She took a package of chicken from the refrigerator and soaked it in salted water for ten minutes. She was a firm believer in brining the chicken before cooking. It made it more tender.

She stirred together a marinade and let the chicken steep in it for a half hour. She sliced the potatoes and placed them in a single layer in a baking dish, then placed the chicken on top. It was a new recipe she had picked up from a magazine. The juice from the chicken and marinade soaked into the potatoes as they roasted in the oven. String beans almondine would be a side dish. She never realized how easy it was to make fancy vegetables. Sliced almonds browned in butter and then tossed through the steamed beans. She felt like a gourmet chef.

Twenty minutes later, her husband arrived with an apple pie and vanilla ice cream.

“Oh my goodness. Where did you get a fresh apple pie at this hour?”

He didn’t want to tell her that he had made his own journey to Stillwell Art Center. He waited until she was on her way so she wouldn’t know he was following her. She had been acting out of character, and he thought something was amiss. It was a good half hour before he went into the center. He had checked the floor plan of the center on the Internet and confirmed the existence of an origami studio and the workshop. He waited until a half hour passed before he went into the center and kept close to the foliage. He had been on surveillance several times so he was sure he could avoid her line of sight, especially with the studio being tucked away on the side wing. Relieved she was really where she said she going to be, he spotted a pastry shop where the aroma of fresh-baked pies wafted through the air. Even though they didn’t bake on the premises, the smell of fresh pastry was undeniable. He knew he would have to come clean once they both got back to the house, but it would be a good opportunity for him to find out what was going on in his wife’s head.

“I have a confession to make.” He set the pie on the table and pulled out two chairs.

This was when Tori knew he was going to tell her about his affair. She remained calm and collected.

“OK. Go ahead.”

“You are probably going to have a conniption fit,” he said plainly.

She thought, You have no idea. I have been waiting for this moment.

She pulled her phone from her purse, set it on the table, and primly folded her hands. “OK. Go ahead.”

“I followed you today.” He looked up at her.

Tori was stunned. “You did what?” she said with some skepticism.

“I followed you to the Stillwell Center.”

Tori was totally confused. “But why?”