Free Sex and the Social Network by Victoria Lexington

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    MARIA: I can’t get Enrique out of mind… and I’m scared I’m gonna get busted.
    LIZ: What? Why do you think that?
    MARIA: Well, when Zack came home, he asked me a bunch of questions. Said he called me at home last night, which btw, he NEVER does. He told me he noticed I had recently become friends on Facebook with Enrique, and he actually came out and asked me if I was messing around! Then we had sex in the middle of the day and he just seemed . . . different.
    LIZ: Different how?
    MARIA: I don’t know . . . rough, fiery, but not in a sexy way. Like, in a controlling way.
    LIZ: He was probably just testing you to see how you’d react. You know he’s always been jealous of your history with Enrique, so he’s probably just pissed you’re back in touch with him.
    MARIA: I hope so. Otherwise, you may find me in the bottom of a lake.
    LIZ: Nah, guys like to beat up the other guy, not their wives.
    MARIA: You don’t know Zack. The crazy thing is that I feel somewhat numb to him right now. If it wasn’t for the kids, I would have left him years ago.
    LIZ: Ugh, I didn’t realize you were so unhappy.
    MARIA: I didn’t either. I’ve been in denial. Everyone thinks Zack is so wonderful. I’ve been going through the motions for so long, I assumed he was too.
    LIZ: Harsh, Maria.
    MARIA: Truth=truth.
    LIZ: Oh boy, any plans to see Enrique again?
    MARIA: Yes, Zack has an overnight to the East Coast on Friday.
    LIZ: Are you sure you want to do this?
    MARIA: Do what? Meet Enrique on Friday?
    LIZ: All of it - the affair, the lies, all that comes with that.
    MARIA: No, I’m not sure, but at this point I feel like I can’t stop it.
    LIZ: Sure you can. Whether you want to or not is something different altogether.
    MARIA: I can’t. I don’t expect you to understand. You have a husband who loves you and who shows you. Enrique has shown me more caring and concern and intimacy in the short time since we’ve reconnected than Zack has, maybe ever.
    LIZ: Has Enrique given you any indication that he feels the same way about his wife?
    MARIA: He’s said a few things in passing, like she is a bitch and she’s ungrateful and selfish.
    LIZ: It’s too bad we can’t just hit rewind and go back in time.
    MARIA: I keep thinking the same thing.
    LIZ: Maria, I’m worried about you.
    MARIA: Don’t be. I’m a big girl.
    LIZ: Yes, but big girls can get hurt too.
    MARIA: Thanks, Mom.
    LIZ: Ok, message received. I better run. Braden wants to hang out.
    MARIA: K, TTYS.
    LIZ: Nite.
     
    I felt sick to my stomach. This innocent flirting on Facebook seems to be snowballing out of control. Maria and Enrique didn’t just have a one night fling; they are meeting next Friday. It was madness. I wanted to try and talk some sense into her, but that seemed pointless.

JULIA
    Aaron texted me he’d be working late and to eat without him. I didn’t even mind; I realized I liked it better when he wasn’t home. That wasn’t a good sign. It was more peaceful without him around nitpicking and complaining about the economy. I still had Shoshana’s new car on my mind so I decided to play the guilt card and called Aaron at the office.
    “Hi, Julia. Didn’t you get my text?”
    “I did. I just wanted to ask you something since I wasn’t sure if I’d still be up by the time you got home tonight.”
    “What is it?” Aaron sounded slightly annoyed.
    “So today when I was on my way to get donuts with Arielle, I noticed Shoshana Ginsburg got a new Escalade.”
    “And?”
    “Well, I was thinking I should probably upgrade my Mercedes to the GL450.” I held my breath, not sure how Aaron would respond.
    “What do you need a bigger car for, Julia?”
    “I just think it would be a good idea. I’ve had my E-Class for a few years now. I like the idea of driving a SUV anyway.”
    Aaron sighed heavily. “We’ll see, Julia. I’m not sure if you need a bigger car, but I’ll think about it.”
    “Hooray”, I thought to myself. Whenever Aaron said