Faithfulness

A man sits alone in a loft apartment in a familiar city. His jacket is in a pile next to him and his shirt collar is wrinkled and worn. His head is in his hands and he lets out a deep sigh that signifies his resolve to do the hardest thing that he will ever do.

The last few hours have been spent in that corner of the apartment wrestling with his thoughts. He arrived in that corner after a long day at work and opening the door to his loft to find evidence of a cheating wife. He has been aware of the affair for some time now, but now her unfaithfulness is certain. The affair is not the only thing that he has been wrestling with.

Just a few days ago while out with other couples his wife had spoken words to him that broke him. The words of the young wife have since faded and are now vague, but the wounds that they left remain. That was the final night that she could even look him in the eye.

The man rises now from his corner of torment and looks around the room and his eyes land on a spot where they had once told each other how much they love each other and how there would never be a time when their love could not overcome anything this world could throw at them. That day and that spot are only faded memories now.

As he leaves the loft with his jacket still slumped in the corner the man steps onto the pavement and the cold wind takes his breath away, but it does not weaken his resolve to do what must be done.

He drives to the home where he knows his wife and lover are. He opens the car door and strides to the door with his head down. About half way up the sidewalk he hears the door begin to open. His wife straightens her collar as she steps out of the door. As she lifts her eyes they meet his. Fear and shame paint her face and tears instantly overcome them both.

But his resolve is strong and the emotion of the moment is not strong enough to break that resolve. He removes his hands from his pockets and his hand reaches her and in a perfect motion he brings her close and embraces her and whispers “I love you, I forgive you.”