“Oh my goodness.  It seems to be a diary of a different sort altogether.”  The book was indeed some kind of diary.  To be more precise, it was a log book of entries, coupled with illustrations, some of which were of Bobby, depicting him in a space outfit, going somewhere.  She turned the pages, hurriedly and saw more illustrations of spacecrafts and strange life forms.  She shuddered at them.

     “Wow.  Thank goodness they’re not real.”  “Bobby never mentioned this to Me; but what is he up to?”  “And why the secrecy?”  Elaine decided that she would quietly follow him tonight and expose him. 

     That evening, Bobby returned from work, at the usual time of 5.45p.m. and excused himself.

     “Elaine, look, if you don’t mind, I’m completely exhausted and would like to go to bed right away.”  Elaine, who had other things in her mind, nodded in approval.

      “No problem, dearest.  Oh, and I’m so sorry about earlier.  I was just concerned.  I…”

      “It’s alright, sweet heart.”  Bobby stroked her hair and went to bed, munching a biscuit on the way.

     That night, Elaine joined him in bed.  He was seemingly in a deep sleep.  She closed her eyes. pretending to be fast asleep and after some time, Bobby awoke and tip-toed out the room and upstairs to his study.  Elaine got up briskly, and tip-toed, barefooted so as not to make any noise, and followed him from behind.  Bobby was about to unlock his private study but the door opened by itself.  Elaine then realised she had forgotten to lock the door earlier.  Bobby looked around, checking if he wasn’t being watched.  Elaine crouched below the stairs and waited until Bobby entered his room.  There was a click.  He had locked himself inside.  She had the second set of keys with her and approached the room.

     “Once I unlock this door, then Bobby will be caught and exposed.”  Elaine thought for a moment and something in her mind told her that she shouldn’t and she turned to go back to bed, but as her back was turned, suddenly the door clicked open and her husband Bobby came out.  He reached out his arms and ushered her in.

     “So, now you have finally discovered the truth.  I told you never to come up here.” 

     “What truth?”  “And why are you behaving so odd?”  ”I think you need help, Bobby.  We’ll go to see the psychiatrist in the morning.  He can help you with your problem.”

     “I don’t have a problem, as you will soon find out.” ”You”re coming with me.”  Bobby held her left hand and took her inside the study room.  The door slammed shut itself and he stared meaningfully at her.

     “I suppose I should be thankful to you for giving me time to prepare myself for my trip.”

     “What trip?  Are you feeling alright?”  Said Elaine, pulling herself free from him.

     “Behold!”  Bobby pointed his left hand at the wall and it slid aside revealing a dome shaped object.  He stroked her hair and smiled, as if to say goodbye and then approached it.  The object was in fact a space craft which he entered from an opening.  It closed in once he was inside.  After a few moments, there was a blinding flash and it vanished into the air.  Only the charred markings of the spaceship were left on the floor.  For a moment, Elaine stood in disbelief and then whispered to herself.

     “All these years: I was married to a being from another planet.”

The End.