The Stink of Betrayal

by Ellen Pepper 

 

Maria's fingers hover over the keyboard; writing a reply to the man who betrayed her and now, after months of silence, has decided that he had made a mistake and wants back into her life.

 Joshua,

What do you want from me? What kind of situation/relationship/friendship do you intend to have with me?

The reason I ask is that I want to be with a man who is quite content to be with me alone - a man who doesn't swan off and entertain other women for shits and giggles.
I am a loyal, faithful person who does not carry on with more than one man at a time. I focus on my partner. That's what I deserve in return. That's all I will tolerate from now on.

If all you want from me is friendship, fine. Describe what friendship looks like to you so I know where I'd stand. I may not decide that your concept of friendship matches mine.
I don't want any more surprises. 

What I want is a man who won't lie to me. Won't be mendacious. Won't lie by omission. 

I should have protected myself. I shouldn't have trusted you to be the man you presented yourself to be. I thought you were real but you weren't, were you? You put on a good show. Problem is, you put on that same show for others. It was your courtship dance. I see that now. Very charming but, ultimately, as inauthentic as a creosote tan.

And now, in thinking it over...perhaps it would be wiser to just let this go. I will never be able to replicate the same trust that I had before my eyes were opened to your disloyalty and deception.

 I was told the truth by someone who had first-hand knowledge of what you did. The truth always comes out and, when it does, it stinks of betrayal.

 After reading it over, Maria clicks Send and watches it vanish into the ether. She does not expect a reply. 

 ©Ellen Pepper 2025