Seven Years
The overwhelming and intense smell did not fool Kenny Johnson. It was clear to him what it meant. It was the culmination of his worst fears. He felt a powerful sense of regret as he glanced at the man who had betrayed him.
During the short journey home, he felt his heart in his throat. The woman had lied to him for seven years. How could he face her?
Doing It For Her
He planned to surprise his wife with it. Their neighbor's car was very similar to the one she wanted, so he would give it to her.
On that day, something special was supposed to take place. The woman he loved most was why he did everything that morning. He had no way of knowing that she had done something so cruel and inconsiderate.
What Lay Ahead
Kenny walked through his office with a wide grin on his face. As he walked past them, his colleagues admired him. He was not stopping, and he was looking forward to what lay ahead.
Kenny was eager to see his wife's face when he gave her the surprise he had for her that afternoon.
Eleventh Anniversary
Together, he and his neighbor, Tom, had figured out everything the night before. Kenny would pick up the vehicle at 2 p.m. sharp.
Kenny couldn't take his eyes off the tiny clock on his desk the entire morning. His wife was the one who motivated him to do this. The eleventh-anniversary celebration was perfect.
Date Night
Time flew by before he realized it. As he stepped out of work earlier, he waved to his colleagues. It had been explained to them what he planned to do that evening. The first thing he would do was fetch the car he bought from his neighbor.
When he got home, he would surprise his wife with it and then tell her to get in the car and go to the theater together.
The Perfect Plan
Getting into his Ford, Kenny mumbled, "It's the perfect plan.". There seemed to be no end to the journey home. His excitement just couldn't be contained. His anticipation grew as he waited for her to walk out the door.
His neighbor was waiting in the driveway when he arrived at his house. He smiled and gave his neighbor a wave.
The Smell
As he exited his car, he told the man he called his friend, "Tom, good to see you.". Tom handed over the keys after discussing the last few details.
Kenny unlocked the door with a smile on his face. As he opened the door, the smell of betrayal hit him like a ton of bricks.
Meeting His Wife
It was the happiest day of Kenny Johnson's life when he met his wife, Grace. It was love at first sight for Kenny when they met at a bar in downtown Minneapolis through mutual friends.
She wasn't too keen on dating the slightly older man at first. Kenny had been working for a few years while she had just finished her degree. He eventually persuaded her to give him her phone number.
A Beautiful Date
The first date they went on was amazing. She was impressed by Kenny's choice of restaurant, which was among the best in town. They had an excellent time as they drank wine and shared childhood stories.
At that moment, Kenny realized he wanted to marry Grace one day, even though he already knew she was perfect for him.
Marriage
They were a year into their relationship before they realized it. Kenny's life with Grace was everything he had dreamed of. In such a comfortable and warm space, there was no one he would rather be with than her.
Their relationship grew stronger as the years passed, and they eventually married and moved to the suburbs.
They Fit In
They fit right into their neighborhood. They soon became a part of a supportive community with some of the most amazing neighbors, but one man in particular stood out.
Tom McCree was loved by everyone in the neighborhood. He was a hardworking plumber, and everyone on his street relied on him whenever there was a plumbing issue. Kenny thought of him as a great friend.
Great Friends
Over the years, Kenny, Grace, Tom, and his wife, Marli, became great friends. They often threw dinner parties at each other’s homes or enjoyed barbecues in their backyards.
Kenny considered Tom a close friend, and he was glad that Grace got along with Marli. They got on so well that Grace would often go over to the McCree household while Kenny was at work. He never thought anything of it, until one fateful day.
A Special Morning
That day started well for Kenny. That morning, he awoke earlier than usual and prepared a pot of coffee for himself and Grace. Usually, he would leave her to sleep in while he got himself a coffee on the way to work.
But this was a special day. It had been eleven years since Kenny and Grace had tied the knot, and he wanted to go all out for their anniversary.
Perfect As Ever
That morning, they sat on their bed and enjoyed the coffee he had made. Grace looked beautiful as ever as she sat before him in her pajamas.
Her hair was wild with sleep and her eyes were large and puffy. There was no trace of makeup on her pale skin. In Kenny’s eyes, it was perfect. He had no idea that this would be his last morning in her company.
A Busy Morning
Before he knew it, it was time to leave for work. He had a busy day of planning ahead. He had arranged a nice surprise for his wife. She had mentioned wanting a car just like Tom’s, and he was going to give her what she wanted.
That day was supposed to be special. Everything he did that morning, he did for the woman had loved for over a decade. He had no idea that she had planned to visit Tom as soon as he left.
A Man On A Mission
Kenny had a wide grin on his face as he walked through his office. His colleagues admired him as he walked past. He was a man on a mission, and he couldn’t wait for what was to come.
Kenny had a little surprise for his wife that afternoon, and he couldn’t wait to see her face when he gave it to her. Being a businessman, he had bought her many expensive gifts before, but none were ever quite this expensive.
In Love
He had spoken to Tom the night before, and together, they figured it all out. Kenny was to clock off early and fetch the vehicle at 2 p.m. sharp. Grace had no idea that he would be coming home early.
For that entire morning, Kenny struggled to divert his gaze from the tiny clock on his desk. He was doing this for Grace. He knew that if she could, she would do the same for him. There was no doubt in his mind that she loved him as much as he loved her.
It Was Time
Before he knew it, 01:30 p.m. had rolled around. He greeted his colleagues as he stepped out of work. They all knew about his plans for the evening. First, he was going to fetch the car he had bought from his neighbor.
Then, he was going to surprise his wife with it when he got home, and then, he would tell her to get into the car, and they would go to her favorite place: the theater.
Heading Home
“It’s the perfect plan,” Kenny mumbled to himself as he got into his Ford. The drive home seemed to last a lifetime. He was just so excited. He couldn’t wait to see her face when she stepped out of their front door.
He couldn’t keep it in. When he pitched up at his neighbor’s house, he was glad to see him in the driveway, waiting.
His Friend
He pulled over and quickly stepped out of his vehicle, “Tom, good to see you,” He said, extending his hand to the man he called his friend. They went over the last few things before Tom handed over the keys.
“You give your wife a great, big kiss from me,” Tom said, knowing that Kenny had no way of knowing that he meant it literally.
Grateful
“Thanks, man,” Kenny grinned, he was grateful for his friend’s help. It all happened just in time. Kenny wanted the car, and Tom had to sell it.
Kenny took the keys with a smile on his face and unlocked the door. His mind was clouded by his plans for that evening, he had no idea what he was about to walk into. He proceeded to open the door, and just then, the smell hit him.
Too Familiar
The smell was familiar, too familiar. He glanced into the car, the look of confusion was obvious on his face. Tom was staring at him, a knowing look on his face.
He slowly stepped into the car. It smelled just like his wife. He was beyond confused as he turned to face his neighbor. “I’ve always respected you, Kenny. Which is why I’ve decided to come clean,” He sighed, “Your wife is expecting me at your house in fifteen minutes.”
No Fool
The smell was overwhelming and intense, and Kenny Johnson was no fool. He knew what it meant. His worst fear had come to life. He glanced at the man who had betrayed him in the worst way possible.
His heart was in his throat as he opened his mouth, “How long has this been going on?” He asked in a shaky voice.
Seven Years
“Seven years, I believe,” He said honestly. It had been going on since they had moved to the neighborhood. Kenny’s heart shattered in his chest.
He started the engine and stared at the wheel. Was he supposed to thank the man for telling the truth? How could he face the woman who had been lying to him for seven years?
Everything Changed
He pulled out of the driveway, his mind clouded by confusion and regret. Just a few minutes ago, he was so happy. Everything was going so well, they were going to celebrate their love.
But now, it was all broken. The love of his life had been cheating on him. Within just a minute, he pulled into their driveway. How could he ever face her again?
Passenger Seat
With tears in his eyes, he watched the front door swing open. Grace had a wide grin on her face. With blackout windows, she had no way of knowing who was sitting in the passenger seat.
She rushed out into the driveway, excited to meet her secret lover with a kiss. Kenny’s heart was in pieces as he watched her from inside the car. She looked completely different now. The truth had changed his perspective.
A Shift
She walked up to the driver’s side of the car and grabbed ahold of the door handle. She was about to get the surprise of her life. She yanked the door open, and her expression shifted.
She went from grinning to looking like she had just seen a ghost. She was not expecting to see her husband in her lover’s car. “Hey honey, what are you doing in Tom’s car?” She tried to act casual.
He Knew The Truth
But from the look on Kenny’s face, she knew she was done for. It was obvious from the moisture in his eyes and the shaking of his hands that he knew the truth. Grace was a cheater, and her lover had told him the truth.
Right there, in the driveway, he told Grace the full story. He mentioned his plans for that evening and his meeting with Tom.
Furious
She was beside herself with anger. She couldn’t believe that her lover had told her husband the truth. But as Kenny walked into the house and started packing his bag, the tears began to fall.
Grace was a sobbing mess as she begged her husband not to leave. But it was over for him. This was the one thing he couldn’t forgive.
Hard Lessons
That night, Kenny left his wife. Tom tried to call him a few times, but he refused to answer. He stayed over at his sister’s place and in the morning, he contacted a divorce lawyer. He was done with this life.
He never returned to that neighborhood. He never saw Tom again and he only ever spoke to Garce to settle the divorce. Eventually, he learned to move on. It taught him some hard lessons, but by the end, he was okay.