It was night when Jane saw the text. Cold and rainy, she remembers not being able to see the moon, just stars.

“It’s a new moon,” said Ford from the bathroom.

He left his phone on the bed. When she heard the shower start, she couldn’t help but look at it. She picked it up, remembering his code from the countless times she had seen him enter it. The first thing she checked was his socials. She saw nothing but sports and unfunny meme exchanges with his friends. She then checks his messages, nothing there either. She shook her head, ashamed of herself for not trusting Ford. As she was putting down his phone, it vibrated in her hands. A text from ‘Mary’, no emojis, no last name.

See you there - Mary

Not flirty, but Jane couldn’t help but think about where they were meeting and why. There were no prior messages, so why delete them if it was innocent? Jane decided to wait, she wanted to catch him in the act.

Everywhere Ford went, Jane followed. To the gym, to work, even when he went out with friends. Of course, Ford didn’t know. She kept some distance between them. It was boring and long, but she was determined to catch him and ‘Mary’. She once looked up from her car, and Ford was at the gym, alone. She looked up at the moon, a perfect right facing crescent.

“Waxing” she whispered to herself.

The day finally came. She followed Ford to the Grand Hilton hotel.

Her hand, sweaty and her head spinning, she walked behind him through the crowded hotel lobby. She calmed a little when she saw him walk to the hotel restaurant and not directly to the elevator. She guessed they were going to eat dinner before ripping each other’s clothes off. For some reason, she found that comforting. She sat at an open table close to the restaurant’s door. She had a clear view of the whole place. Ford went directly to a table in the middle of the room. A tall, Slim woman stood up and gave him a big hug.

Before Jane could think, she was walking over there. Her vision, blurry, and eyes filled with tears.

“How could you do this to me?” Jane yelled.

“Jane?” Ford looked at Mary. He stood up and tried to walk Jane away. “What are you doing here?” he whispered.

Jane pushed his hand away. “What am I doing here? What are you doing here, with her?”

Mary looked around the room, her face turning a bright red as she noticed everyone looking at them.

“Maybe I should go,” Mary said, standing up, pulling her purse over her shoulder.

“No, you should stay, homewrecker, I’ll leave.” And with that, Jane stormed out of the restaurant. She couldn’t help the tears, she knew she looked like a mad woman.

“New Moon activities,” she heard a waiter say, which made her cry even more.

Jane drove to her mother’s house, and like always, her mother welcomed her with open arms.

After a few days, Ford texted her asking if he could explain. She drove up to their shared apartment. Before she entered, she looked up at the moon, a left facing crescent.

She sighed.

“Waning” she whispered, and with that, she opened the door.

Ford explained that Mary was just a client. She’s from Washington and was interested in looking at new houses here, so they met at the hotel restaurant to go over her options. He kissed her on the forehead and hugged her tightly.

“I’m sorry,” Ford whispered.

“I’m sorry too,” Jane responded.

A few days passed, and Jane no longer stayed at her mother’s house.

“You should’ve seen everyone’s face once you left,” Ford said teasingly.

Jane shook her head and laughed. She got up and went into the kitchen. She left her phone on the couch next to Ford.

“Man, it’s a super clear night, I can’t even see the moon,” Jane called out.

“New Moon,” Ford said flatly, as he read the text on Jane’s phone

See you there - Greg.