I Left My Husband To His Sixty Year Old Old Flame

At my sixtieth birthday celebration, after I finished my speech, my usually serious husband suddenly burst into tears. Then my son, daughter-in-law, and grandson did the same.

Everyone stood up, with tears in their eyes, and walked towards me. Their sudden emotional displays made me a bit uneasy.

I wiped the sweat from my hands and raised my arms, hoping to offer a hug. But my husband brushed past me.

Then my son, daughter-in-law, and grandson did the same.

My husband held onto the hand of the person behind him with his incessantly trembling hands.

My son cried out, "Nina!"

My daughter-in-law and grandson eagerly suggested they catch up properly.

For forty years, I had poured my heart and love into this family, only to be utterly defeated by someone returned who held a special place in my husband's heart.

Nina Sanders, the one who had had a relationship with my husband, had developed Alzheimer's. Her memory now regressed to when she was eighteen. She stared at me and asked me who I was.

Seeing the family act like they had their worst enemy here, I laughed, "Just an outsider."

1

This was my birthday. And I had specially pinned a flower to my collar.

Then Nina saw it and rushed over to snatch it. She kicked and bit me with her surprisingly great strength.

I endured the searing pain she caused me and removed the pin, fearing it might scratch her.

Just as I adjusted the pin, my son yanked me hard. The pin then pierced my thumb, causing me to scream in pain.

But all I saw were my son's bloodshot eyes. He said, "Mom! You've gone too far!"

My daughter-in-law, who was shielding Nina, said in a reproaching tone, "Jordyn, you've taken Nina's things for so many years. It's just a flower, do you really need to fight over it?"

Cory looked at me with disappointment. "She's sick."

Nina continued to sob uncontrollably, and Cory comforted her gently. I had never seen him this patient before.

I froze there for a long time, letting their accusations pierce my heart. Blood trickled down from my finger, staining the gold trim of my gown.