The Secret

   The whirling winds gusted thrashing hands through the last leaves holding strong to their branches. The evening air was Fall crisp, not winter bitter just yet. Katherine and Nicole swung their arms in unison, speed walking through their quiet neighborhood just as the sun was setting on a week of soccer practices, piano lessons, and softball tryouts. 

     “Well of course Madeline is going to make the team. She’s the only one who can actually hit the ball out of center field,” Nicole said matter-of-factly. 

     “Obviously. And if Jenny makes the team again, well we know it’s because her father pays a substantial ‘donation’ each year to the league. There’s no way she’s making it on skill,” Katherine added. 

     “So listen. Speaking of Jenny, and only because you brought her up, did you know her parents are separated? It's official now. He’s in a condo and Jess is keeping the house. For now. And I heard she’s going to go after him for everything, including their beach house in the Outer Banks. And my guess is she’s going to get it because guess who he’s been messing around with. Sandy!”

     “No! Lauren’s mom Sandy? I can’t believe it!”

     “Oh, believe it! But I’m only telling you, so don’t tell anyone,” Nicole said pointedly. 

     “Who me? You know I can keep a secret, I always do,” Katherine insisted, her left eye twitching with the subtle tell of her dishonesty. 

     The women finished their walk, and said their goodbyes on the corner of Maple and Elm. 

     “See you tomorrow at soccer!” Nicole yelled as she parted ways. 

     “I’ll be there!” Katherine replied, nearly tripping as she rushed toward her house. She took out her phone and texted Kimmy. 

     “Call when you have a minute to talk,” she sent and waited for the response. She poured herself a tall glass of ice water and sat down at her kitchen table, hoping Kimmy would text back. Nearly two minutes of impatiently drumming her fingers on the table finally paid off. With a startling buzz, her phone shook on the table and pinged the recognizable chime of an incoming text. 

     “Now ok?” Kimmy asked. 

     Not bothering to text, Katherine called Kimmy. 

     “You’re not going to believe this. Guess who Tom is messing around with. I mean, for months now. At least! You’ll never even guess, but it’s Sandy! Jess kicked him out, and is suing him for everything he’s got. Say goodbye to the beach house! And all his fancy cars too. The child support has got to be outrageous. Come to think of it, Jess has been sporting a lot of new shoes lately. I guess we know where the money is coming from. But listen, don’t tell anyone,” Katherine ordered as they hung up. 

     Kimmy couldn’t believe it. She always held Tom up on a pedestal. If anyone in their circle had a moral compass, it was surely Tom. Maybe it was all a wicked rumor. Maybe it wasn't true. She had to find out. 

     “Call me,” she texted Liza. Liza would know if this was just a wild story. 

     Dependable and always ready for a chat session, Liza called Kimmy immediately. 

     “Hey girl, what’s up?” Liza asked. 

     “Hey! So I just heard the craziest thing. Tom has been with Sandy for at least a year and Jess is moving to their beach house. Tom has to sell off all his fancy cars just to make child support, and there’s going to be a knock-down-drag-out custody battle soon. Did you know any of this?” Kimmy whispered, not wanting her husband to overhear. He hated when Kimmy got caught up in everyone else’s lives. She used to share the latest with him, but soon realized he wasn’t interested and scowled at her for participating in it all. 

     “That’s insane! I was just talking to Jess the other day and she didn’t mention any of this!” Liza exclaimed. 

     “Liza, don’t tell anyone. I’m sure they don’t want everyone to know,” Kimmy said. 

     “Not a soul,” Liza promised. Then called Dana. 

     “Dana. Sit down. This is going to blow your mind. Tom is marrying Sandy down at their beach house in the Outer Banks. They’ve been together for months now!” Liza squealed, half excited and half appalled. 

     “Are you kidding me? I can’t believe it!” Dana laughed, not sure if she could see Tom married to Sandy. She never would have pegged Sandy as his type, especially after being married to Jess. Stranger things have happened though. 

     “I’m not kidding! It’s true! Kimmy told me! But listen, don't tell anyone!” Liza said. 

     “You know me! Mums the word!” Dana promised. But this was too good to keep in. Dana called Angela. 

     “Just wait til you hear this one! Tom is marrying Sandy any day now because they’ve been together for over a year, are moving to the Outer Banks, and my guess is Sandy is pregnant. Why else would they be doing this? Poor Jess. She can’t be taking this well. She’s going after him for full custody and everything he owns. It’s not pretty,” Dana declared, with a tsk tsk in her voice. 

     “Are you sure? I mean, are you absolutely sure about Sandy?” Angela asked, not believing it could be true. 

     “I’m definitely sure! I have a very reliable source. But don’t tell anyone. Let’s keep this between us. I don’t like to spread rumors, you know,” Dana said. 

     “Oh no, that makes sense. Something like this would surely rattle our group. I mean, we’re all so close. Best friends for so many years!” Angela said. 

     “Thanks, Angela! I knew I could trust you to keep this secret!” Dana said. 

     “Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul,” Angela said, and hung up her phone. She set it down on the counter, and heard footsteps behind her. She turned and smiled. Tom took her face in his hands and kissed her. 

     “What was all that about?” 

     “Nothing, just some gossip. Can’t believe everything you hear, right?” Angela said, and leaned in for another kiss.