needed to know. Becky had that I-saw-Mommy-kissin’-Santa look–a mischievous gleam. She thumbed through her Teen Magazine while trying to hold back a knowing smile.

Caroline had been busted, and she knew it. She also knew it was bound to happen sooner or later, now that she had to use Bonnie’s front door to come and go, wearing sexy clothes no less. Caroline was already resolved to let the chips fall where they may, knowing she’d get caught, be seen by neighbors, and become the grist for the neighborhood gossip mill. If the girls didn’t see, they’d eventually hear.

She knew she could not stay away from Bonnie, not now, anyway.

She fought back the impulse to tell Becky to wipe that stupid grin off her face and mind her own business, but was glad she held that in when fourteen-year-old Joann came bounding into the room, saying, “What’s so important that I have to see this, now? Oh, hi, Mom!”

Caroline squared her shoulders and brushed past Joann, saying, “You missed it, but I’m sure your snoopy sister will fill you in. Where’s your father?”

“I think he’s on the phone in the den.”

Caroline made for the den and met Richard as he was coming out. She was still in the living room. Joann had just taken a seat beside Becky. The girls were behind her to her left. Richard said, “Oops. Didn’t see you. Sweetheart, I have to go back to the office for a few hours. I’ll catch something to eat downtown. I’m going to leave the phone on the service. Was there something you needed?”
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