The Case of the Mysterious Condom

That day, I found two condoms in my husband's bag.

He claimed they were distributed by community workers promoting AIDS prevention.

Of course, I didn't believe him. The packaging told me they were sold for twenty bucks each at convenience stores.

A woman's intuition alarmed me my husband was definitely hiding something from me, so I called my best friend...

1.

"Ruth, I have a friend..." I hesitated for a moment before continuing on the phone, "I have a friend who found condoms in her husband's bag."

"So what? Don't they use condoms?" Ruth asked nonchalantly, with the sound of her typing clattering away on the other end.

"They're not the usual kind they use. Can you help my friend figure out what's going on?" I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice from sounding too anxious.

"What else could it be? He's cheating on your friend."

"Are you sure about it? Could it be a prank, or maybe he picked them up from a hotel room while on a business trip?"

"Emma, let me tell you, all those scenarios you mentioned are possible. But think about it. What kind of man carries condoms around if he's not ready to sleep with another woman?" Ruth's tone was firm.

"I understand. Thanks, Ruth." I had already understood the situation and was about to hang up when the typing stopped abruptly, and Ruth suddenly called my name.

"Emma." Ruth hesitated before saying, "Is that friend of yours actually you?"

"Yes." My voice was barely audible, but Ruth still heard it.

She was silent for a moment and then quickly caught on as if she had just pieced the story together. "You're talking about those two condoms in Stuart's bag, right? They were given out by community workers during an AIDS prevention campaign when he dropped me home today. They gave one to each of us, and since I'm single, I gave mine to him."

"But..." I just started speaking when Ruth cut me off.

"Emma, you need to trust Stuart. He's working hard to support the family, and you should give him your full support." Ruth's words left me at a loss for words, and she was right.

For the past ten years, Stuart had been the sole breadwinner for our family, and it hadn't been easy for him.

"Alright, I get it. I was just casually asking, and here you are getting all worked up. Outsiders would think you're Stuart's best friend."

Ruth remained silent for a moment and then angrily retorted, "Come on. How could I possibly be Stuart's best friend?"

I hung up the phone, feeling a weight lift off my chest.

"I'm hungry. Quickly cook for me! You bitch!" Just as the words landed in my ears, a pillow hit me in the face.

"Got it." I picked up the pillow and placed it back on the sofa, then heading into the kitchen.

My husband's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's three years ago.

She didn't remember anyone except her son and often got violent.

In these three years alone, I had been hospitalized due to her more times than I could remember.

That night, as I lay in bed playing on my phone, Stuart hugged me from behind and gently said, "Honey, there's something I need to tell you."

I turned around, puzzled, and asked, "What is it?"

"I ran into Ruth near the office today. She was carrying a lot of things, and since her place was on my way home, I gave her a ride." Stuart avoided my gaze, speaking hesitantly.

"And then?" I asked, watching him with interest.

"Uh... Then I ran into an AIDS prevention campaign in her neighborhood, and the community workers gave me two condoms."

"I see." I replied coldly.

Stuart's explanation matched Ruth's word for word.

"How about we try them out?" Stuart suggested cheekily, pulling me close and showering me with kisses.

I quickly pushed him away and refused, "It's too late, and the child just fell asleep."

"Buzzkill." Stuart grumbled, turning over and falling asleep with his head buried in the pillow.

2.

I tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

I had only called Ruth that afternoon, and Stuart was already explaining things by the evening.

It seemed like they had deliberately coordinated their stories.

My thoughts drifted back to ten years ago.

Ruth, Stuart, and I were college classmates and good friends.

In our sophomore year, Stuart confessed to me, and we started dating.

But even dating didn't affect our friendship with Ruth. We were still hanging out together.

In our senior year, Ruth helped Stuart plan a grand proposal for me and kept it a secret.

Stuart walked towards me under the spotlight, kneeling on one knee to offer me a ring.

Ruth was already in tears, shouting, "Marry him! Marry him!"

After graduation, Stuart and I got married.

I quit my job to become a housewife when I got pregnant, and then we had our daughter, Rita, who was now three years old.

It was said the happiest thing in the world was having your best friend living across the street and your loved one by your side.

Undoubtedly, I was that happiest person.

But Ruth didn't live across the street. She lived in the neighboring community.

Given our years of friendship, there was no way they would do anything inappropriate!

The next morning, Stuart left without having breakfast.

I walked out of the room with dark circles under my eyes, and my husband's mother immediately started scolding me, "You're so ugly. No wonder my son doesn't want to stay for breakfast."

"Come on. I just didn't sleep well last night." I said as I walked into the bathroom.

"Am I not speaking the truth? Who are you giving that attitude to? When my son comes back, I'll have him beat you."

I was used to it. Ever since she got Alzheimer's, I had been hearing things like this several times a day.

In the evening, Stuart called to say he had to work late on a project.

I gave him a few reminders and hung up, but my husband's mother chimed in with her usual sarcasm, "My son is working hard in the company, while you can stay carefree at home."

Sometimes I even wondered if she was faking her illness. How could someone with Alzheimer's be so sharp-tongued?

After dinner, I put my daughter to bed.

Stuart didn't come home that night.

The next morning, I prepared breakfast and called my husband's mother to eat.

Unexpectedly, she threw a fit when she saw the food on the table.