Without thinking about it, I took a couple of steps back to get out of the way of the lightning that was about to smite him.

“Seriously, Ginger,” he continued, “I wouldn’t lie to you.”

Now, I busted out laughing. I mean, I laughed so loud and for so long that all Jeremy could do was stand there and wait for me to get it together. It really took me about a minute to gather myself enough to ask him, “So you wouldn’t lie to me?” But then, I stopped all laughter when I said, “What’s so sad about this is you think I’m stupid.” I paused. “I talked to Katrina and she told me everything!"

He paused. And for a moment, there it was. Just a little bit of a twitch of his eyebrow, just a little shift of his feet and in that instant, I was relieved. Maybe Jeremy still did have a soul.

Then, he said, “Wait, what does she look like?"

"Jeremy!” I shouted his name, which was something I never did. My parents had never raised their voices and I had followed their lead. But Jeremy was driving me to places I never thought I’d go. “Do. Not. Even. Try. To. Play. Me.”

"Ohhhhh.” He snapped his fingers as if he’d had a sudden recall. "I know who you're talking about. I didn’t recognize the name Katrina. I call everyone by their last names.” Then he paused. “But are you for real? You think there’s something going on with me and her? She’s someone who came by the church seeking counsel and you can ask Lizzy. She’s sat in on every session.”

So this woman had been to the church and I hadn’t noticed?

“And so, what? You suddenly remember that? Now you know who I’m talking about?”

"Yeah, it took me a minute, but Ginger, you’ve got to know....” He took a step toward me. “I would never dishonor you....” He got closer. “In that way at all.” He reached for me and I frowned, confused. Did this man really think he could hold me and kiss away my fury?

I took a step away from him. “Do not touch me.”

He sighed and dropped his hands to his side. "You’re being ridiculous. I don’t care what she told you; you’ve been married to me. You know me.”

“And I know what she told me, too.”

“She’s delusional,” he said, raising his voice for the first time. “I don’t like sharing people’s issues, but you’ve left me no choice.” He paused and his face became clouded with sadness, as if he was grieved by what he was about to say. Finally, he spoke, “She’s a woman who’s struggling with the death of her baby's father.”