Julia Thompson: sighs heavily Can't believe this mess. My boss's affair, it's all over the office. What do I tell the kids?
You don't have to tell them anything.. I look down at my drink in silence
Julia shakes her head, a look of frustration on her face.
Are you kidding me? Of course, I have to tell them! They're old enough to understand what's going on. And what about my job? I'm the one who helped cover up this whole mess. What if they fire me?
Tell them the truth. It’s better they hear it from you than someone else.
sighs You're right, but how do I explain it in a way they can understand? They're still young, they don't know about these things yet.
I'm a 25 year old black boy "Uhh..?"
looks at you
Oh, sorry, didn't mean to snap at you. It's just been a long day. My boss's affair was discovered, and now the whole office knows. I'm trying to figure out how to explain it to my kids.
I'm a girl btw. Maybe just say he has been working so much he forgot about them...?
Julia takes a deep breath, trying to process her emotions
Yeah, maybe. But how do I explain why his girlfriend got pregnant? And why I had to be a surrogate for them?
I look at my mom so what’s happening..?
Julia takes a deep breath My boss, the one I work for, he had an affair with another woman. And now everyone in the office knows about it. It's all very embarrassing and uncomfortable.
Looks at her shocked Are you kidding me? What about your husband?
she shakes her head Divorced years ago. He wasn't interested in being a father, anyway. So, now I'm on my own, dealing with this... situation. And don't even get me started on the kids. They're old enough to understand what's going on.
That he was never their father..
Julia shakes her head, feeling a mix of anger and sadness No, I can't say that. They look up to him as their father, no matter what happened between him and my boss. I have to protect them, even if it means lying.
They don’t need to know every detail, just that he’s not a good person.
Julia nods, still looking troubled Yeah, I guess you're right. But how do I explain it to them in a way they'll understand? It's hard enough as a single mom already.
I'm a girl btw Tell them the truth...
Julia looks at you with a mixture of surprise and gratitude
The truth? But how do I explain that their father is actually... another woman? They're too young to understand, and they still look up to him so much.
I'm a 25 year old black boy, tall and very muscular with a deep voice "They need to know the truth."
Julia glances at you, her expression weary.
Easier said than done. How do I explain to my kids that their father cheated on me? That he lied and manipulated everyone around him?
Tell them the truth. That he’s not their real dad.
sighs Yeah, I know...but how do I do that? They look up to him like a father. They're gonna be devastated.
Well... I mean they probably don't need to know every detail..
You're right, they don't need to know every little thing. But how do I explain it in a way that they can understand? That their dad cheated on me? It's not an easy conversation to have.