I leaned back in my chair at my office thinking about what Sarah had said this morning at breakfast. She said simply that she was sure she was pregnant. As I leaned back, I thought back to the fateful Friday night more than five years earlier when I decided to pick Sarah up from her job and take her to dinner. I had pulled up to her office just before five and waited across the street for her to come out. Soon the rest of the people who worked with her had come out and had gotten into their cars and left. I waited another five minutes and decided I would go in and get her.
I crossed the street and entered her building and looked around for her office. I had never been there before so I really didn't know where it was. I did hear voices coming from one office and I quietly approached. The door was ajar and I peaked in, still not making any noise. I was stunned to see Sarah being hugged from behind by a tall good-looking black guy. I pulled back so that they couldn't see me and strained to hear what they were saying. I glanced up at the nameplate on the door and saw the name Robert Johnson. I knew that was Sarah's boss because she had mentioned his name on several occasions. He was vice-president of the division and Sarah was his administrative assistant.
I then heard Sarah tell Robert "Last night has to be the one and only time that we get together. It can't happen again. I just can't cheat on Dan again. I love Dan and I can't hurt him. You understand that, don't you?" I immediately thought back to the night before and recalled that Sarah had been almost an hour late, with her explaining that she had to finish a project before she could leave. I knew right then what the project had been-they had sex last night before she had come home. I started to get mad but I heard Sarah again tell Robert that she couldn't have an affair with him. I calmed down a little and listened to them talk.
"I love Dan with all my heart and I feel really guilty about betraying him. I could hardly look at him last night after I got home. I had to lie to him, and I've never lied before. I really hated that."
"I'm sorry you had to do that, but you did enjoy our time together, didn't you?"
"Oh, yes, I did, Robert. It was fantastic and I want you to know that you are a terrific lover. If things were different, I would be all yours. But I just can't. You would probably get me pregnant, and how could I possibly explain a black baby to Dan?"
"I do not like condoms but for you I would wear one."
"But they are not foolproof and I would always be worrying about getting pregnant. And besides, I would want you to enjoy yourself completely, too. Now give me one last good-bye kiss and I have to get home to my husband. Maybe we can talk more on Monday."
I then took my leave and got to my car as fast as I could. A couple minutes later, Sarah came out and started toward her car. I honked and she ran over to my car. I told her that I wanted to take her out to dinner and we quickly decided on a restaurant. We took both cars and arrived a few minutes later. The drive gave me a little time to collect my thoughts and we sat down to have a good dinner. I knew that I had to talk to her about Robert but I didn't want to make Sarah feel bad. I didn't say anything at dinner, deciding to wait to get home.
We got settled in front of the TV and I decided that I would just come out with it.
"Sarah, you know I love you with all my heart and that I want you to be happy with our life together, but I have a confession to make." She quickly got a worried look on her face. "I have to tell you that I actually got to your office about fifteen minutes before you came out. I came in, looking for you, and I saw you with Robert and listened to your conversation." She immediately burst into tears.
"Oh, Dan. I am so sorry."
"I know. I heard you tell him that you couldn't see him again and I could tell that you really felt bad about last night and that you really love me." Sarah couldn't stop crying and I moved closer to comfort her. "I also heard that you and Robert really enjoyed each other and that deep down you would like to continue." I couldn't believe what I was getting ready to say but then I heard myself speaking. "I have another confession to make. The idea of you and Robert together actually turns me on. I can't explain it but it does. It wouldn't be cheating if I knew about it. I know it would give you pleasure and I want that."