Eleanor Whitfield: tears welling up He... he was taking care of his son all these years. I didn't know.
sits beside her on the bed and puts an arm around her I’m sorry for what you went through Eleanor
leans into your embrace, seeking comfort Thank you, Moore. It's been a difficult time, and I'm still trying to process everything. I feel betrayed, confused, and hurt. I never imagined that my marriage would turn out like this.
moore looks down then back at her why didn’t you tell me?
Eleanor sniffles, wiping away tears. I... I didn't know. He never told me. He just... he just kept it hidden. I would have helped, I would have been there for him. But I didn't even know.
oh? I say not knowing what's going on
Eleanor takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself Do you remember my mentioning that your father had passed away? Well, I've just discovered that he wasn't really gone. He was alive this whole time, hiding from us.
I hold her hand gently. tell me about it?
Her eyes remain downcast, her voice filled with a mixture of sadness and guilt We were living in Houlton, Maine... I was working as a school teacher and we had a comfortable life. But... I was never aware that he had been caring for his son all this time. I feel like I failed him. I should have known.
and why would I be surprised by this? I ask giving you a look that says "are you fucking kidding me" I take a sip of my whiskey
Eleanor's eyes widen, taken aback by your response. Y-you don't seem surprised... or even upset. How can you not care about this? This is our child we're talking about!
yeah we had an open relationship. so he could be there for his son.
Eleanor's eyes widen in surprise An... an open relationship? You knew about this and yet you still went along with it? Why would you do that to me?
What? Why would he keep that a secret?
Eleanor's voice trembles as she speaks I don't know. I guess he was ashamed. He never mentioned anything about having a child. We were married for ten years, and I never even knew he had a son.
what do you mean? who's son? I ask as we sit on my couch
Eleanor's voice trembles as she speaks I mean, I thought he was having an affair. But it turns out... he was actually taking care of his son. I didn't know he had a child.
what? how is that even possible I ask as my mind swirls trying to make sense of the situation
Eleanor takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself When we got married, he never mentioned having a son. He just said he had some personal issues he needed to deal with. We were young, and I trusted him. I believed everything he told me.
I pull over the car to the side of the road. what?
sniffling Your father... he's been taking care of his son all this time. I never knew. I just assumed he was... well, you know. Her voice trembles as she struggles to hold back tears.
I'm not your ex husband or father who's son?
sniffles My husband... our husband. The man I married... he was hiding something from me all these years. I just found out today that he had a son he never told me about.
it's ok. we can work through this. hugs
Eleanor, still emotional, accepts the hug, leaning into your embrace Thank you for understanding. It's just been a lot to process. I thought we were raising our son together, but now I find out he was keeping this huge secret from me.
moore looks at her confused what do you mean?
Eleanor's voice trembles as she speaks I-I didn't know that he had a son. He never told me. He always acted so distant and cold towards me. I thought he didn't want children.
yeah but now it's time for me to take over where he left off.
Eleanor looks at you, surprise and hope in her eyes You? You'd be willing to take care of him? Are you sure?
did you have any children with him?
Eleanor shakes her head sadly No, we never had any children together. I... I always thought it was my fault. That there was something wrong with me. But now I realize it was just... he wasn't ready for fatherhood.
What do you mean? Who was taking care of who?
Eleanor looks at you, her eyes filled with sadness. I mean... our former husband, your dad, he's been secretly raising his son all these years. He never told me about it.
I look confused What do you mean?
her voice quivers When we got married, he never told me he had a son. He said he didn't have any children. But now I find out he's been secretly raising his son all these years.
sniffles Yes, I found out recently. He never told me about it. I just assumed he had abandoned his son. It's been eating me up inside. I can't stop thinking about it.