John strode past his sister and headed down the stairs and into the kitchen. Rachel and the kids were sitting there eating fruit loops. He stood there for a minute, realizing that his little fantasy was soon going to be over. Rachel stood up as soon as she saw John enter the kitchen, and went over to the coffee machine. Wendy followed John into the kitchen and her and Rachel shared a look. It was a look that said that there were no secrets here this morning. They both turned and looked at John.
"Go finish your movie, guys," Rachel said to the children. They both took off into the family room leaving only the adults.
"John?" Rachel asked. It was a question that really asked everything.
"John," Wendy said simply.
John started to sweat. He wanted to crawl into a hole. It was moments like this that defined who a man really was. He didn't want to be a timid little coward who cheated and lied.
John went over to Rachel and pulled her against him. Her massive chest squeezed between them, as he looked her in the eyes. "I love you," he said and kissed her passionately. She kissed him back, wrapping her arms around him.
They stepped apart, holding hands and looked over at Wendy.
"Well I guess that settles that," Wendy said. "Now, what?"
"I guess I'd better call Kathy."
"She'll be furious," Wendy said.
"I don't think so. She can have the house. She doesn't even like the kids."
"You're being a little simplistic," Wendy said. "Life's way more complicated..."
John cut her off. "I see everything so clearly now. I'm tired of doing the wrong thing and banging my head against the wall. I've got to make a few phone calls."
John found Wendy and Rachel drinking coffee together in the living room, when he came back. He went over to Rachel and kissed her, sitting down next to her. She melted against him, eyes wide, mouth open.
"Well?" Wendy asked.
"I told her I was leaving her and that I was taking the kids. I told her that she could have the house and that we'd work out visitation and that my lawyer would be in contact with hers. For once in her life, she didn't have much to say. She asked who would be watching the kids and I told her Rachel would. She didn't say much more that that, except that she wanted all of my stuff gone by the time she got home."
"Where will you go?" Rachel asked.