“Does this look right, Mom?”

“It looks great.”

Anthony grabbed another slice of watermelon and ran away laughing when I caught him.

Sasha wrapped her arms around my waist.

“You smell like smoke, Mom.”

“That’s because I’ve officially become part of the barbecue.”

She giggled against my shirt.

For a while, everything felt normal.

Relatives arrived carrying folding chairs, salads, pies, and covered dishes. Music played near the patio while smoke rose from the grill.

Michael’s mother kissed my cheek and told me I always worked too hard.

His brother Ryan’s wife, Maya, came alone. She kept glancing at her phone.

“Ryan is dealing with a problem at work,” she explained.

“Michael told me the business had a terrible year.”

Maya’s expression shifted.

“That’s what he told you?”

Before I could ask what she meant, someone called me over to the grill.

But her reaction stayed in my mind.

So did Michael’s absence.

He had been gone almost two hours just to buy ice.

Part 2:

Then the side gate opened.

Michael walked into the backyard.

He was not carrying ice.

He was holding another woman’s hand.

She was tall, younger than Michael, and dressed as though she were attending an expensive dinner rather than a casual family barbecue.

A gold bracelet decorated with tiny green stones circled her wrist.

The moment I saw it, something about it felt familiar.

“Michael,” I said. “Where’s the ice?”

He looked directly at me.

“I didn’t go to the store.”

Someone near the patio switched off the music.

Michael raised his voice so that everyone could hear him.

“Everybody, this is Melanie.”

No one responded.

He placed one arm around her waist.

“We’ve been together for almost a year. I’m tired of hiding it. She makes me happier than I’ve been in a long time.”

His mother gasped.

I stared at him, waiting for someone to laugh and reveal that it was some horrible joke.

No one did.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I’m finally choosing to live my life.”

Maya stepped forward.

“Michael, have you completely lost your mind?”

He ignored her.

Sasha slipped her small hand into mine.

That single touch brought me back to reality.

I crouched beside her.

“Go with Aunt Hannah and help her choose the first fireworks.”

Sasha looked toward Michael.

“Is Daddy angry?”

“No, sweetheart. The adults just need to talk.”

My aunt understood immediately.

She gathered all three children and led them toward the front porch with promises of ice cream and sparklers.

Once they were safely away, I faced Michael.

“You brought your mistress into our children’s home?”

His mouth tightened.

“Don’t make a scene, Jenna.”

I looked around at the silent relatives surrounding us.

“You entered my barbecue holding another woman’s hand. You brought the scene with you.”

“Keep your voice down.”

“You just announced your affair in front of your entire family.”

“I’m tired of hiding.”

I pulled him several feet away from the others.

“What happened to our marriage?”

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