Mistakes Were Made

by Meryl Wilsner

“You know I’ve been sleeping with someone. And now you know who. That’s all there is to it.” Rachel gave her a Look, which meant Erin was not going to get out of this conversation. “You know that’s not all there is to it,” Rachel said. “You are doing a hell of a lot more than sleeping with her.” Erin did know. Erin had known for a long time, and that was why she’d never told Rachel everything. Rachel always encouraged Erin’s bad decisions. “It doesn’t matter,” she said. “Nothing’s going to happen.” “Nothing’s going to happen? It’s already happening, Erin!” “Rachel, be quiet,” Erin shushed. “Just explain, and I’ll shut up.” “There is nothing to explain,” she said. “I can’t just date my daughter’s twenty-two-year-old best friend because she’s good in bed.” “Are you serious right now?” Erin shrugged, palms open at Rachel. Describing Cassie like that felt cruel, but that was how it had started, right? The best sex of her life in the back of a rental car. That was how it should have ended, too. If Erin had been a better person, a better mother, there wouldn’t have been anything else. Now, she was in over her head, but back then, she could’ve stopped it. She should’ve stopped it before it became something bigger.