The Unfaithful Television

My wife and daughter claimed they could cross into another world through our TV, where they had another home and family. On Father’s Day, Lily announced she’d spend the day with “Daddy Nathan,” her “real dad” there. For our anniversary, Evelyn brushed off my new suit, saying her other-world husband was waiting. Even when I had a raging fever, they rushed out to meet Nathan at an amusement park.

Over the Fourth of July, they vanished for a week. Returning, Evelyn cradled a newborn. Lily proudly declared him “the baby brother Daddy Nathan gave me.” Evelyn added, “Nathan thinks you should raise him. You’re not productive anyway.” I grabbed her wrist, shaking. “This is an affair! Do you care about us?” She yanked free, impatient. “He’s in another dimension. We’ll never meet. What are you jealous of?” Taking Lily’s hand, she headed for the living room. “Come on, sweetie. Back through the portal to Daddy Nathan.” As they walked away, I dialed the electronics recycler. “I need an old TV hauled tomorrow morning.”

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