I wondered how many conversations they had already had without me.
Eventually, I placed a sheet of paper on the coffee table.
“I think we need to agree on a few things,” I said.
Sean looked at the paper.
“Of course.”
“First, no one gets pressured into anything. Second, we tell each other where we’re staying and how to contact one another. Third, if anyone changes their mind, the arrangement ends immediately.”
Alex nodded.
“That sounds reasonable.”
“Fourth,” I continued, “we don’t lie to each other about anything that could affect our marriages.”
The room became quiet.
I looked directly at Sean.
“That includes conversations we’ve already had.”
His smile faded slightly.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means exactly what I said.”
Nancy suddenly became very interested in her glass.
I noticed.
I noticed everything.
We spent another twenty minutes discussing practical details. Eventually, we agreed that the exchange would begin Friday evening and end the following Friday.
