One evening, I said yes to watching my best friend’s son, and that night turned my whole world upside down. What I found out made me doubt everything around me. How do I handle the huge shocks that broke my trust in the folks closest to me?
My best friend, Lisa, asked me to watch her 8-year-old boy, Jack. I was excited because my husband, Mike, and I had been chatting about starting our own family.
Lisa was only 24, but she’d had Jack at 16. She moved to a new state back then to get away from school bullies.
Lisa and Jack had been through a ton, and I looked up to her toughness and how she put everything into raising him. But Mike never liked Lisa. He couldn’t figure out why I’d babysit Jack for free.
“I don’t see the problem,” I told Mike while packing my overnight bag. I was getting ready to head to Lisa’s to stay with Jack. She had a work trip, and her job had booked a cabin out of town.
She almost skipped it since she had no one to watch Jack, but I talked her into going and taking a break while I looked after him.
“Why watch someone else’s kid for nothing?” Mike grumbled, sounding annoyed.
“Jack’s not just any kid, and Lisa’s my good friend. I want to help her out,” I said, trying to stay calm.
“Why not just hire a sitter?” Mike kept on, getting more upset.
“Not everyone has money for that, and it’s some stranger staying overnight with your kid,” I explained.
“You don’t even know how to handle kids—you’re an only child,” Mike pointed out, his words sharp.
“First, Jack’s 8, not a baby. Second, it’s good practice. You said we’re thinking about kids ourselves,” I shot back, feeling a little defensive.
“Yeah, but—” Mike started.
“But what?” I interrupted, walking over and wrapping my arms around his neck. “It’s just one night, and I don’t get why you’re acting like this. By the way, you and Jack are a lot alike. Or can you really not handle one night without me?” I teased, trying to lighten things up.
Mike finally smiled. “I married you to keep you by my side forever. And now you’re leaving me for another guy?” he joked back.
“The guy’s eight, and you’re a big boy who can sleep one night without me,” I said, laughing.
“Fine, go ahead,” Mike sighed, giving in at last.
I kissed him on the lips. “I’d have gone anyway, but thanks for your okay, sir,” I joked. Mike rolled his eyes, then kissed me back.
Twenty minutes later, I pulled up at Lisa’s place. Jack ran out to greet me. He jumped into my arms the second I stepped out of the car.
“Hey, little guy, ready for some fun?” I asked, picking him up.
“You bet!” Jack said, his eyes full of excitement. “We’re staying up all night!” he yelled.
“I don’t think so,” Lisa said, coming out with a smile.
“Mom,” Jack groaned, rolling his eyes.
“You know it,” I said, giving him a quick wink. “Jack’s bedtime is nine.” He grinned big, still full of energy.
I grabbed my bag from the car, and we all went inside. The house felt cozy and nice, with that usual smell of Lisa’s home cooking.
“You have no idea how thankful I am, Sarah,” Lisa said, hugging me.
“No big deal. When was the last time you got a real break?” I asked, putting my bag down.
“Don’t even ask, or I’ll lose it,” Lisa joked, trying to look serious but smiling anyway.
“I’m glad to do it. Jack’s such a good kid,” I told her.
“I’ll miss him no matter what,” she said with a laugh, knowing she would.
“By the way, how did Mike take you babysitting Jack?” Lisa asked, looking curious.
“Weirdly, he tried to talk me out of it right up to the end. No idea what was wrong with him,” I said, shaking my head.
“Men,” Lisa shrugged, like she got it completely.
“Go on already. We’ll take care of everything,” I said, giving her a gentle push toward the door.
“Stop, or I’ll think you’re trying to steal my kid. You can keep him a week—I’d start missing him too much,” she teased, laughing.
“Lisa,” I said, rolling my eyes at her silliness.
“Okay, okay. I’m going,” she said, finally picking up her coat.
Lisa kissed Jack goodbye and thanked me again. As I shut the door behind her and turned around, I saw Jack standing there with a huge smile.
“Okay, adventure buddy. Ready for fun?” I asked, feeling just as excited.
“Yeah!” Jack shouted, his energy lighting up the room.
“Great, what do we do first?” I asked, clapping my hands.
“Can we play my new game?” Jack asked, his eyes wide and hopeful.
“Sure thing! Show me where it is,” I said.
Jack took my hand and pulled me to the living room. He grabbed a colorful board game from the shelf. We spent the next hour laughing and playing, the house full of our happy noises.
In the evening, after tons of games, some food, and Jack’s non-stop energy, I sat on the couch in front of the TV, more tired than I’d ever been.
I couldn’t imagine how Lisa kept up with this every day. Jack was fast asleep next to me, even though he’d promised to stay up for the movie and more.
His little body was finally calm, breathing soft and steady. I looked at his peaceful face and smiled, feeling warm inside for him.
I got up carefully from the couch, not wanting to wake him, and picked Jack up to carry him to his room. He felt heavier than I thought, but I made it upstairs.
When I put Jack in his bed, his shirt shifted a little, and I spotted a birthmark that looked just like Mike’s. I stared at it, my heart starting to race.
I figured it was just a weird coincidence, but the more I looked at Jack, the more he reminded me of Mike. The shape of his nose, the line of his chin—it all clicked in a scary way.
I went back downstairs, my thoughts spinning. I grabbed the spoon Jack had used for ice cream earlier, stuck it in a bag, and put it in my purse.
I hoped I was just overthinking, but it would explain Mike’s strange attitude and Lisa’s question about it. I couldn’t shake the idea that something was off.
I didn’t sleep a wink that night, my mind going over everything from the evening and what I’d noticed. When Lisa got back the next morning, I left fast, afraid I couldn’t stay cool.
At home, Mike wasn’t there; I remembered he was out with friends that day. I went to the bathroom and picked up some of his hair from the floor, my hands shaking. I didn’t want to wait, so I headed straight to the clinic.
I gave them the spoon with Jack’s DNA and Mike’s hair and asked for a paternity test. The clinic said it’d take a week for results. I let out a breath but had to wait.
That whole week, I was on edge, waiting for the DNA results. Mike didn’t get why I was so jumpy, and I didn’t tell him because if I was wrong, he’d think I was nuts.
I dodged his questions with made-up reasons for being nervous. Every time my phone went off, my heart pounded, thinking it was the clinic.
Finally, one evening, while checking my email, I saw a message from the clinic. My hands shook as I opened it. I took a big breath and clicked.
Below all the numbers I didn’t get, there it was: “99.9% chance of paternity.” My stomach dropped, and my head felt dizzy.
How could this be? A rush of feelings hit me—mad, hurt, mixed up. I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
I decided not to hold off and to handle it right away. So, I texted Lisa to come over. I needed answers, and I needed them fast.
As I waited for Lisa, I tried to get ready for the talk that was coming.
When Lisa showed up, I sat her and Mike on the couch and put the laptop in front of them. They looked at me, puzzled.
“What’s going on?” Lisa asked, her forehead wrinkling.
“A paternity test,” I said, keeping my voice even. “For Jack and Mike.”
“WHAT?!” Mike yelled, jumping to his feet. “How did you…?”
“Doesn’t matter how,” I said, stopping him. “What matters is you’re Jack’s dad, and I want to know how this happened and why you kept it from me.”
“It was eight years ago,” Lisa said softly.
“Don’t,” Mike warned, his voice low and mean.
“So you knew? You knew from the start of our friendship that my husband is your kid’s dad?” I asked Lisa, my voice wobbling.
She nodded quietly, tears in her eyes.
“Why keep quiet?” I asked, trying to stay steady.
“Because it didn’t change anything. You and Mike are happy, and Jack and I are okay,” Lisa said, her voice shaky.
“Didn’t change anything? You two lied to me! How long have you known?” I turned to Mike.
“Why do you have to know?” Mike said, looking away.
“Tell me!” I shouted, my anger bubbling up.
“Since the first time I saw you with Lisa and Jack,” Mike whispered.
“Oh my God,” I said, feeling like the floor gave way.
“Sarah, it was high school. We were just kids, and Mike didn’t even know about Jack until we became friends,” Lisa said, trying to explain.
“Why not tell me everything from the beginning?” I asked, tears starting to burn my eyes.
“I was scared you’d leave me,” Mike said, full of regret.
“You’re more likely to lose me now because of the secrets, not because you have a son,” I said, my voice cracking.
“I’m sorry. We thought it was best for everybody,” Lisa said, tears running down her face.
“I can’t believe I didn’t see it all this time,” I said, shaking my head in shock.
“Please forgive us,” Mike begged, his eyes begging too.
“What now?” I asked, my mind racing.
“In what way?” Mike asked, looking confused.
“Jack deserves to know his dad,” I said, firm.
“No, wait, I—” Mike started, but I cut him off.
“You haven’t been in his life for eight years. It’s time you stepped up as his dad now,” I said, feeling a strange calm.
“Do you want me to go?” Mike asked, sounding scared.
“What? No. You’re still my husband, and I hope we stay that way after I cool off. But Jack deserves a dad. You have no idea how great he is; Lisa did an amazing job raising him,” I said, feeling a bit sad.
“So maybe we should check with Lisa if she’s okay with it?” Mike said, glancing at her.
“Lisa?” I looked at her with hope.
“I’m fine with it, but we have to take it slow,” she said, her voice gentle.
“Yeah, of course,” I agreed, nodding. “I’m still really mad at both of you, but we’ll work through it.”
Lisa and Mike looked at me with sad faces, full of regret. I thought about how fast life can change and how we had to keep going together, one step at a time. We had a tough road ahead, but we’d face it as a team.
