Each finger lifted, shearing layers of my heart, as her clear evidence mounted, on full display for recognition. I shook my head, in denial. Hollis really was busy, I stated. The entire battalion was under heavy pressure lately.
Shaking her head, she asserted her position. Sympathy blanketed her statements. “Of course you’re not going to notice these things. You’ve been with him so long that you won’t see what you don’t want to see.” She was bold enough to speak up, and didn’t lower her voice when she added, “Trust me. I’ve been there.”
“Kristopher cheated!?” My eyes burst open with shock.
Kelli and Kristopher always seemed like the perfect happily married couple. They were always hugging and kissing on one another. It was hard to believe they’d ever spent a day out of love.
My eyes drifted to the picture of them on the wall, wondering from the happiness in their photos, “How is that even possible?”
“Even the happiest marriages have their dark periods,” Kelli spoke matter-of-factly. She downed the rest of her drink and walked to the kitchen. I didn’t have to follow her to know she needed a couple of minutes to gather her words while she checked on the simple syrup and mixed another drink. I checked my phone while I waited, scrolling through Instagram, specifically visiting Kelli’s page to look at pictures of her and Kristopher.
Kristopher and Kelli looked like the perfect American couple. He was 6’ even, average build, with dark hair and eyes. He had an easygoing appearance, and a charming disposition. Kelli stood at 5’9.” She had dark blonde, amber colored strands, and caramel colored eyes. Slim and leggy, she was a former model until she met and married Kristopher several years ago. Their son, Karter, was only 7, but he was very advanced for his age.
My mind was drenched in questions as I skimmed through her Instagram. I was scouring through each picture as if I could see the signs of his infidelity in those captured moments.
Rational thinking should have told me not to bother; Kelli was highly discrete. She would never pretend everything was perfect; however she’d also rather drive a stake through her own heart before she broadcasted her challenges to the world, especially on such a public forum as social media. She didn’t believe there was any privacy on the Internet, and therefore something as sensitive as an affair would never be exposed there. The fact that this happened and she never told me, her best friend, was solid proof she kept the grisly details of her life under wraps.
She returned, carrying a tray with two drinks and some chips with hummus. Setting the tray down, she motioned for me to grab the other drink, but I raised the one in my hand, indicating I hadn’t even finished the first one.
“Look, you’re not going to get me white-girl wasted until you spill the beans,” I pushed. “I had no idea Kristopher had an affair. Why didn’t you tell me?”
There was that wry smile again. “It wasn’t important.”
“What do you mean, it wasn’t important, Kel? That’s your husband! Your husband having an affair is very important.” I couldn’t believe the dismissive way she handled this situation. There was no way Hollis could ever cheat on me and I’d dismiss it. Ever.
“I’ve learned that in life, you have to pick your battles.” Kelli looked at me, speaking coolly throughout. “Kris might have started the battle, and perhaps even conquered me in a few of them. But he has not – nor will he ever – win this war. At some point, you have to realize that when you’re a Marine wife, love is battlefield, and there are times you’ll have to go to war in your marriage, and for your marriage.”
“When did you find out?”
“Last year.”
I gasped. “You never told me anything. You never even looked like anything was happening.”
She chuckled quietly. The twinkle in her eye glistened. I waited for her to respond to my statement, unspoken questions that awaited as-of-then for answers to be provided. There was no way I wasn’t leaving without knowing the details of this entire situation.
My nerves began to fray as I watched her slowly kiss the glass of strawberry lemonade mixed with Svedka. She still hadn’t responded, but she giggled as she peered off in the distance, lost in her own thoughts, laughing at secret memories I had no knowledge of. She almost looked crazy, chuckling to herself as she stared on the wall where her family pictures were placed, like I wasn’t there.
“Hello. Earth to Kelli: Your best friend is here on the couch, scared her husband is cheating on her thanks to your assertions.” I waved my hand in her peripherals. “Only to be informed that you – her best friend – had a cheating husband on top of it all.”