Make Us a Family - Episode 1
by Sara Harris
Your husband is cheating on you.
I’m sorry, but you have the wrong number.
No, I don’t. This is Dr. Shelli Carter, right?
Long blonde hair. Green eyes. And you like caramel macchiatos from the coffee shop.
Who is this?
You’re married to John Carter. Drives a red truck.
Works late at his job as a real estate agent most weekends.
What do you want with me and my family?
Family. That’s what I want.
You don’t have a family?
I thought I would when I found out I was pregnant.
But when I told John…
You’re saying my husband is the father of your child?!
It’s no use calling John.
How did you know I was calling him?
His phone is on my nightstand.
He has you saved as 'My Sister Shelli,' by the way.
But now I know you’re his wife.
My husband is with you right now?
He told me he was showing a house out of town.
Just like he told me he wasn’t married.
He’s a liar, Shelli.
We’ve been married 5 years.
How long have you been in the picture?
Over a year.
But he quit coming around as much after I asked him to move in with me.
When I told him I wanted us to be a family.
I’m sorry, I can’t listen to this.
Shelli wait.
I had to find out what he was hiding.
When he came over today, I looked through his phone.
I read all your messages and found your pictures.
You both look happy.
Where is my husband now?
In the shower.
I’m really sorry.
That doesn’t mean anything to me.
It’s not your husband with another woman.
It’s not another woman carrying your husband’s child.
We found out I can’t have children over a year ago.
I guess it makes sense that he’d go looking elsewhere.
If I’d known he was married, I never would have given him a second look.
He lied to me just like he lied to you.
How far along are you?
I’m due in 2 weeks.
So why did you contact me?
Just to rub salt in a wound?
He lied to both of us, Shelli.
We should confront him.
Together.
Shelli, will you confront your husband with me?
Please?
Yes.
Let’s do it now.
It’s 10:00 at night, everything’s closed.
Where should we meet?
Well, where did you two used to meet?
The empty parking lot behind Walmart.
I’ll meet you there in 10 minutes.
You already know who I am.
I guess you’ll be the one in the truck with my husband.
I wish we had met under better circumstances, Shelli.
We might have even been friends.
15 minutes later, behind Walmart
Shelli? That looks like your car by the dumpsters.
Yes. It’s me.
Are you ready?
To start our family? Of course I am.
Have you been thinking of names?
Only every day.
Did you bring your medical bag?
I’ve got it.
And you’re sure she doesn’t have any family?
Positive.
Is she out?
I gave her the full dose of morphine, just like you told me.
I’ll hook her up to the oxygen and give her the epidural.
You go to the house, the U-Haul is packed and in the driveway.
I’ll hook it to my truck and meet you at our new apartment over the state line in Illinois.
We’ll be in our new home before she even wakes up.
If she wakes up.
Ready to have a baby?
I can have the baby out in 30 seconds.
And John?
Yes, my love?
Thank you for making us a family.
App