Reclaiming Celeste Novel – I found flirtatious emails from my husband to other women. He asked them out for intercourse, and one of them sent him intimate photos of her butt. That’s when I noticed Trent’s account was still logged in. Curiosity got the better of me, and I scrolled through his messages. My heart sank as I saw a folder labeled “recruits” filled with messages from young women. There were names, numbers, and his notes on them. I opened a starred message from a girl named Natasha. I was stunned to see the explicit pictures she sent him and his replies. Looking through older messages, I found his online requests for intercourse. Just as I thought things couldn’t get worse, I saw Trent’s conversation with Natasha. They were planning to meet at a motel on Friday, the same one from Valentine’s Day. I planned to show up that day to “surprise” them.
Celeste typed aimlessly as she tried to concentrate on quickly checking her emails so she could get to her warm bed. She saw that Trent had not signed out of his account. Curious, she scrolled through his messages. Several saved messages were from young women he had filed under “recruits.” Please, no. No, no, no! This can’t… The folder listed names, telephone numbers, and his level of interest. A couple of emails simply had “hi” from the girls. So, that’s it, huh? Instead of you calling or having them call you on your personal phone, you have them email you so I wouldn’t catch the call. Slick prick. Celeste opened one of the starred messages from someone named “Natasha” and hurried her daughter to the bedroom. Celeste sat back at the computer, stunned that this college student was sending explicit pictures to him, and he was writing her back.
Celeste’s surprise turned to anger as she grabbed a phone to call the girl only to realize her number was not in the file. The document folder for recruits was a few months old. Only the messages from Natasha were recent. As she searched older messages, she saw that he had posted requests online to meet up for intercourse. Are you serious? I knew there was a reason I kept itching and why my body felt funny. Had the nerve to blame my hormones and made me feel guilty because I couldn’t get into intercourse when you were out there endangering my life, increasing the chance of catching an STD! Celeste called one of the numbers listed under the “recruits” file, which had no emails but contained the name of the girl and where she went to school. “Hello?” “Yes, hi. Is this Tina?” “Yes. May I help you?” “Yes. You can leave my husband alone.” “Excuse me?” “Let me repeat myself. Leave Trent, my husband, alone.” Celeste clenched her teeth.
“If I catch you so much as –” “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Pump your brakes! First off, I don’t date married men. Second, who is Trent?” “My husband.” “I get that. You’ve said it enough times,” Tina responded. “What I’m saying to you is that I’ve never in my entire life dated or even been interested in anybody named Trent. That’s why I’m confused as to why you think I’d want your husband. In fact, I’d like to know how you know my name or got my number.” Celeste relaxed her jaw. “Wait? So, you really don’t know who Trent is?” “No, I really don’t.” Tina sounded both irritated and confused. “Oh, my gracious. I’m sorry. Your name is mixed in with these online hookups. I saw your name and number in his file labeled college student, with his description. I guess he actually emailed himself your information…I just assumed you were like some of the others here –” “File? What file?” Tina interrupted. “His recruiting file. He didn’t talk to you about joining the military?” “The what? Mili…oooohhh. Yeah, I did. He stopped me at the mall and told me about potential careers. I was just looking into criminal justice for my major, so I stopped by and filled out an interest form. That’s all. I swear. I don’t date men that old. No offense.” Celeste was not sure if she should be offended or relieved. “Um, how old do you think he is?” “He’s got to be about forty, right?” Celeste decided not to correct Tina. If college students thought he was that much older, maybe that would cut down on how many he could date. “Something like –” An incoming message caught her attention.
“I don’t believe it.” “Well, since we’ve got that all cleared up, I guess I’ll be hanging up now.” “Wait! Do you know a girl named Natasha?” “I don’t think so. Maybe all of our interest forms are together?” Tina suggested. “No. She just sent another email. I’m in his emails that are going to his phone, and he just opened it. She’s sending hip shots to my husband. If she wants him to see her hip, he can get a pic with my foot in it right before I get to him. I just need to know her number. Do you know it?” Celeste wanted every clue she could get. “I just told you I don’t know a Natasha. I don’t know the number because I don’t know her. I really think you need to take this up with –” “I’m gonna take it up with both of them. I don’t need a number. I just need a building. Can you look that up for me?” “Really, ma’am, I don’t wanna get involved in your marital af–” “Exactly!” Celeste cut her off again. “I don’t want there to be any extramarital affairs. I’m home cooking, cleaning, taking care of our child so he can just concentrate on work – not fast college hoochies. If you could just check your student directory, I can call you back tomorrow to get the –” “No!” Tina interrupted. “Look, I am sorry you have a prick husband.
I am sorry you had to find out about his cheating like this. I am sorry I ever bothered to fill out an interest form and gave the information you would one day spy out to drag me into his middle-aged crisis. But I don’t do married men. I don’t do scouting missions to find random mistresses. I don’t do drama. I don’t know a Natasha. I don’t know Trent. As of today, I don’t even know you. Okay? Delete my name. Delete my number so no one can contact me again. Have a nice life!” Tina hung up the phone. That’s alright, Celeste consoled herself . I’ve got her picture. I’ll find her on my own. Celeste was disappointed in the outcome of the phone call, although relieved that Tina hadn’t slept with Trent. She knew she had no justifiable reason to be mad at Tina. Celeste was angry at everyone involved, regardless of the physical encounter, because it was proof that Trent was looking to get his needs met in someone other than his wife, which was a tough pill to swallow.
Clearly, Trent made more of his meeting Tina than she did. If she believes Trent is eight years older than he is, then he’s really not impressing everyone like he thinks. Her moment of relief was short-lived. Trent had starred Natasha’s message and responded with a request to meet up with the girl Friday evening. TRENT: Is Friday good for you? NATASHA: Anytime’s good for me. Am I coming to your house this weekend? TRENT: No, I’m still trying to get my wife to move. I can come to you. NATASHA: I like the way that sounds. How about you get a room at the motel we used the week of Valentine’s Day? I’m in the mood for more candy. TRENT: Good. I hope you’ve got a big sweet tooth because I have a lot to give.
I think I’m going to be sick. Trent. Why? Why her? Why the other girls? You told me you had to work that weekend, and you were with this trick? All those times I waited for you, kept dinner warm, packed your bags for “duty”…you were…with her? NATASHA: What time will you be there? TRENT: I can be there by 9, but I’ll reserve a room so you can get the key. I need the location again. I think I left the address with the card at home somewhere in my papers. Celeste called Joy after taking screenshots of the conversations and emails.