I never told my husband’s family that I understood Spanish – Until I heard my mother-in-law say, “She must not know yet”
“They weren’t sure if Mateo was my child. “
“And no one thought to tell me? “
“They told me at Thanksgiving”, he added. “They brought the official documents. They confirmed that Mateo was my son. “
I laughed. “Oh, what a relief! “
“Sandra… “
“Why they had a doubt… “
Luis nodded.
“Oh, what a relief! “
“They said they were trying to protect me. “
“Protect you? Of what? From your wife? From your own child? “
“I know that… I know it’s bad. I was furious when they told me. “
“They said they were trying to protect me. “
“So why didn’t you tell me? “
“Because they asked me not to do it”, he said. “They said this test proved Mateo was mine, so there was no reason to tell you about it. They said it would only cause problems. “
“And you believed them. “
“So why didn’t you tell me? “
“I didn’t know what to do”, he replied. “I was ashamed. “
I stood there staring at my husband, this man I had loved.
“Do you know what you did? You showed me that you don’t really trust me. “
“It’s not true… I never would have… “
“If. They questioned my loyalty. They secretly tested our child. And you said NOTHING. “
I stood there staring at my husband, this man I had loved.
Luis stood up and held out his hands to me. But I walked away.
“What do you want me to do? he asked. “Tell me”
I took a deep breath.
“I need you to understand something. I’m not asking you to choose between me and your parents. I tell you that you have already made your choice. And you chose wrong. “
“I’m not asking you to choose between me and your parents. “
“Sandra… I’m sorry. I did not want… “
“From now on. I will always come first. “
“Okay. Yes. I promise you. “
We stood there in silence for a long time. Finally, Luis spoke.
“What are you going to do? About them? “
“I don’t know yet if I believe you. “
I looked out the door, imagining his parents downstairs, probably wondering what we were talking about.
