"No, it's not. Yes, it is. No, it's not. Yes-it-is." Repeated one of the teen's phones as the group of boys dragged their feet down the sidewalk, pushing one another, trying to watch the video. "Is that… Is that blood?" One boy asked. "Nah, it's dog shit dummy." A tall and stark boy said slapping the first boy on the back of the head. "There are poop bags in the background… it does seem like they're trying to tell us it's shit." The boy holding the phone said confidently. "It's chocolate." Called out the boy in the back, eating a Nutella sandwich. "No, it's not." All the boys yelled at him. "YES, IT IS." He screamed back at them. "I already read the comments." He said between bites. "Creator says so right there."

I laughed to myself quietly enjoying the boy's triumph and pushing the snow up onto the boulevard, making the snow pile even bigger for Oden, our enormous Saint Bernard. Whistling. "Come here, Oden," I call out to him, as the large dog waddles through the snow and immediately buries his whole head until it disappears into the bank. "Come on kids! Into the car please, we have to leave for school! Kid's already passed for the bus!" I place the shovel beside the front porch and whistle for Oden to come inside.

"Coming mummy!" Olivia called out as she hurried down the stairs. "Hat, boots, scarf, mitts…" I started rambling off trying to encourage them to focus. "Coat, lunch, vitamins, water…" She rambled back to me making a face. I blew her a kiss as I leaned on the stairwell. "Hey, Ryan?" I called up the stairs. "I'm coming, I'm coming." He screamed down the stairs. You could clearly hear the mess of clothes and things on the floor as he moved about the room. The closer he got, the louder the music was coming from his headphones that hung uselessly around his neck. "Really?" I asked sarcastically raising a brow. He smiled sweetly and leaned in for a kiss. I smiled when I felt his kiss on my cheek. "Sweet boy," I say to him lovingly pinching his cheeks. "I should have named you Justin," I tell him jokingly. "Not this again." He rolls his eyes at me which fuels my fire.

Walking to the car, I stand firm on my argument. "Your grandfather looked like Bieber growing up and so do you!" I push. It's not true. His hair is grown out a bit like the old haircut that trended back in the day, and he had the sweet face that started his career, but he's long since outgrown that boyish charm. I knew it bugged him, so I couldn't help myself. He's a really good kid. The car door slams from all sides and I look over my shoulder at Olivia. "Backpack? Homework? Laptop?" I ask her seriously, she nods sipping a juice box, holds up her bag, and puts my mind at ease from any further questioning. I nod at her, smile, and blow her an air kiss. I turn my attention to Ryan beside me, I do a visual check and ask, "Lunch?" He smiles and pulls the brown paper bag out of his backpack and places it back in.

I back the car up and get halfway up the road before my mind starts to ask questions again. "I know you want to be environmentally friendly and everything, but wouldn't using a reusable lunch pack be more ideal and cost-efficient?" He takes a deep breath and says to me calmly. "Not this again." Olivia is already laughing in the back seat. "I mean, I just think it makes more sense. Don't you?" Olivia nods but Ryan stands firm. "Mom, lunch bags cannot be recycled like paper can. Some of the materials are not environmentally friendly. Besides, I don't want a matching pack to go with my bag" He does have a good argument, I bought him a matching set ever since he was one. But I'm a Taurus. "I can get you an environmentally friendly one. It can be made completely of bamboo! Paper, whatever!" Ryan scuffs, "They all look stupid." He argues, "Besides, I reuse my paper bags. It IS a reusable lunch bag." I choke for a second and try not to laugh. "No, you don't!" I blurt out at him. "You get a new bag every day! By the time your old one gets home, it's all soggy and stained from whatever is floating around your lunch bag." He looks at me like I've just told him there's no Santa.

I pull into the school parking lot and park the car. "Think about it?" I ask him, putting my hand on his. He smiles at me and pecks me on the cheek before hopping out. "I love you!" I shout to him from the window. I turn back to Olivia, she smiles and pecks me on the cheek and I kiss her other cheek back. "I love you," I say to her, looking at her and feeling so proud of the woman she is becoming. "I love you too mum." She says and smiles. "Have the best day, love! I'll see you after." I tell her as she gets out. "I love you!" I scream again as she walks to the school. She waves her hand but doesn't turn. I sigh, and say "Teenagers," as I pull out of the parking lot. Snow starts to fall again and the road gets a be slick. There's a couple walking their dogs to the dog park near our home and makes me think I should have brought Oden with us.

I pull into the driveway and already there is more snow for me to shovel. I grab the shovel and start to clear it away. "Hello, Cheryl." I hear one of the neighbors talking to another. "Oh, hi Brian! How's it going?" She is dragging suitcases and making tracks in her un-shoveled driveway. "You going somewhere, Cheryl?" Brian asks her curiously watching her pack her bags into a taxi. Cheryl lights up as she answers, "Yes! I'm going to Mexico. We leave today! Real sudden, just the right timing I guess!" She tells him as she puts the suitcases into the vehicle. "Wow! Today, that is sudden! What time do you and Dan take off?" She stops and thinks a moment, carefully choosing her words. "Actually, Dan isn't coming this time. It's uh, just me. Besides, he has some things he needs to take care of here, and he'd just be bored. I told you it was for work right?" She closes the trunk and observes Brian, satisfied with her answer. "Well, best be off!" She calls out as she hops into the taxi.

I watch as they drive down the road. What a strange conversation. Mexico, suddenly? Hmm, I would love to have that kind of money. What job sends their people out to Mexico on such little notice? I thought to myself. This thought stayed with me for most of the day. I took Oden to the dog park, hoping I could get it off my mind. I hate not having answers to things, I start to come to my own conclusions. Enough of that for a day could make someone delusional. "Lisa?" I say as I walk down the path to the woman walking the short bulldog. "Oh Hi Julia!" She called back to me. "It's been quite a while, Lisa!" I give her a hug as our dogs greet one another. "Where's Tyler? Stuck in the office this week?" I ask her jokingly. Lisa raises her eyebrows and says, "Actually he's on his way to the airport. His work is sending him out to Mexico for 2 weeks. He said he only found out over the weekend. Takes off today at 3 pm."

My eyes widen, "Wow," I say. "Lucky guy! Mexico huh… for 2 weeks you say?" At this point, I am just repeating what she's saying because my mind has already raced off into a vortex of thoughts. Lisa nods and continues to talk to me about it, but I can't hear her anymore. My thoughts have become too loud and I am starting to jump to untrue conclusions. "Does he work with anyone on our street?" I questioned her, unsure if she was done talking or not. "Um, no, not that I'm aware of. Why?" She asked curiously. I try to choose my words carefully so as not to scare her with my crazy accusations. "Just curious, I overheard neighbors talking and it sounds like they were also leaving for Mexico today." Lisa nods and says, "Well it is winter! I'm sure his business is thinking the same thing. Get warm!" She laughed and then waved goodbye as she carried on down the path.

I couldn't get the thought out of my head. Could it be? Even Lisa didn't suspect a woman would be going to Mexico when she mentioned "his" company. There was just one thing to do…

I waited two weeks to see if that was when Cheryl would return home. Since I run my company from home, I arranged my front room so that I can use it as my office and I watched her house every day. It was Monday, exactly 2 weeks since they had left and the day Tyler was due home. I was on edge. Watching the house like a hawk, I couldn't eat I was so nervous. I stayed in the main room watching the house, only leaving to let Oden outside and to make coffee in the kitchen. I was on my third cup. I poured the hot water into the mug when I heard doors slamming from outside. I put the kettle down and ran to the front room. There was a taxi outside Cheryl's house, it was a van with tinted windows. I couldn’t quite tell, but it looked like someone was sitting in the back seat where she was. She opens the back and grabs her bags. There are additional bags too, brown leather with chunky straps. Looks a lot like men's luggage. "Wait" I scream as I look over the seats, a man is talking over his shoulder with a brown hoody on. "Tyler?" I whisper as if they would hear me. She closes the back and then comes around the side to say goodbye.

The taxi backs out and drives down the road toward Lisa and Tyler's home. The windows are too tinted and I can't get a visual. My nerves jolt my body into action and I scream for Oden. He meets me at the door and I quickly leash him. "Ready for a run buddy?" I ask him slipping on my runners. The door opens and we blast down the road. They're about a block or two away from our house. I am running faster than I ever have and poor Oden is struggling to remain in front. My heart pounds as we near the house. I start to slow and Oden is grateful as he takes this opportunity to poop. "No taxi," I say breathing hard. My body loosens and my muscles start to become less tense. I smile at Oden and feel free knowing that my thoughts were all they were. Thoughts. I bend over to pick up the poop with the bag and we start walking back home. "Oh, hey Julia!" a man calls out to me. I suddenly feel sick to my stomach, I turn my head slowly to look over my shoulder and see Tyler, carrying his bulldog back inside… wearing a brown hoodie.

"No way." I thought to myself. "There's no way that Tyler would cheat on Lisa." I tried to keep this in mind as Tyler approached me and Oden. "Hi… Tyler" I said almost choking on saliva. I swallowed hard and asked, "What's up?" He smiled and said "Ah, just got in the door, thought I'd take patches out. Poor guy has been cooped up all day." he said gesturing to the little dog tucked under his arm. I don't want to be having this conversation, not with him not EVER. "OH yeah?" I ask trying to seem uninterested, looking around the neighbourhood and at my wrist for my missing watch. "Yeah, I just got back from Mexico." He said while I struggled to look him in the eye. I see their family vehicle cleaned off and parked in the driveway and ask hopefully, "Nice drive back from the airport?" I pray he just agrees and I can put this crazy thought to rest. "Yeah nice enough." He said, fighting to keep patches contained in his hold. The dog whined and tried to wiggle free. I exhaled, feeling grateful and satisfied with his answer. I try to make my escape now.

"The cab driver couldn't mind their own business, that was pretty much the only downfall. I had a great view, however." He paused a moment, lost in his words. "It was incredible." OH NO. I try to contain myself but I can't help it. I'm boiling inside. "Incredible eh, you think Lisa will find the view freaking incredible too?". NO. That WASN'T supposed to slip out. "Uh, yeah. Of course she would, if she was there." He replied puzzled. He's good. I think to myself, swallowing hard and looking at Oden. "Well, I should get him home. We've been out all day." I start up the road dragging Oden behind me. "Okay, see you around," Tyler shouts after me. He knows some things up.

I try to get the thought out of my head as I drive to pick the kids up from school. "Mom. Mom?" Ryan persisted but I was gone. Driving in auto piolet. I can't believe what I might have seen today. What do I do? Do I say something? I don't have any proof… "MOM!" Ryan yells with his arm outstretched pointing at the red light I'd just run. "Oh my god Mom, what is wrong with you!" Olivia shouts at me from the back seat. "I'm. I'm sorry." I get out between breaths. Luckily there was no one in the intersection, possibly how my eyes managed to avoid the light. I'm starting to lose it. I need a hot bath and wine. The kids and I pile in the house and I can't be bothered with dinner. Dad will be home late so I convince the kids to have pizza with me. We all fill up and then the two split up and head straight to their rooms leaving me and Oden in the main room snacking on crusts. I look down at him, gnawing on the crispy bits, and say "I want a bath." Oden raises his eyebrows and gets up slowly trying to sneak out of the room. I laugh at him, "Not you silly! ME!" I clean up dinner and grab my bottle of Pinot Grigio.

I open the door to my bedroom and then lock the double doors before entering my bathroom. Oden trots along with me carrying his bison chew in his mouth, he sniffs around the rooms before settling right in the doorway between them. "And this is why I close doors," I tell him jokingly. Hmm, already having conversations with my dog. Maybe I should call it on the wine. I think to myself, turning on the facet and filling the tub with hot water. The room becomes steamy and I try to relax and clear my mind as I slowly lower myself into the bathtub. I try not to dig deeper into the situation. I've caused enough trouble and with no proof and nothing to show for it, I have no business to pry. I let myself sink into the tub and the water covers my face. Bubbles escaping my nose tickle as they journey to the surface. I stay there a moment and just melt. I can hear Oden chewing on his dog treat as his movements vibrate the floor.

It relaxes me, having him here when Jack is working late. I always felt uneasy when he worked late, worried for the kids, worried for me. I wasn't in any position to protect us when they were younger. But ever since getting Oden, he's been our protector, and at the size he is, nobody bothers with us. I exhale deeply pop out of the water and look at Oden. He's fast asleep lying on his back looking like a rabbit with his paws folded. I smile trying not to wake him with my laughter. His barrel where we keep extra baggies, carry his water on long hikes, or use when we're camping sat on his collar still, oddly standing upright on the bathroom floor. I usually take that off him on our last bathroom visit of the night, just in case I forget to bring a baggie for his poops. Doesn't seem to bother him… dog bags. Wait a minute, I think to myself sitting up and splashing the floor. Patches escaped! I conclude to myself.

I try to iron out all the details in my mind while I wait for the bath to drain. Wrapping my towel around me, I am fixated on the thoughts in my mind. Tyler was out there with no jacket, no leash, and no doggy bags and I know Lisa is adamant about doggy bags because she always has a new stylish carrier for them attached to the leash and has several roles on hand. It is odd that Tyler would knowingly take Patches outside without anything he would need. Especially out to the front yard. Unless Patches escaped when Tyler came home. He might have left the door open when he brought in his luggage and didn't realize Patches was close to the front door.

"That would explain why he was carrying Patches," I say out loud drying my hair. I don't own a small dog, but I would assume if the intention is for the dog to go to the bathroom then it should be on the ground where it's able to do its business. I tried to visualize the whole situation in my mind again. Definitely no leash, I'd remember. At first, I thought he was taking him out for a pee, but I didn’t see patches on the ground at all! Oden wakes from all the excitement. He gets up, moves over about two feet, and lays back down to resume his nap. My mind is shot. I don't know what to do. I dwell on the sick feeling in my stomach, the decision I have to make. I wish I had actual proof! I think as I robe myself and walk over to my side of the bed.

I try to free myself of all thought and slip into sleep, the wine helps. I toss and turn in a relentless dream, I'm chasing Tyler, scolding him as if he were my kid. Lisa is crying. I must have told her. Before I can make sense of everything, my alarm goes off. "Wake me up" Starts on the radio before I slam the snooze. I roll over and stare at Odin. Unmoved from where I remember him. Sitting up, I stretch my arms up high and pull myself up to greet the day. I can feel the wine from last night and the unsettled feelings from my dream. A run should help. I think to myself as I dress for the day. "Come on boy," I whisper to Oden trying not to wake Jack. It's 5 a.m., he probably only just got in 2 hours ago.

Oden waits for me as I put my runners on. I slip on my Hi-Viz sweatshirt and leash him before opening the door. The air is cool and crisp. We take off down the sidewalk, keeping a nice steady pace. Coming up to the corner, Oden slows to greet our neighbour, Gerry. "Morning Gerry!" I call out to him as he brings the luggage to his trunk and tries to strategically place the bags. "Hey you, Rocky!" Since the first day, he saw me running, he has always called me that. I never know if I should feel offended or impressed with that nickname, but he's always been sweet to me so I don't pay it any mind. I stop as Oden politely says his hello. "You going somewhere?" I ask him, admiring all the bags he's managed to fit thus far. He chuckles, "Oh me and the misses are off to Florida again for the next couple of months! Our son has a convention and he is going to be spending some time there. We thought we'd meet him there and stay at the old house." He smiles proudly as he squeezes a carry-on into a space far smaller than the mass of the bag.

I give him a look of admiration and he laughs in response. "Yeah, got to get going early, we want to leave here by 6:30 and we still need to run Cheryl through all the chores she'll need to do while we're gone." He turns to the vehicle and scratches his head like he just realized he forgot something important. He shrugs it off and looks at me with a smile. I smile back. Oden is lying down on the ground under the vehicle looking like he's never going to leave. I pull at him to try and hint that we are moving soon. "So you have a lot of chores for Cindy?" I ask, not realizing I had gotten the name wrong. Gerry scratches behind Oden's ears and sweetly corrects me. "Cheryl, and yeah. Just a few, that and caring for George our tabby. She's been doing this for years for us, she always does such a good job, and George loves her! She practically moves in with her husband so it's like a vacation for them." He looks up at me and smiles, but I'm still choking on his words. "Sorry, did you say… Cheryl?" I ask carefully.

"That's right." He replies. "Well, speak of the devil. Here she comes now." Gerry waves eagerly to the person walking down the road coming up behind me. My stomach twists in knots and I feel like throwing up. Please don't be her, please don't be her. I repeat in my head praying that by some miracle, it wouldn't be. But of course, despite my avoidance of the matter… it seems that I simply can't escape it. "Morning!" I hear her say from behind, I slowly turn my head, still praying. But it's no use.

Homewrecker Cheryl is making her way down the road towards me and Gerry, George walks up to greet her purring loud enough that I can hear. I turn to Gerry and say "I should probably get going." He smiles and pats me on the shoulder. I nod and start up down the road again. "Have a great trip!" I call out to him before turning the corner. I take one last look at Cheryl before we start to run again. But then… It hits me.

I stop dead in my tracks, just across the road, on the opposite side of the street. I can see Tyler and Lisa's house, just almost hidden by the neighbour's large fence on the corner of the road. I turn back to Gerry's house and realize his side entrance with George's door was a well-hidden entrance for the two to "meet". The door is just out of sight of Lisa's front window and is hidden from Cheryl's house. I swallowed hard realizing what had to be done. I had to catch them in the act.

But how?