01

My wife had been on a business trip abroad for over a year. When she returned, there was a new scar on her belly.

She told me it was from an appendectomy, which I didn't think much of at the time.

Until my widowed Mother-in-law, in her fifties, suddenly announced she had given birth to a child.

I noticed my wife spending every night with the infant, even saying to it:

"Sweetheart, say 'Mama'."

1

I jolted awake in the dead of night, only to find my wife's side of the bed empty.

Stepping out of the bedroom, I spotted her cradling our infant in the living room.

"Sweetheart, say 'Mama,'" she cooed.

My wife's face beamed with joy as she peppered the baby's face with kisses.

She glanced up, noticing me, and a flicker of unease crossed her eyes.

"Honey, why are you up?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise.

I furrowed my brow. "What did you just ask the baby to call you?"

"I told her to call me 'sissy,' of course. Are you still half-asleep, darling?"