For nearly two years, all Jamie could think about was reuniting with his wife and daughter. He missed crucial years of his daughter growing up, and it broke his heart. But duty called, and he understood. However, the reunion wasn’t what he had imagined. When Jamie finally embraced his daughter again, she told him he had to meet her “new dad.” Jamie’s heart sank as he wondered who this “new dad” could be. Was his wife unfaithful, or was something else at play?
A Mysterious Drawing
While stationed in Iraq, Jamie received letters from family and friends weekly. His daughter often sent drawings, which he cherished. One day, a drawing arrived that left Jamie puzzled – it featured his wife, daughter, and a mysterious man.
The man was dressed similarly to Jamie, which only deepened his confusion. Who was this man, and why was he in a picture with Jamie’s family? The question gnawed at him, but he tried to brush it off as nothing more than a child’s imagination.
Doubts Begin to Form
Despite his efforts to dismiss the drawing, Jamie couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling it gave him. His mind kept returning to the image, trying to piece together a possible explanation.
this a family friend, or was there something his wife wasn’t telling him? As the days passed, Jamie began to notice other small details in his letters that seemed off – vague responses, hurried notes, and sometimes, a certain distance in his wife’s words.
The Waiting Game
As Jamie continued his tour in Iraq, he pushed his worries to the back of his mind, focusing on his duties. But every night, as he lay in his bunk, the questions returned. Who was this man?
What was happening back home? The more he tried to ignore it, the more persistent the thoughts became. Each letter from home became a double-edged sword – bringing him closer to his loved ones, yet deepening the mystery.
Monthly Calls Home
Jamie’s monthly calls home were his lifeline, giving him brief moments of normalcy amid the chaos of war. During one call, he asked his wife about a dog in the drawing, but her nervous response left him suspicious.
Stacy claimed it was just a stray dog their daughter liked, but Jamie wasn’t convinced. He wanted to believe her, but something in her voice made him uneasy. Why hadn’t she mentioned the dog before?
A Hasty Retreat
Once Stacy regained consciousness, she insisted on going home immediately. Jamie helped her to the car, but the tension was palpable. The ride back was filled with silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts.
Jamie wanted to demand answers, but he knew it wasn’t the right time. Stacy looked pale and fragile, and Jamie’s anger was slowly giving way to concern. What had happened to his wife in his absence?
A Silent Ride
The car ride home was unbearably quiet. Jamie kept glancing at Stacy, searching for any sign that she was ready to talk, but she kept her eyes closed, leaning against the window.
Ben drove, his expression unreadable. Jamie’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions – anger, fear, confusion, but most of all, a deep sense of betrayal. How had things gotten so out of control?
Back Home Again
When they finally arrived home, Stacy insisted on going straight to bed. Jamie helped her upstairs, noticing how weak she seemed. Lauren followed close behind, her eyes full of worry. Jamie tried to keep calm, but his mind was racing.
He needed answers, but he couldn’t push Stacy in her current state. As he watched her sleep, Jamie felt a mixture of love and frustration. What had happened to the life they once had?
Lingering Doubts
With Stacy asleep, Jamie found himself alone in the living room, trying to make sense of everything. The bald man, the strange drawing, Stacy’s collapse – it all felt like pieces of a puzzle that just wouldn’t fit together.
Jamie’s thoughts were interrupted when Lauren appeared at the door. She hesitated, then walked over to Jamie, curling up beside him. “Daddy, are you mad?” she asked quietly. Jamie hugged her tightly, trying to reassure her despite his own uncertainty.
A Troubled Night
That night, Jamie barely slept. He kept replaying the day’s events in his mind, trying to find some logical explanation. The weight of his doubts pressed down on him, making it impossible to relax.
Stacy’s strange behavior, the presence of the bald man, even Ben’s odd demeanor – it all pointed to something he couldn’t ignore. By morning, Jamie knew he couldn’t put off the confrontation any longer. He had to know the truth, no matter how painful it might be.
The Morning After
The next morning, Jamie awoke with a heavy heart. He knew he had to talk to Stacy, but he dreaded the conversation. As he made breakfast, Lauren sat at the table, quietly eating her cereal. Jamie watched her, wondering how much she knew, and whether she was keeping secrets too.
When Stacy finally came downstairs, she looked exhausted but determined. She sat down across from Jamie, took a deep breath, and said, “We need to talk