“”

   “It’s your grandmother’s vase. I broke it.”

   “”

   “It was an accident. I am so sorry.”

   “”

   “Of course, I know how much it meant to you.”

   “”

   “Yes, your Nana was a wonderful woman.”

   “”

   “I do remember. It was a difficult time. You and your sister, Julie, didn’t talk for a year because Nana left the vase to you in her will.”

   “”

   “I agree. Julie never really got over it. She is a very jealous and possessive person.”

   “”

   “I don’t know. It really shattered. I put the pieces in the box over there.”

   “”

   “How did it break? Well, that’s really quite a story. There’s something else I need to tell you, honey.”

   “”

   “Please stop. You can Superglue it back together later. Just listen to me. Julie and I are having an affair.”

   “”

   “No, I wish I was kidding. It’s all been a big mistake – the biggest mistake of my life. Believe me, if I could undo this mess I would, but I can’t. It’s too late.”

   “”

   “For about six months. It started right after you got that promotion at work. Julie came over to congratulate you but you weren’t here and one thing led to another. I don’t think you really want to hear the details.”

   “”

   “I did think it a bit odd that she would drop in at a time when you would obviously be at the office. She knows you’ve been putting in long hours.”

   “”

   “Yes, it’s over. Well, I thought it was over. A few weeks ago I told her I couldn’t do this anymore. That it was wrong. I assumed that was the end of it. But Julie called me today, hysterical. She said she needed to see me. Just to talk, she said. The next thing I know we’re right back at it. In the heat of the moment, we shoved everything off the dining room table and, unfortunately, your Nana’s vase was one of those things.”

   “”

   “No, I don’t think Julie knocked the vase over on purpose.”

   “”

   “No, I really don’t.”

   “”

   “Because she was blindfolded and handcuffed at the time. It’s just this thing we like to do.”

   “”

   “Well, I suppose it is possible that she could have seen it out of the corner of her eye. The blindfold is just this thin velvet scarf. Do you really think this was all about the vase? Because that would mean Julie was just using me to get even with you...”

§

   “Hi, honey. Sorry I’m late. I had to stop at the dry-cleaners. You can’t believe the traffic this evening.”

   “Good, you’re home. I’m afraid I have some terrible news.”