DANGEROUS AFFAIR

"Little Miss Muffet Sat on her tuffet, Eating her curd and whey; Along came a spider, And sat down beside her, Frightened Miss Muffet away, oh yeah Frightened Miss Muffet away" "Little Jack Horner Sat in the corner Eating his delicious pie, He stuck in his thumb And pulled out a plum And said" “What a good boy What a good boy What a good boy am I”  Ethan recited for the umpteenth time as he walked into the house hurriedly as if being pressed. He shrugged off his backpack immediately and started the recital all over again not minding his books which were scattered all over the rug as his backpack was not properly zipped. Terry struggled with the bags containing groceries which were packed in his face as he opened the half-closed door with his back, he closed it with his leg and dumped the bags on the counter. He had gone to pick Ethan up from school and then branched at the grocery store to get the things needed at home. Ethan made the drive seem like forever as he would not stop screaming out his recitals no matter how hard Terry tried to change the topic and get his mind off it but Ethan would just quickly reply and resume his poem. Terry saw no reason why Ethan had to keep going over it several times when he knew all the words already, but just like his mother, Ethan was resilient and would not give up until he was satisfied with his performance, which from the look of things isn't anytime soon. "Ethan, I think that's enough for now. You can go over it later... when you are through with your homework which I'm sure is many" Terry said calmly as he tried to cajole him. "I already did" Ethan quickly answered and resumed his recital. "That's good of you but you could still go over them again, you know" Terry pressed further "I will do that later. I need to memorize this recital, it's due tomorrow and I need all my scores intact" Ethan asserted "Yes, that's my boy" Terry exclaimed and then paused for a minute before he picked up his case again. He wondered why schools still do that, give recitals. Not all kids like it. When he was Ethan's age, he didn't enjoy the recitals, not even the most interesting ones, he would rather be tested through writing than oral. He was a very shy kid and so standing in front of the whole class with their eyes glued on him wasn't exactly easy for him, most times he would pretend to be sick, any excuse just to get out of reciting... "But, you and I know that you already know the recital word for word, now let's do something else. How about you pack your books for a start?" They both scanned through the books that were on the ground. "Okay, dad..." Ethan agreed and started packing his books into his backpack roughly and before Terry could even leave his spot, he was already running to his room dragging the bag carelessly along with him. "Good," Terry said quietly to himself happy he finally got Ethan to stop. "Done!!!" Ethan exclaimed as he ran back into the living room and resumed his recitals. "Hmmm... I guess we would have to wait till you sleep to have a breathing space then" Terry sighed, as he stood akimbo while looking helplessly as Ethan jumped around the room screaming on top of his voice. Since he seemed so happy as he recited, Terry thought it was best to let him be and so he went over to sort out the groceries. "Good luck with that when your mother gets back" Terry mumbled to himself as he continued with the groceries. Terry and Anabel's parents are friends so naturally, they became friends too. Right from childhood, they both have had soft spots for each other. They were so close, they did things together, went to school, and left together. Their parents would have to inform the other before picking them from school since they won't leave separately even if both of their parents are around. In cases like this, one of them would have to leave without their child and wait till they get home to reunite. At first, it was just innocent children's love but as years went by, this love grew into something deeper and stronger. Anabel is a go-getter and doesn't back down. She was the first to initiate the love talk, though Terry felt the same way, he was too shy to ask her. He feared he might lose their friendship in the case of rejection so instead, he channeled all his feelings into their friendship. When she eventually asked Terry, he was so delighted and relieved. Bottling up his feelings hasn't been easy, it has been eating him up. Long story short, they started dating. Their love was so intoxicating, and it wasn't long before people started to figure out they were together. A few years later, Terry officially popped the question and they got married, it was a small gathering with only family and close friends. That was twelve years ago, Terry was twenty-six at the time while Anabel was twenty-three. Looking at how close and intimate they are, one would think they just got married. Their bond is so tight and their love is just so sweet. For some reason, Anabel and Terry both agreed on waiting for a while before having kids. The first being that, they wanted to enjoy their union and also take time to prepare for the kids. The other reason was because of Anabel's work, she had just opened her restaurant then, the stress was much. Terry even had to help most times, it was that demanding. They didn't want to put their kids through the stress or have them competing for their parent's time and attention. Three years into their marriage, they decided it was time. Anabel got pregnant with Ethan who is now eight years old. How time flies! Anabel is a practical example of "knowing what one wants and getting it" success was not granted to her on a platter of gold, she worked so hard for it. She studied catering and culinary arts and went fully into cooking when she got married. With the experience she garnered during the course of her internships and several volunteer jobs, she was able to build her restaurant from scratch to one of the top three in the state. Numerous times, critics have tried to tear her down but being a fierce and resilient woman, she always pulled through. She started a cooking show after a while, the show's primary purpose is to create the needed visibility for new chefs. At the outset, interested persons were to send applications and they were selected at random. The selected ones are then granted means to showcase their cooking skills and ultimately an interview with Anabel, the CEO. Within six months of commencement, the show had already gotten a huge following, and applications became more and more every week. The few randomly selected were no longer enough so a new twist was added. Internship was introduced, an opportunity to learn from the best. That way, the show was able to preserve its purpose. On the other hand, Terry is a gentle version of Anabel, hardworking, intelligent, calm, and collected. He is a writer, but unlike Anabel, he works from home. Since Anabel is mostly at work, Terry looks after their son, Ethan. Ethan is a version of both Terry and Anabel, he got his attributes from both of them. Whenever he did something or reacted in a way, people could easily say "oh, he got that from Terry", "oh, he takes exactly after Anabel". "What are we having for dinner, dad?" Ethan finally paused his recitals. "I don't know, what do you want?" Terry asked as he raised his head which was buried in his laptop. "Mac and cheese" Ethan exclaimed as he jumped up excitedly while using Terry's laps as support. "Mac and cheese it is then," Terry said smiling brightly. He held Ethan by the hand and they both head into the kitchen adjoining the living room. It was just a formality when he asked Ethan what he would like to eat, he already knew what the answer would be. Macaroni and cheese is Ethan's best food, he could have it ten times in a day without complaining. Opening the front door quietly, Anabel peered in and listened. Loud movements, loud voices were coming from the kitchen. she slipped in quietly and closed the door behind her. Slowly and calmly, she walked towards the kitchen. "Boom" she yelled imitating an imaginary bomb that was meant to scare them as she stepped into the kitchen. "Mummy!!!" Ethan exclaimed as he jumped on her and hugged her tightly "Ohh, my juicy papaya, I missed you so much," Anabel said as she ran her hands through his soft hair. "I miss you too mum. Dad and I went out after school today" He continued still tightly hung on Anabel. "Ohh really..." Anabel asked feigning a shocked look as she turned to face Terry who was now standing next to them and smiling all the while. "Yeah, to get some groceries. How was work today?" Terry replied and kissed her on the lips, he kissed Ethan too before taking him from Anabel, relieving her of the weight. "Hectic" Anabel replied as she tiredly heaved a sigh of relief. "You?" Anabel asked too "Nothing new" Terry replied as he sat Ethan down on the counter and went to check on what he was cooking. Anabel moved close to him and sniffed in the air which was filled with the sweet aroma of the food, they both burst into laughter at her dramatic display. "Ethan darling, Hope you didn't disturb daddy today?" Anabel asked as she walked back to Ethan and started playing with his cheeks. "Nope" He replied amidst his hearty laughs. "Nope?" Terry exclaimed as he quickly turned back and looked at Ethan, shocked he could say no after all the tantrums he pulled earlier. Ethan debated inventing a quick story supporting his claims but somehow he knew no story was going to convince his mum since she knew how playful he is. "Let me quickly freshen up before the food gets ready" Anabel chipped in putting an end to Ethan's dilemma as she picked up her shoes and bag which she had dropped earlier when Ethan jumped on her. "Wait, let me get that for you" Terry called her back, he was referring to the zip of her gown. Anabel would have had to come back to get it undone if he had not remembered. "That is so thoughtful of you," Anabel said as she raked her hands through her long brown hair and held it up so Terry could easily unzip her. She headed down the hallway into the bedroom afterward. She grabbed the towel as she entered the room, hurriedly took off her gown, and flung it on the bed before going into the bathroom. The cold shower cooled her and altered her mood from exhaustion. She raised her face to the shower, with eyes tightly closed as the water coursed through her hair down to her whole body. Ten minutes. That's all she used in taking a shower and getting changed. She threw on a white t-shirt and a pair of floral shorts. She then packed her hair roughly into a bun. As she tried to stand up, a wave of weakness hit her. She sat still for a minute, waiting for the odd sensation to pass. It hit her again when she stood and headed for the door. Staggering, she sat back down, this time at the edge of the bed, she anchored her fist on her laps and kept her head down. The spell passed, and Anabel stood slowly. She needed sleep, that's all. A full night would fix her up. The last two days at work have been hectic. She got invited to a cooking show which is in two days, the same day as hers. She has rescheduled twice in the past so she couldn't cancel again. She didn't have to do much on the show, just answer some questions but she had to make necessary arrangements for another host for her own show. As she walked to the living room, she thought about the things that still need to be put in place for the week's show. It's not as if her workers are not competent but being "Anabel", she wouldn't leave anything to chance, not a single stone would be left unturned. The dining table was already set, Terry was dishing out the food by the time Anabel got there. She gave him an appraisal look as she rubbed his back gently and took her seat beside him. Ethan was also seated opposite her, he was beaming with obvious joy as he salivated waiting to pounce on his food. He dived in, the moment his plate was filled while Terry and Anabel just looked as their son gulped down his meal. Terry said a short prayer while holding Anabel's hand and the other hand raised up in the air, as Ethan was busy with his. It wasn't long before Ethan finished his meal, he cleared his dishes and took them to the kitchen. "I'm going to take a quick shower," Ethan said as he walked over to Terry's side "Could you wait for a little while so I can come with you?" Terry asked as he looked over the remaining contents on his plate. It was still much. "No dad, enjoy your meal" Ethan replied smiling. He loves moments like this when Terry is busy and he has to do things by himself. It is an opportunity for him to explore in his own little way. "Okay..." Anabel said watching the father-son talk. "Alright then. Call me if you need anything" Terry said and resumed his meal "I'm eight, dad, not three. I can handle a shower" Ethan yelled as he sped off into his room. "That's my boy" Anabel added loudly so Ethan could hear. "Really?" Terry asked as he watched Anabel grin with her mouth full "What? My baby is all grown up now" Anabel said dramatically, shaking her head as she did. "Of course, one would wonder why you still call him a baby then" They both burst into laughter afterward. Ethan took his time in the bathroom, He sat in the tub for a while. Speaking to himself and ordering imaginary maids. He pictured himself as a king talking to his subjects. It was such a funny sight to behold. Terry and Anabel were through with their meal by the time he got out. Terry wanted to check on him but Anabel stopped him "let him enjoy his shower, he clearly wants to be alone" She said as she pulled Terry back from going into his room. They were both working on their laptops when Ethan came out, he wore blue pajamas. He jumped right in between them. Terry was sitting on one end of the couch while Anabel sat at the other end. Ethan rested his head on Anabel's shoulders and his legs on Terry's lap. "Sat in the corner Eating his delicious pie, He stuck in his thumb And pulled out a plum And said" “What a good boy What a good boy What a good boy am I”  Ethan mumbled in his sleep. Terry and Anabel didn't even know he was asleep. Anabel noticed when he went silent but she thought he was engrossed in the pictures she was sliding through. "What's that?" Anabel asked as she turned to Terry for answers "Why do you think he went silent the moment I queried him earlier when you asked if he disturbed me?" Terry replied laughing at his wife's reaction. "Really?" Anabel exclaimed as she closed her laptop. She gently adjusted Ethan's head to rest on her lap. "Yes. Apparently, they have this recital tomorrow and you know how he gets with his studies" Terry replied still laughing "I wish I had recorded it, I would have shown it to him in the morning," Anabel said fondling through Ethan's hair. "The one thing that got me through his tantrums this afternoon was the fact that he would eventually stop when he sleeps but here we are" Terry added. He stopped laughing and resumed working on his laptop. "I guess he got it from his dad," Anabel said with a smirk, taunting Terry in the process. "What? How?" Terry exclaimed looking around the room as if to find the answer written somewhere on the wall. "I don't know. Maybe because you love reading" Anabel replied. "Not out loud and besides you also love reading just as much as I do" Terry exclaimed playing along with Anabel's taunt. "He definitely got that from you" He added firmly "Now you are just being mean, I'm not in any way loud," Anabel said as she tilted her head towards Terry and tickled him by the side. "Well, you don't sound quiet when we..." Terry said silently as he moved his head closer to Anabel's. "Ethan is here..." Anabel quickly cautioned him. "Yeah, I know. I can see him. And I can also see that he is sleeping," Terry said sarcastically while dismissing her fear. "So?" Anabel whispered. She was still conscious of Ethan's presence even though he was deep asleep. "So, I'm saying we go into the room and play some games, let's see who wins tonight. Of course, after I take him to bed" Terry whispered too and kissed her on the cheek. "Sounds good. Let's do it" she affirmed. Anabel wanted to take Ethan into the room but Terry offered to do it instead. He gently lifted him off Anabel and carried him to his room. He also checked around the room before leaving. The bathroom wasn't a mess like he had thought it would be — Ethan's imaginary subjects must have helped him clean up... Anabel felt the onset of a headache as she got up. But she didn't mind, she was about to have a sweet night. The bright light from the chandelier wasn't helping her headache, she switched it off and joined Terry who was still in Ethan's room. Anabel signaled to Terry with a click of her fingers. It was time to go to their room and get busy. They both took turns as they kissed Ethan on the forehead. They left and closed the door quietly behind them.