Mark’s wife drops the bomb

By Mother-in-law

I am still tired from the chama meeting I hosted yesterday. Such meetings used to be business-like with perhaps a cup of tea served. But not these days. Things have gone ‘up market’. Some women even have outside caterers. I am proud to say I made the snacks I served as well as the tea and juices.

The chama gave me a chance to get Mark’s wife’s taunting about a secret concerning my fourth born Luke off my mind. But now that I am free, that threat of a secret is haunting me. What could it be? The only thing I can think of is that he secretly got married. Well it’s about time he settled down. He is 35 after all.

But who did he marry, if indeed he is married? He has neither brought a girl home, nor have I ever bumped into him with a woman in town. Maybe he has a new job. But what kind of hush-hush, juicy secret is that? Maybe he has a new roommate. So what? What’s the big deal about that? Actually, maybe it is significant.

Enraging call

He has shared an apartment with Jack for 10 years. In fact, Jack is like a son to me. I have often wondered whether he has a family because he is always hanging around at my family events. I don’t mind because his good taste in dÈcor and event management skills are unparalleled. I only wish he would not show up wearing skinny jeans like a teenage girl.

The ringing phone interrupted my thoughts. Speak of the devil! It was Mark’s estranged wife.

"Why have you been avoiding my calls? she began. How rude — not even a simple greeting.

"I have been trying to rest. You know you make my blood boil," I replied.

"Well, I am about to make it boil some more," she laughed.

"Please get to the point if you intend to tell my your so-called secret. Don’t waste my time," I said.

"What’s Luke’s roommate’s name?" she asked.

"What? Stop playing games I don’t want to answer a childish quiz?" I replied. As she had predicted, my blood had begun to boil.

"Okay. Never mind. Luke and Jack do more than share an apartment. They are gay lovers," she announced.

I laughed.

"You don’t know what you are talking about. You really are malicious and resorting to lies," I said. I was still laughing at her desperation to hurt me when I hung up.