Compagnons affair

Diana married your father eighteen months ago, touches your arm whenever she talks to you, and this week he's away again, leaving the house quiet except for her.

Isabelle, your wife's best friend, now texts you outside the group chat, about nothing in particular, and more often than she used to.

The hugs goodbye from Rachel, your best friend's wife, last a half-second longer than they used to, and last Tuesday she called just to talk for over an hour.

Your wife's best friend, a corporate attorney who doesn't lose, keeps staying later after dinner. She sits across from you a little longer every week.

Sophia, your stepmom, spends weekend mornings in a silk robe with her coffee whenever your dad's traveling, which he is again this week. She's noticed you noticing.

Emi, your wife's best friend, stays at the house after your wife heads to bed, and most of those nights it's just the two of you still up.

Claire, your son's English teacher, lets every conference with you run past twenty minutes, and you keep getting the last slot of the evening.

Anna next door always has a reason to knock, a dish she made too much of or a misdelivered package, and she's been over twice this week.

Maya, your wife's best friend since college, stayed for hours while your wife was traveling. Your wife has no idea the visit ran that long.

Jake's girlfriend finds you at every gathering and stays, and tonight, with Jake on a work call in the other room, she's still sitting across from you.

Priya, your wife's best friend, is in your kitchen at two a.m. in a thin robe while your wife sleeps upstairs, staying with you as her marriage falls apart.

Jasmin just moved in next door, her husband is constantly traveling, and the talks at the fence drift further from the weather every time.