I Came Home From Buying Gifts for My Mistress

In truth, I had checked my phone.

Vanessa had texted me six times.

“Are you still there?”

“Is she asleep?”

“I miss you.”

“Send me a picture of the baby.”

I hadn’t replied immediately. I was terrified and thrilled and ashamed all at once.

But I had eventually stepped outside the maternity ward and called her.

I remembered whispering, “I can’t talk long.”

I remembered Vanessa laughing softly and saying, “You sound like a daddy now.”