– I’m filing for divorce, – announced Emily.
At the time, David was engrossed in watching a football match and… didn’t react at all to his wife’s words.
Emily walked over and turned off the TV.
– What are you doing?! Are you out of your mind?! – yelled David, then caught himself, made an effort, and said calmly:
– Sorry. It was just a really crucial moment.
– I’m sure it wasn’t more important than what I said.
– What did you say? – David was confused, realizing that, as usual, he hadn’t listened to his wife.
– I’m filing for divorce.
David’s eyes widened:
– Divorce? Why? I thought everything was fine between us.
– You thought.
– Hold on… Yesterday we went to the theater, the day before I brought you flowers, last week we saw a film. All the things you enjoy…
– Yes, but it was the first time in seven years of marriage. And I even know why.
– And why?! – David was starting to get angry.
– Because I enrolled the kids in nursery, got a job, joined a gym, started going to the spa, changed my style, and made new friends.
– What’s that got to do with anything?
– Everything! You suddenly saw that others find me interesting, that men are noticing me, that I no longer need you like I used to.
– How ridiculous…
– No, David, it’s not ridiculous. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have panicked, wouldn’t have started orbiting around me, wouldn’t have tried to please me, wouldn’t have dropped everything to take me to the movies or to the theater. That’s a serious effort on your part!
– I tried… I wanted to make you happy… Wait, so you’re divorcing me because of that?
– Yes. I don’t want to live this way anymore. You pretend to be a loving husband now, but where were you when I was pregnant, when I was giving birth, when I was up all night? You never helped me with anything! You were just a guest in our lives. You came, you ate, you slept. I can count how many times you held the kids!
– I worked to support you! – David nearly jumped from indignation, – to provide for all of you!
– You did work, I agree. But you worked for yourself too. And you had weekends, which you chose to spend with your friends.
– I have every right!
– I didn’t have weekends, – Emily continued, ignoring David’s comment, – because the kids… they’re yours too. But they were your last concern. I can still hear you say: I gave you money, what else do you want? I wanted… I wanted a reliable, genuine person beside me. Someone who supported me. Not just financially, but emotionally. Someone who cared for me.
But you weren’t interested in that. You lived your own life, a life that didn’t include me or our children…
– You’re exaggerating.
– No, I’m not exaggerating. Do you even know which nursery they attend? We, by the way, spend forty minutes getting there. In the morning! By bus! While you drive to work alone like a king. It takes twenty minutes. However, you never once offered to take the kids.
– You never asked, – David grumbled.
– Why should I have to ask? There are things a loving husband and father just do. It’s taken for granted. But not in your case, as love was never really part of it.
– You make me out to be a monster…
– No, David, you’re not a monster. You’re just completely foreign to me. You became a stranger… Or maybe you always were.
– What’s about the kids? How will you explain it to them? What will you tell them?
– Oh, come on! – laughed Emily, – They only just recently started recognizing you on the street! That won’t be a problem for me at all.
David had no reply. Emily was partially right, but he believed he was understandable: he was a man, she was a woman, she should know her place, manage the home, and look after the kids. That’s how his father always explained it. And his mother agreed. Emily, for some reason, was unhappy…
– How do you plan on managing on just your salary with two children? – David went on the offensive, – As for me – I won’t give you a penny!
– You will, – Emily calmly replied, – Child support is mandatory. And we’ll split whatever we accumulated over the seven years in court. Although there’s not much to divide, still. The fridge, like it or not, is more necessary for us with the children. Knowing you, I’m sure you’ll cling to it just to make a point. That’s why everything goes through the courts. Good thing we don’t have a mortgage. By the way, you can stay at the house. I’ll rent us a new place, – Emily paused, secretly hoping David would object and say that he’d find another place to live instead, so she and the kids could stay in their home… But David said nothing of the sort), – … already found a nice place near the nursery.
– Fine, go then! – David couldn’t listen to Emily any longer, – You think you’re so smart?! Worked everything out, have you?! Forgot anything?! What about the car? I’m not giving it to you!
– I’m not asking for it, – Emily smiled, – I don’t need it.
– Why are you being so generous?! – David couldn’t stop, – The car’s not needed?! You must already be driving around in someone else’s! Come on, admit it: how long have you been cheating on me?! You’re unusually bold!
– Not surprised, – Emily was completely calm, – I knew I’d hear something like that.
– Don’t you understand, – David lunged towards her, grabbed her shoulders, and started shaking her, – Who would want you with two kids?! Why not… forget everything you just said? Live together like before. I promise to change, honestly!
– Like before? No thanks, – Emily firmly replied, – I won’t go back.
– But why?! – David wasn’t shouting anymore, he was screaming at the top of his lungs.
– Because I don’t love you anymore…
David was puzzled, internally panicked and suddenly, as if realizing that further conversations were pointless, conceded:
– If that’s the case – file for divorce.
They separated after six months. Everything unfolded as Emily had planned.
Now she lives with the kids not far from the nursery, and on weekdays her mornings are much calmer.
And on weekends – she’s a completely free woman! Because the ex-husband takes the kids! He takes them around town, stays with them at his place, plays with them. He even cooks!
Who can understand these men?
While married – neither wife nor kids matter. They take them for granted.
Once divorced – they find time for the kids and become almost the best dads in the world…
