Going back to that fateful business trip, it all started when my boss called me in a rush last month. I was asked to fly to Denver the very next morning to rescue a client account that was on the verge of disaster. The timing couldn’t have been worse since Jake’s birthday was that weekend, and we’d been planning a big BBQ party for weeks. I dreaded telling him the news.
When I got home that evening, I found Jake in the kitchen, happily getting things ready for the party. I tried to put off the moment, but eventually, I had to break it to him. His face fell the instant I explained that I had to leave for Denver the next morning and would miss his birthday. I tried to make it sound better, suggesting we could celebrate when I got back or finally take that road trip we’d been talking about for months. He gave a weak smile and said, “Yeah, sure. We can definitely take that road trip. It’ll be great.” I promised him I’d make it up to him, but his forced smile and quiet acceptance made it clear that he was deeply disappointed. As we hugged goodbye, I whispered, “I love you,” and he replied softly, “Love you too. Just… come back soon, okay?”
Now, standing in our backyard, witnessing this surreal “funeral” scene, I was still at a loss. I couldn’t understand what could have driven Jake to organize something like this. It was as if I’d stepped into a strange, alternate reality where everything I thought I knew about our relationship was being turned upside down. I took a deep breath, trying to gather my wits about me, knowing that I had to find out the truth behind this bewildering situation.