Theft.
That's the one word meaning an emotional affair.
Theft.
Someone's stolen your wife's emotions which are rightfully yours through marriage.
For the last month or two, Penny had been different.
There was a sort of pent up excitement about her, an edginess, that made Tom suspect that things weren't all they should be.
This particular evening, she'd told him quite categorically that she was going round to see Susan.
On an impulse, he grabbed the phone and called Susan.
"Sorry to bother you, love, but may I speak to Pen?" There was a short pause.
"Pen? She isn't here, Tom.
I haven't seen her.
" "Oh, I'm sorry.
I must have made a mistake.
Sorry.
" He rang off.
A whole range of emotions ran through him.
Guilt, because he felt as though he were snooping on her, which of course he was.
But she'd told him an outright lie, so anger took the place of guilt.
Then it slowly crossed his mind that he was to blame.
He so desperately wanted all this to be a big mistake.
Perhaps he really had mistaken the name of the person she said she was going to see.
How could he have let her down? The sex hadn't been too brilliant lately, but only because Pen didn't seem to show much interest.
Had this crossed the line from an emotional affair to a rip-roaring love-in? He sat down, his feelings kicking each other about like a football.
It's true, for some months they hadn't communicated very well.
He was forced to admit that there were times when he'd shrugged off Pen's questions about doing things around the house or where they should go on holiday that year.
"We'll chat later," was his usual response.
His mind was in such a turmoil, that he fell asleep.
The next thing he knew, it was one o'clock in the morning.
No sign of Pen.
Perhaps she was upstairs.
She was.
Just climbing into bed as he entered the bedroom.
"Oh Tom.
Saw you were asleep and didn't want to disturb you.
" He'd made up all sorts of fine opening lines, but when the time came, all he could say was; "Pen, where were you tonight?" "With Susan.
I told you...
" "No, you weren't.
I phoned her.
She hadn't seen you at all.
" "Are you checking up on me now?" She started to show anger.
"Should I be?" "No, of course not.
" "Well, I don't know who's cologne you're wearing, but it sure as hell isn't mine.
" Quite suddenly, all the bravado left her and she sat on the edge of the bed like a little girl.
"Why, Pen? How far's it gone? Do you love the guy?" The answer came in floods of tears.
Tom stood there and let the storm abate.
"How long have you been seeing this man?" "Tonight was the second time, I promise.
But Tom, you've been virtually taking no notice of me these days.
This guy...
, well, he was in the right place at the right time.
" "Okay.
The first thing you do, and do it now, is to phone him and break off the affair completely.
Whether it was emotional infidelity or sexual infidelity, I don't want to know.
I just want him out of our lives.
" She took the phone and spoke perfectly clearly so that Tom could hear.
Her remarks were unequivocal.
Tom went over to the bed and gently took her hand.
"I do think you have a point about my being distant.
For God's sake, let's mend this marriage.
" They talked far into the night.