A wife for my brother

– Come on Deanna! –

Deanna was more scared than excited that day. The Mother’s Day Festival at the school, again exposing herself to those people. But this time it was different, she felt different. It wasn’t a dance or a party and she wasn’t going as a chaperone. She was part of the family.

Of course there was no shortage of sly looks and whispers. The mothers present all belonged to the same social circle, were all from well-to-do families and shared the same gossip network.

– Naomi, this is enormous… –

– The school? Yes, it’s very big… Stay with me so you don’t get lost.

But soon she found herself alone in one of the courtyards where they had set up a sort of “picnic” for the mothers and children, Naomi was talking to that same boy from the ball. Deanna smiled thinking about Daniel and Ethan’s reactions if they found out.

– Is that Crusher’s wife, Daniel’s wife? –

-Yes, didn’t you know her? –

– No, this is the first time I’ve seen her. What is she doing here? –

-I suppose she’s fulfilling her role as a devoted wife and mother?

The whispers followed one after the other, but none of them dared to engage her in conversation. Alice Reed would be arriving any minute with her daughter and they all knew what would happen.

As Deanna settled on a bench, a woman approached her.

– Are you Daniel’s wife? – she asked staring at her.

– Yes…

– How do you do? I’m Hedy Hudson – She extended her hand and she took it.

– Nice to meet you, I’m Deanna…

– Deanna Crusher –

– Yes, I’m sorry, I’m just not used to it… –

– Don’t worry, you will. It was the same for me, do you mind if I sit down?

– Please, I could use the company –

– We should support each other… second wives, I mean –

Hedy also looked a little younger than average.

-They’ll never make it easy for us, you must know that by now.

– Yes, I know… Why do you think that is? –

– Well… To begin with, we’re younger than they are… Then, we represent danger… But they’ll never forgive you –

– Because I took the most eligible bachelor… Yes, I heard that already –

– Of course! Daniel was everyone’s favorite here. They wanted him for their sisters or their nieces, but you beat them to the punch –

Deanna was amused at how it was that a man like Daniel became a coveted object and not a person to these people. They saw his position, his job, his assets, but nothing more. As if he were a chess piece on a big chessboard.

Naomi approached in agitation.

– Deanna I was looking for you! The musical presentation is about to begin. –

– Yes, let’s go…

Hedy also stood up and they walked together to the music room. Some of the children formed a choir and sang some tunes to entertain their mothers. Naomi looked so happy, it was the first time in 6 years that she was able to attend like the rest. She held Deanna’s hand tightly.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

-I wasn’t in the choir this time, but next year I’ll be there,” she said.

– I’m sure you’ll do great –

– Sure, because you’ll teach me, won’t you? –

– Anything you want, sweetheart –

When the presentation was over the next activity was in the art room, a girl approached Naomi and asked her to join her. She more or less explained to Deanna where the room was and told her she would meet her there.

The girl was Samantha Reed.

Before she could get to the art room, Alice intercepted her in a hallway.

-You dared to come, my dear,” she said.

Deanna’s stomach lurched. Just that day was not the best day to confront her.

– Mrs. Reed…” She tried to walk past her, but Alice stopped her.

– Where are you going? You and I have a little talk pending –

– I don’t think so…

– Well, I do! –

– Mrs. …. –

– You think I don’t know what you’re doing with my husband at the Ambassador? You little slut… Isn’t Daniel enough for you? –

– I’m not doing anything with your husband… If anything, you should be asking him what he’s going to do there… –

– He’s going up your skirt! You wiggled your hips a bit and drove him crazy… No wonder from an opportunist like you! And you dare to come here, to show off in front of everyone as if you were the “mother” of the children. Shameless! –

Alice’s screams were beginning to be heard inside the room.

-I don’t have to explain anything to you, Mrs. Reed. You don’t need to make a fuss in the school either…

– You’re not going to tell me what to do, you little bitch! –

– Stop calling me that! –

– Why? Does it offend you? Ha! That’s what you are! You may fool Daniel with your deadbeat act, but you don’t fool me! I know sluts like you! –

– You must have a lot of references from your husband’s friends, I imagine – Deanna was trying to keep herself whole.

Soon the screams attracted the other mothers and children who opened the door to find out what was going on.

– I don’t know what Crusher was thinking when he married a woman like you! It’s not enough to take her money, now you want to be a “star” too! Does he know you’re screwing around with my husband behind the theater backdrops?! –

– What are you saying?! –

– Don’t play the naive with me! You used Leonard to get into the theater and now you want to secure the “leading role” by sleeping with him! –

Deanna couldn’t believe her ears, she couldn’t believe she was being singled out like that again. Her face was burning with embarrassment, it was supposed to be a nice day with Naomi, something to remember.

– Daniel must not even know what kind of slut you are! Emily was such a lady! She must be watching her husband lose his dignity over some slut! –

– My mom would have really liked Deanna! – Naomi shouted at the top of her lungs until she turned red.

Alice turned to look at her and gave her a sarcastic smile.

-Naomi…

– Why are you yelling at Deanna like that? –

– Because she deserves it, dear… Your mom wouldn’t have liked it if your dad had messed with someone like her…

– What do you know! –

– Naomi, come… – Deanna was trying to get her out of the way.

– What do I know?! Enough to know that, if your mother hadn’t died, this “woman” would be taking money from another incredulous! Good thing Emily’s not around to see this! –

Naomi froze in her tracks at the sound of her talking about her mom. Deanna exploded.

– Hey! What do you think you’re doing! Why are you messing with the children’s mother?! –

– You…! –

– You shut your mouth! You ruined Mother’s Day for everyone here! And you’re picking on Naomi’s mother?! What’s wrong with you?! Picking on me is one thing, I can defend myself, but don’t you dare mess with Naomi! –

– You damn bitch! –

– You can call me whatever you want, I don’t care! You’re nothing but a sad and bitter woman who seeks to solve her problems like a capricious child! You don’t even have respect for your own daughter who has to watch you make a fool of yourself! –

Deanna had lost her patience. She could take Alice’s onslaughts and try to get out of them with some dignity intact, but her naming Emily in front of the girl exceeded everything. She stepped closer to her, invading her personal space, pointing at her.

-The next time you think of messing with MY children they will have to take you out of the place with paramedics… Behave like the grown woman you are and fix the “little problems” with your husband at home… When you want to finish this conversation we will do it alone, without public and without scandal –

Hedy watched her from the door with a half smile on her face, she had the attitude to defend herself against these harpies. She hoped she had enough strength to withstand the shock wave that would come next.