Martha couldn’t believe it.  Her whole world had been turned upside down in the last twenty four hours.  The mysterious white truck, the figure or person standing across the street, the messages, and now Jasper finding out about Richard.  She didn’t know how to react. She wanted to run away but she wanted to work things out and hope for the best. She wanted to disappear, but she needed to stay for her kids.  She wanted everything to go away and be the way it was before the miscarriage. She had just realized that she made a mistake and she had broken up with Richard to try and fix it, but she forgot to erase him from her life, except being the principle of the school.  She had had no time to process any of this. She was in a hospital, this was not the time or place to discuss this.

“Jasper, let me explain.”  Her nerves made her body shake like she was freezing.  She grabbed a blanket hoping it would help. She was starting to feel light headed, but she forced herself back into focus.  This was going to be the time and place whether she liked it or not. Everything was going to spill.

“Please do.  Who is this random number texting you asking where your lover is? Who is your lover?  Why is this person ‘seeing you?’ Why are you sending naked pictures to someone named Bonnie?”  Jasper pointed the phone at Martha, showing her the message thread between her and Bonnie.

Martha began explaining.  After the miscarriage, she became a new person.  She didn’t know who she became, but at the time it felt like the right person to be.  She became lost and she felt alone even in a crowded room. She felt that nobody understood her, but she convinced herself that she wasn’t crazy. She didn’t want therapy at the time, but she offered it now to Jasper. At this moment she would do anything to save her marriage and save herself. Richard just seemed to be there when Jasper wasn’t.  Jasper was working too much that it made Martha feel even more alone.  Plus, she had concerns about Kelly which made her mind spin out of control even more.

“I still love you, Jasper. I made huge mistake.  I already told Richard it was over earlier today.  I realized what I’ve done and I want to fix it, if you are willing to work on it with me.  I will go through therapy. We can try to get pregnant again. I will switch schools. I will do anything to keep you in my life.  I know sorry doesn’t mean anything to you right now, but I truly am sorry.” Martha looked at Jasper for any kind of emotion. Any reaction from him would make her feel real again.  Her head was pounding.  She could definetely feel the stitches now. 

Jasper wouldn’t say anything.  He didn’t want to look at Martha either.  He felt numb inside. He started blaming himself for Martha’s mistake.  He didn't know what to do. He didn’t know how to react. He didn’t believe it at first, but why would she lie about something so heartbreaking to him?  That’s it. That’s what it was. He was heartbroken. Martha was the love of his life and she had jeopardize their love for someone else. Was there a chance for forgiveness?  Only time would tell.

“Who is the random number that asked where your lover was?”  Jasper finally broke the silent.

“I honestly don’t know.  They messaged me while I was at Richard’s house.  Then the white truck appeared and that figure showed up.  I don’t know what is going on with that. Should I call the police?”  Martha didn't want to tell Jasper that she thought someone was stalking her, it would make it worse.

“You broke up with him?”  Martha felt some hope in his voice.  Maybe with a little time and effort, this could all be forgiven.  

“Yes, earlier today.  I told him I had made a mistake and I wanted to work on our marriage.  He was really understanding.” Why was Martha sticking up for Richard? He was suppose to be the bad person in this situation.  

“I just need to think.  I still love you Martha, but I just need some time to understand what you did and why you did it.  I wouldn’t call the police. Since all of those things were about Richard and you broke up with him, then the strange things should stop.  I just want you to be better Martha, but right now I can’t even look at you. I need to think. I need to go home and be alone.”

Martha’s heart shattered as she watched Jasper open the door to leave.  He told her that he would spend the night with her, but now he was leaving.  The guilt she had felt while she was with Richard had quadrupled within the last ten minutes.  Her life was over. She started panicking. What if she left him? What if she lost her kids due to unstableness?  What if she lost her job and ended up on the streets? What if Jasper left her? What if Jasper left her?

"And just so you know, I have been faithful this entire time."  Jasper left the room and slammed the door behind him.

What had she done? Now she felt worse knowing that she was the only one that did wrong.  Her assumptions got the best of her.  She knew this day would come, but she didn’t think it would come at the worst time.  She was in the hospital, someone was following her, and she was getting inappropriate messages on her phone.  Why wouldn't Jasper want her to call the police?  Wouldn't this situation be considered a threat?  Her head was pounding. It was getting late. She felt like she slept her day away, but she was exhausted again.  She was afraid to sleep because of the nightmares, but she had to be well rested to go home to her kids tomorrow. She would be missing work, but she was sure Jasper would take Teegan and Carter to school.  Richard wouldn’t be there so there wasn’t a fear of confrontation with Jasper.

Martha started to pace the room.  She had been a perfect house wife and turned into an adulterer within the last twenty four hours.  The guilt was tearing her apart. She took out her phone and texted Jasper.

Please consider forgiving me.  I know what I did was wrong. I was going through a hard time and I thought I was alone.  Don’t leave me alone again.

She hoped he would respond, but knew deep down that he wouldn’t.  She knew he needed his time, and she didn’t want to frustrate him more.  

She tried laying down in the thin hospital bed.  Tossing and turning, she couldn’t stop thinking. She didn’t want to lose everything over one mistake.  It was a huge mistake, but she never felt worse in her life. Martha wished she could take it all back. She thought about the baby that she had lost.  If she didn’t lose it, would things still be the same as they were now? Would she still have cheated?  Maybe they'd still be a happily married couple.

Her thoughts were soon taken away with slumber.  She felt her head pounding through her dreamless sleep and woke up groggy.  She squinted her eyes open at the daylight coming through the window. Getting up and shaking her legs awake, Martha tried to glance out the window. With no truck in sight, she stumbled to the bathroom to relieve herself.  Glancing in the mirror she saw no figure either. Maybe the almost nightmare was over.

Martha realized it was Monday and called the school.  Anne answered the phone.

“It’s OK Mrs. Critch.  The boys are here at school on time and Jasper told me about your accident.  I’ve got a sub for you.”  Anne sounded cheerful as always.

“Thank you so much Anne, uh Ms. Flicket. I will let you know as soon as possible when I will be back.  Are you doing OK with Richard, uh Mr. Garbel, being gone? If there is anything I can do for you from home just let me know.  I am not completely incapable of doing things.” Martha was so thankful for Anne. She was the best thing to have around in this situation.  She loved Martha’s boys as if they were her own, and she was so responsible and helpful to Martha.

“Everything is going good so far.  I am a little nervous about Richard being gone.  I don’t do punishments well, but I will try to be as fair as I can be!”  Anne sounded full of energy. Martha couldn’t hear the nerves in her voice at all.  

"Have any of my students asked about me?"  Martha hoped that Anne came up with some sort of story.

"Only Charlie was in here.  I just told him you had the flu, I hope that's OK."  Anne's voice became worried.  She was not the type of person to lie, and she always felt guilty when she did.

They hung up the phone and Martha started gathering her stuff together.  She hoped Jasper would come and get her when she got released today, if she got released today.  She relaxed a little knowing that she wouldn’t have to hide anything anymore.

There was a knock at the door and a nurse came in.

“I heard you were being released today,” she said, walking into the room. “I came to check your vitals one last time.  I will also change your bandage and unhook the IV from you.  I was also told by the doctor that there is no concussion.”

Martha agreed with her and let her proceed with the process.  She was glad there was no concussion and the headaches would soon go away.  She grabbed her phone while the nurse checked on her and noticed there was a message from Jasper sent at 3:30 this morning.  

I can’t sleep.  I will pick you up tomorrow morning and we will make an appointment with a therapist.  I don’t forgive you yet, but I will work with you on this situation.

Relief washed over Martha.  She couldn’t believe that Jasper still wanted to be with her.  Another knock at the door, and Jasper walked in freshly showered and with clean clothes.  The bags under his eyes showed Martha that he was in fact up all night. Guilt came over her again, but she walked over to him and hesitated a little before he held her into a strong embrace.

“Let’s go home,” he said.  He didn’t smile. Martha knew it was going to take time for them to heal together.

They drove home in silence.  Martha wasn't sure how Jasper was feeling and didn't want to start any arguments or make things seem awkward.  She thought about asking about it night, but decided against it. 

Jasper's mind was stressed.  He felt guilty for leaving Martha alone at the hospital, but he felt like she deserved it.  He thought about apologizing, but then it would make it seem OK that she cheated on him. 

They pulled up to the apartment.  It was empty because the boys were still at school.  

"Is it OK if I just drop you off?  I will go and pick up your dry cleaning."  Jasper didn't even look at Martha when he spoke.

"Thank you Jasper," was all Martha could say.

Martha saw the mail truck go by and headed over to get the mail as Jasper pulled back out of the parking lot.  

There was the usual stuff; credit card offers, electric bill, magazines.  There was also a manilla envelope. Martha opened it up while she was still standing at the mailbox and her jaw dropped.  Inside were pictures of her and Richard, naked together at his apartment the other night.  Martha brings her hand up to her mouth to cover her frustration and to try and prevent the tears from streaming down her face.

There was a note written on the back of every picture…

DO YOU BELIEVE ME NOW?