The Other Two by Edith Wharton, was another I've enjoyed reading so far. Newly married, Waythorn encounters Alice's first husband, Mr. Haskett, who wants to visit his sick daughter in their household. Waythorn also runs into Varick, another of Alice's ex-husbands, and has to do business with him. Throughout the story, Waythorn struggles with the thought of these two men being his is wife's past, and now back into their lives again, thank goodness for different reasons though!, and struggles with the doubts he is now questioning with his wife. The two men become a constant visitor into Mr. Waythorn's life, through business and his home life. This rises a struggle within himself.
Although this would be very stressful to be in his situation, considering no one likes run-ins with their love's ex's, that's just human!, but it does happen for reasons which they cannot control. Mr. Haskett has a daughter, Lily, with Alice, and she has become very ill, and he has every right to see his daughter. Since she usually goes to visit him, she cannot do that now, and this requires Mr. Haskett to visit her in their home... extremely uncomfortable and not something anyone wants to deal with by any means, but necessary and understandable. Next, is Varick. He was Alice's second, and most recent ex-husband, and also a business man within Waythorn's business, requiring him to work with him. So not only does he have to deal with a man being in his home, when he goes to work, he has to deal with this also. Is this woman worth this? I vote yes. If Waythorn really loves his wife, regardless of being newly wed, anyone would probably arise doubts and question their lives/marriages, but he should step back and view this from a distance. They weren't there to harm nor interfere into their lives/relationships, rather were just there merely by coincidence and at the wrong time in the newly wed lives together! Business is business, and hopefully when all is done and when what is needed to be taken care of, is taken care of, then hopefully he will not have to encounter Varick any longer. And Mr. Haskett was there merely for the sake of his sick daughter, which any good father should be... can't blame a man for simply being there for his daughter!! Can't say that about many people and their kids these days!! Boy, has the times changed!! Needless to say, as long as these men aren't interfering and causing problems, then move it along!! Yes awkward, but that's human nature. Him and his wife just need to stay communicated on Mr. Haskett's visits to her/their daughter. But the ending is kind of funny... all of them together in the same room smoking cigars together... ironic :)
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