A Twisted Marriage

December 3, 20041

My Dear Richard,2

I hope you had a good year. You did a nice job hiding it for a while, I'll give you that much. Telling me you joined some bowling league was a great way to throw me off. And you just happened to always work late the nights that you weren't going bowling. You'd think I would have noticed, or at least been slightly suspicious. But it's not like you ever came home with lipstick smeared on you or smelling like woman's perfume or anything like that. I did notice that you were acting differently though. You seemed in more of a rush and somewhat secretive. It always felt like you were pushing me away. Do you remember that time in June when we were at the beach, and you wouldn't let me sit on your lap? And then you wouldn't even let me kiss you? I never understood why you did that until a week ago.3

Did you think I wouldn't find out? Did you think I was that stupid? I know you don't like bowling. I always tried to get you to go bowling with me, and you never wanted to. Did you forget that? Or did you just think that I would forget? And of course you weren't just working late every night. You didn't bring enough money home for that many hours. One time I called you at the office, and your secretary told me you had left early, at around three o'clock. I convinced myself that my suspicions were wrong, that you wouldn't do that to me. For a while it worked and I was able to ignore the suspicions, but then I started picking up on more signs. You wouldn't go out to eat with me anymore, and you wouldn't make love to me. You were never home. You always found a reason to be busy, to avoid being around me. And every time I was able to keep you around long enough, you seemed uncomfortable, as though you didn't really want to be there.4

Finally, it became too much to handle. I followed you to your "bowling league", which instead led me to a hotel. Yeah, that's right, I know all about Matt, you queer bastard. I should have known. You always seemed different, and it was your sensitivity that attracted me to you in the first place. You were nicer than other men, more sympathetic. And, unlike other men, you never pushed me to do anything that I didn't want to do. You made sure I was ready for anything sexual that we did. I don't know why I never picked up on the fact that you were that way because you're gay.5

I hope you know you're not the only one hiding something in this household though. For three whole years I've been having a blissful affair. You never could satisfy my needs and I finally know why you never wanted to. But, thankfully, I did find someone who could make me feel as good as I deserve. He is perfect, and I love him so much more than I ever loved you. I met him four years ago at a meeting at work. He was so charming and handsome with his short, blond hair and big blue eyes. He dressed so nicely and cleaned up well. It took me a few months before I finally gave into my desire to have him. But I was glad I did. We started off meeting every once in a while, no more than once every two months. But our need to see each other grew and eventually we were seeing each other every month, every week, and soon every day. It got easier when you found Matt because you were so occupied with him that you hardly noticed me. Maybe that's why it took me so long to notice your affair, because I was so busy with mine. My love for Michael is much more real than any love I had for you. And guess what? He takes me bowling.6

I bet you never even caught on to my affair, did you? That's because I am so much better at hiding it than you. I would have been mad and hurt when I found out about yours, but instead I was laughing because of how poorly you hid it. Thinking I would just fall for the typical bowling league and working late story. I thought you knew I was smarter than that, but I guess not. You never really knew me at all.7

Since we haven't exactly had the greatest marriage and we are both cheating on each other anyway, I think it is only best for us to separate. I want a divorce. Then we can both be with the men we love.8

So thank you for the past 10 years, Richard, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your life. I know I will.9

Sincerely,10

Rebecca11

***12

13

The policeman put down the letter, the words "Take that, you hypocritical bitch" scrawled across the top. He looked over at his partner zipping up the body bag, which held the beautiful Rebecca. Her brunette hair covered her face and the bullet hole in the side of her head. Her brown eyes were shut and would never be opened again.14

Meanwhile, Richard was hopping the Canadian border with Matt to get married and live a gay life.