“Wait… what?” Christine replied, letting go of his hands and slumping back into her seat. Her face went pale with shock.
“You're appalled at me, I see it written all over your face. You don't need to tell me, I hate myself for it too. I'm a disgrace as a man, a husband and father and for that I apologise from the bottom of my heart and promise to seek help”.
“That… that’s all?”
“Yes, nothing else”.
“When…?”
“Well… I spend entire nights in casinos, some away on business trips, others closer to home…”
“No, when did this start?”
“Erm… about five years ago”.
Rachel burst out laughing.
“What's wrong, mother dearest? Looks like you've seen a ghost”.
“Christine, I… I didn't know how to tell you, I wanted to quit or come clean for so long, but I've never had the courage to, I just thought… I just thought this was my one and probably only chance to. I didn't want to live on harbouring this lie, live on a fraud to my family. I did what you wanted, please forgive me and I'll promise to change”, Edward continued.
“I… I don't know what to say”, Rachel choked up.
“Resentment, I know that look”.
“Try guilt”, Rachel interjected, “Overwhelming heart sinking, nausea inducing guilt”.
“Rachel! Shut your fucking mouth!” Christine snapped with a venom that even shocked Edward.
“There she is! That hypocrite who has the audacity to call herself my mother! Where was that monster slumbering all this time?”
“What… what’s going on?” Edward asked, a look of shock and bewilderment cast over his face.
“Mother? Care to tell him?” Rachel provoked her mother. Even Martha’s ears had pricked up, what was this? Revelations abound? Scandalous revelations about her prissy precious daughter? No…
“I swear… you rip us apart and…” Christine sneered.
“And what mother of mine?”
“What the hell is going on? This isn't about me anymore is it?” Edward demanded.
“No, mum told you the truth alright, she just missed out a thing or two, so I'm pretty sure that still constitutes lying”.
“Christine?” She couldn't even make eye contact with him. “Christine, look at me, what's going on?”
Rachel took a step forward and stretched.
“Well all this sharing and caring is so liberating, why don't I go next? Where do I begin? Well, I've smoked pot, I drink like a sailor, I've had multiple partners before marriage, I've lost my faith, not just in the heavens, but my parents too, I've always thought my grandmother was a mean old bat, but at least she's consistent, love you despite that, nan”, Rachel remarked. Martha raised her eyebrow at the remark, as Rachel continued. “What else? Oh yeah, I can't leave out this biggy, I'm as gay as a daisy in May, I like women and I have a girlfriend to whom I’m in love with more than she can possibly know, whom I treasure and trust more than anything or anyone. I'll marry her someday, with or without your blessings. Phew, I think that's about it”. She finished up with both her parents staring at her. “You were right, mother, this session was truly invigorating. You should try it, don't hold back, just tell him everything”.
“Tell me what, Christine?” He asked, returning his attention to her.
She could only stare at him in silence, her eyes welling up with tears and pleading with him not to probe any further.
“Tell me what, Christine?” He repeated, this time more firmly.
“Oh for Christ's sake!” Rachel impatiently interjected, “She was screwing the fucking neighbour”.
Christine shot Rachel a deathly gaze as the entire cabin fell silent with the shocking news.
Edward’s mind went blank, his mouth dry and his vision slightly blurred as he managed to only muster the words, “What…?”
Christine covered her face with her hands and burst into tears.
“Oops, maybe I said a little too much, that wasn't exactly my secret to reveal was it? I guess my part is done here, so with that, I'll take my leave. Thanks mum, you were right, I definitely feel closer to everyone and a great deal more cheery. See you all later”. Rachel slipped out of the cabin without anyone to challenge her, as Edward glared at Christine in stunned silence.
“What…?” He repeated and upon getting naught but sobs from her, his irritation began to overflow. “Christine! Deny it!”
She looked up at him between her fingers, her eyes red and her cheeks smeared with her mascara.
“Deny it! Tell me that what she said was a lie! Tell me anything!”
Choked up, Christine stammered.
“I… I can’t… I…”
Edward stood up abruptly, knocking the chair over.
“What do you mean you can't? Look at me and tell me she's lying! Tell me you didn't…” He ran his hands through his hair. Simply fathoming the idea sickened him, infuriated him.
“Did you sleep with Ben? Did you sleep with our fucking neighbour?”
Christine was once again lost for words.
“You were all fucking talk a minute ago! Where the fuck is your tongue now?”
“You're not so fucking innocent!” Christine screamed back at him.
“I didn't spread my fucking legs for the fucking neighbour though did I? God knows what else you fucking did with him! Jesus fucking…” He paced back and forth in blind fury before taking a vase and flinging it against the wall, shattering it into pieces.
“Fuck!” He roared, as much as his vocal cords would allow for. “How fucking long?”
“Not long…”
“That isn't a goddamned time, Christine! How fucking long?”
“Two…”
“Two months?”
She shook her head meekly.
“Two fucking years? Are you fucking kidding me right now? Please tell me you're joking, please, please for the love of God tell me you are joking! Tell
