“Maybe you can make a trip to the grocery store instead of making yourself scarce,” Leigh called after him.
He grunted in return and then closed the door to what Gwen assumed was their master bedroom.
“He’s usually not home until six or so. I think he goes out of his way to miss the witching hour,” Leigh said. “But he knew you were coming, so.”
So what? He’d wanted to meet Gwen? She couldn’t imagine Jeff caring enough to meet one of Gwen’s new friends, especially in the context of a baby get-together.
“Oh, that’s nice,” Gwen said, unsure if this was the correct response.
“He said he forgot I was having company, but he totally remembered.”
Leigh seemed irritated by this, and Gwen waited for her to say more.
“There was this ... thing ... when we lived in Santa Cruz,” Leigh said, waving her hand in the air, as if this “thing” were as silly and innocuous as a buzzing-about housefly.
Leigh sat on the couch again, while Belle continued hanging out in the lounger. Gwen resumed her seat on the couch next to Leigh, June in her lap.
“Nathan refers to it as myindiscretion,” she said, using a British accent for “indiscretion.”
Gwen still had no idea what she was getting at.
“This woman in my psychology program. It was nothing, but Nathan freaked out about it.”
The gears in Gwen’s brain turned slowly. A woman in her psychology program. An indiscretion.
“It was a brief fling situation. It didn’tmeananything. Nathan saw a text from her on my phone. Freaked out.”
Gwen understood now.
“That’s pretty much why we moved,” she said. “He was that bothered by it, said he couldn’t stomach living in the same city as this woman.”
Gwen had so many questions, but none she felt comfortable asking.
“Anyway, that’s why he was a little unnerved when I mentioned you were coming over,” she said.
“Oh” was all Gwen could say.
“I told him you’remarried, that you have akid, that we are in asupport groupwith moms. I guess he still felt he had to come home and see for himself.”
“Oh, well, I guess I understand that,” Gwen said.
Leigh seemed to think this was all dumb, but Gwen understood her husband’s angst. Leigh had cheated on him. The fact that it was with a woman, that it “didn’t mean anything,” likely did not provide much comfort.
“He knew I was bi when we met,” Leigh said. “I didn’t hide it from him or anything.”
Gwen took in this information and tried to keep her face neutral, though she was a little surprised that Leigh was discussing her sexuality when they barely knew each other.
“Anyway, this is all TMI, I’m sure. Sorry, I’m an oversharer,” Leigh said. “I’m sure you could feel some weirdness, so that’s why.”
Gwen bounced June on her knees, thankful for her baby’s giggles to distract her from the awkwardness of this situation.
“I appreciate your sharing,” Gwen said diplomatically.
“Oh god. I’ve made it so weird,” Leigh said. She knelt down to her own baby, probably seeking her own distraction.
Nathan appeared in the hallway, now wearing a pair of expensive athleisure pants and a T-shirt, his hair slick from the shower.
“Did you say you needed something at the store?” he asked Leigh. “I have a call at four, but I can run out now.”
