Chapter 11 - The Baby Shower Invitation
Two days later, bright yellow envelopes appeared in our mailbox. They were invitations to the baby shower Ethan's aunt had organized for me. Someone had crossed out the address of the community center and written Mom's house in thick black marker.
"They didn't even tell us they moved it," I said.
Ethan called his aunt, Rachel. She sounded furious. "I didn't move a thing. I got the same altered invitation."
Within an hour, we learned Brooke had called half the family claiming I'd decided to reconcile with Mom. She'd also said Ethan was keeping me isolated.
"It's a trap," Ethan said.
"Maybe. Or maybe she wants a public apology she can show everyone."
Rachel insisted the shower would stay at the community center. "You don't have to attend, sweetheart. But you should know who's behind you."
I wanted to hide until the baby was born. Instead I went. The center smelled like coffee and fresh-cut flowers. My friends hung paper stars over the gift table. Nobody asked for a performance of forgiveness.
Halfway through the party, Brooke walked in carrying a huge white box with a satin bow. She smiled for the room and said, "I brought something for my niece."
Rachel blocked her path. "You weren't invited."
"I'm her aunt."
I rose slowly from my chair. "Please leave, Brooke."
I wore a simple blue dress to the shower, the one with enough room for my belly and pockets for tissues. When my friends hugged me, nobody asked me to perform happiness. A few knew the outline of what had happened; most simply knew I needed gentleness. I wondered why I had spent years chasing approval from relatives who treated kindness like a transaction when so many people knew how to give it freely.
She placed the box on the floor. "Open it first. You deserve to know what kind of husband you married."
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Inside was a framed photograph of Ethan entering a hotel lobby beside a dark-haired woman.
On the back, someone had written: HE'S BEEN LYING TO YOU TOO.
