My Daughter Bought Us DNA Kits for Christmas As a Joke – Then a 3:14 a.m. Message Made Me Pack Bags and Leave
After Mark left for work, I went back on the app and clicked on Maya’s profile.
I sat at the kitchen table in my robe with my coffee going cold, and stared at her face for hours. She had the same eyes as Mark, and she had his mother’s nose. She had the same smile as Mark, too.
The DNA said she was his daughter, and she looked like she was his child. The only missing piece of the puzzle was the “when.” When had Mark been unfaithful to me?
That night, Maya sent me a message through the app: We need to talk.
The only missing piece of the puzzle was the “when.”
I stared at it for a long time. I thought about not answering. I thought about waking Mark up and holding the phone in front of his face and watching him explain it.
Then I typed back.
Our messages were short at first. Maya was guarded, and so was I. Then she wrote, in all capitals, the way people type when they’re past the point of performing calm:
PLEASE COME SEE ME. I’LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING.
Maya was guarded, and so was I.
***
The following morning, I told Mark I was visiting my mom for a few days. He kissed my cheek and said to drive safe. Instead, I packed a bag and drove to the town where Maya had asked to meet.
Halfway there, another message came through.
Please come here instead.
She gave me the name of a hospital.
I didn’t ask questions. I just kept driving.
Another message came through.
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