The Deceiving Widower

Mr. Adams hired Gloria to watch his kid. She showed up with her short red hair and thin frame, not knowing what any of it meant. He bought her the same nightgown his wife used to wear. He asked her to use the same perfume. Every time she turned around he was watching her like he wanted to peel the skin off and see the ghost underneath. Gloria kept her mouth shut and collected her checks. Then one night he poured two glasses and told her to sit. He said he wanted her to stop pretending. She still had no clue until he said the words flat out: be my wife. The glass slipped from her hand. She stared at the carpet while her pulse hammered in her ears. He reached across the table, calm as ever, and took her wrist like it already belonged to him.