The misunderstanding

It was an accident. I meant to imply, of course, that it wasn't on purpose, there was no intent involved. She raised an eyebrow and I realized that my eyes were wide, the innocent expression I use when I am lying my ass off.

I looked down and tried again. "I would never do anything to deliberately hurt you." Her silence was maddening and her gaze was so intense, she could have, should have, been a police detective. "Sweetheart."

"Don't," she admonished, emphatically.

I rubbed my hands through my hair and locked them behind my head, my eyes were now on my own knees. I practiced my breathing to calm myself. When I looked up, my eyes were filled with tears. "You have to believe me, I never meant to sleep with your sister."

"You slept with my sister?!" Her mouth was open in an ugly, cavernous sort of way.

"Wasn't that what you were talking about?" I was floundering now, lost.

"Well, that's disgusting and unacceptable and you can pack your things and get the hell out. I was upset because you didn't take out the garbage like you had promised."

The garbage walked out the door...