With so many wins under my belt, I woke up feeling like doing something new. For once, life felt light. Then the thought hit me—I hadn't been to the beach in a long time. I could already picture it: clean blue water, warm sand, sipping on a cold coconut while the world slowed down. That alone would've topped my day off.
My thoughts were cut short by a call from my dad.
"Can you come home?" he asked. "Your mom and I need to talk to you."
Something about his tone made my stomach drop. It sounded serious—too serious. My first thought was that someone had died.
When I pulled into the driveway, my chest tightened. Two unfamiliar vehicles were parked there.
Yeah… somebody definitely died, I thought.
I got out of the car and walked inside. My dad met me at the door.
"Come on, son," he said. "We've been waiting. Follow me."
As I entered the living room, my dad sat beside a woman I'd never seen before. My mom sat next to a man I didn't recognize either. The air felt heavy.
My mom broke the silence.
"Son, you're old enough to know the truth now. Your dad and I… we've both been dating other people for some time. We were waiting for the right moment to introduce you."
My head started spinning.
She continued, "We haven't been happy in our marriage for a long time."
My dad jumped in. "We're not getting a divorce. We're just giving each other space to find ourselves."
I laughed—one of those laughs that comes from disbelief.
"Find yourselves?" I said. "Looks like you both already did."
"Stop being dramatic," he snapped. "You're old enough to understand life isn't some fairytale movie."
My mom sighed. "Nothing is going to change in your life. We just didn't want to keep lying to you. This has been going on for years, and I'm tired of hiding it."
The two strangers just sat there the whole time, smiling like this was normal. Weird as hell.
I looked at my parents. My mom looked good. My dad looked happy. So what was I supposed to do? Yell? Cry? Fight?
Instead, I grabbed a cup of water, took a breath, and said, "Alright. You all enjoy your day. I'm going for a drive."
I left.
No destination. Just driving.
Without even realizing it, I ended up at my friend's house. He was more like a brother to me—always honest, always solid, never judgmental. I sat in my car for ten minutes before walking up and ringing the doorbell three times.
"Hold on, I'm coming," he yelled.
He opened the door and smiled. "Bro! Haven't seen you in a minute. Come in. What's new?"
I laughed bitterly. "A lot. I'm sleeping with my boss's wife… and my parents just introduced me to the people they've been sleeping with."
He blinked. Then said, "Damn. Y'all sound like a bunch of rednecks."
I couldn't help it—I laughed. That was his gift. He always knew how to break the tension.
Then he got serious. "Before we talk, let's pray. Only God can give you the guidance you need right now."
We prayed. Afterward, he looked me straight in the eyes.
"First thing—you need to end it with that married woman. God doesn't play about that."
He paused.
"And your parents? That situation is dangerous. Somebody's going to catch real feelings, and when that happens… things get ugly. Your boss will find out about you, and when he does, he might kill you."
I nodded. "Yeah… I've thought about that. But she got me the general manager position."
He shook his head. "Oh really? Well, that's what they'll write on your gravestone. You've been my brother for years, and I'm not losing you like that."
Right then, my phone rang.
It was her.
"I need to see you immediately," she said.
"Where?" I asked.
"Come to the house. Park by the back gate. I'll leave the door open."
"I'll be there in an hour."
She hung up.
My friend looked at me and said, "You're dancing with the devil, bro. And you will get burned. But I'll pray for you—and your family."
I got in my car and headed to her house.
As soon as I arrived, my heart nearly stopped.
My boss's truck was parked right out front.
"What the hell…?" I muttered.
I called her.
"The door's open," she said calmly. "I see your car. Come inside."
Then she hung up.
And I just sat there, staring at the house.
What the hell is going on…