– Mike, where are you going? – Laura peeked out from the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel, looking at her husband with surprise.
Mike, a forty-five-year-old manager at a large construction company, had made up his mind. He packed a suitcase while his wife was busy in the kitchen making him breakfast. Now, he stood in the hallway of their spacious and cozy apartment.
Laura always prepared morning meals and fed the family. She believed a hearty and nutritious breakfast was not just essential for good health but also for a successful day. When the children were younger, she was always the first to rise, preparing for the bustling family. With three kids, Laura had chosen not to work, focusing on their upbringing. Fortunately, Mike’s income always provided them with a comfortable life without needing her to work.
Mike remained silent. He looked at Laura, with whom he had spent twenty-five years, and knew he was right—he needed to act decisively and immediately. Lately, Laura had let herself go a bit; the sparkle in her eyes was gone, the fire that once attracted him had dimmed. She no longer drew him in as a woman.
For that, Mike had Natalie, a young, vibrant brunette he met at an office retreat. Her beauty and intelligence struck Mike immediately, and her courage and determination matched his own. That’s why he stood there in the hallway with a suitcase in hand.
Enough is enough! How long should he live with a woman he no longer loves and spend his hard-earned money on her? Their children were grown, living independently. Ivan and Pete had started working after earning their degrees. Only Eve was still in college, but he was always ready to help her.
But his wife—why should she be his burden? Natalie told him the same, and he knew she was right. Mike worked hard without sparing himself, while Laura stayed home, spending his money.
– You should have left her long ago. Look at her, just lazing around! – Natalie would say, hugging him. – And you should split the apartment. Let her live in a one-bedroom and earn for herself.
– Yes, Natalie, you’re right. There’s nothing keeping us together. We should resolve this.
– Are you going somewhere, Mike? – Laura asked, surprised. – Why didn’t you say anything? I’d have made some sandwiches for you. You shouldn’t leave hungry. Who knows when you’ll get to eat? Business trip, perhaps?
– Why are you always fussing over food? Sandwiches! Ridiculous! Don’t you know you can get a decent meal anywhere nowadays? Breakfast, lunch, dinner? Let me enlighten you – it’s been possible for a while! Always hanging around the kitchen as if nothing else exists in life.
Mike’s frustration was building, unable to confront the main issue—firmly telling her he was leaving for another.
– Is something wrong? Why are you tense, Mike? – Laura asked softly and kindly.
Laura had known for a while that Mike had someone else. She suspected he’d want to leave one day. Maybe today was the day. However, Laura, being wise, also knew her husband well.
– Because I’m leaving you, that’s why! I’ve had enough of this life!
– Understood. Where to? – she asked calmly, as if he had just told her it was raining outside.
– To another woman. She’s nothing like you, a beauty and a smart woman! And she won’t waste her time in the kitchen! She has many fascinating and important things to do.
– Oh, you found such a woman? Congratulations, Mike.
– Yes, what’s so strange about that? Am I not deserving of someone like her? – He was surprised at how effortlessly this difficult conversation unfolded.
– Of course, you deserve even more, Mike.
– Do you really think so? – Mike asked, skeptical.
– Yes, I do. Who knows you better than I? You work hard, earn well, you’re smart, and, to be honest, handsome!
– You understand we’ll need to split this apartment, right? – he added, softly, almost apologetically.
– I understand, and that would be fair. I fully support your decision. We’ll split it as per the law, – Laura replied with a smile.
– Well… Thank you for understanding. Honestly, I expected a scene. But you took it in stride. I married you for a reason, after all, – Mike said proudly.
– Why cause a scene? We fell out of love. Why should we live together forever because of that? We’re not the first to do this, – Laura continued.
– It’s good you think that way. Here’s another thing… Maybe you should consider finding a job. I won’t be funding you anymore. By law, we’ll be strangers. Or are you planning to file for support? I warn you, you’ll lose in court. You’re healthy and able to work, Laura. It’s just that you stayed home for many years.
– Stayed home? Is that how you see it? Did the kids raise themselves? Fine, let’s not argue. As for work, I have no plans to seek a job.
– Why not? How will you live? Are you relying on our sons to help? They’ve just started working; they barely have enough for themselves.
– I’m not taking money from them, don’t be absurd, – Laura countered. – I have another plan.
– And what might that be?
– Are you genuinely interested in what happens after you leave?
– Out of sympathy and concern, yes. After all, we share many things, like the kids.
– I’ll remarry. My husband will support me, – Laura said, watching his reaction.
– Remarry? What? – Mike was taken aback.
– I’ll soon be a divorced, single woman. Of course, I’ll have every right to remarry.
– Do you have prospects? Do you think it’s that easy to find a worthy partner? Especially at your age, Laura, – he skeptically assessed her.
– Oh, there’ll be no shortage of candidates, trust me! – Laura stated confidently.
– Why are you so confident? – Mike loosened his tight tie and found himself in the kitchen, absent-mindedly eating pancakes Laura had just made.
– Let me be honest with you for once. Honest for honest, as they say.
– Go on, – Mike was chewing his second pancake. – Can you make me some tea? I’m choking here…
– I suspected for a while that you wanted to leave me, – Laura handed Mike a cup of tea, almost casually.
– Really? What gave you this idea? – he asked, genuinely surprised.
– Let that remain my womanly secret. Anyway, I thought—what’s next for me? So, I decided to take action.
– Action?
– Exactly. I joined a dating site. You know, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of interested men.
– Really? What led you there? I’m surprised, didn’t expect that from you, – Mike skeptically responded.
– Well, now we each fend for ourselves. I decided to start vetting candidates. It’s not easy, you know, and it takes time. One mistake, and the new partner could leave for someone young and bold. But you know all about that.
– And do you already have contenders? Or are you still just hoping?
– Of course, there are! Quite a few, actually! – Laura said, smiling slyly and softly.
– What could they possibly see in an aging woman like you?
– Don’t you know? Women my age are highly sought after by wise, mature men on these sites. We’re in demand! Young women are fickle, might cheat, always wanting something more. We, however, are settled, homely, cozy, and know what men need.
– That’s absurd! Men always chase younger women, – Mike argued.
– They do, but after them, they seek different women. And when I mentioned I’m a great cook and own a place—since you said we’ll split the apartment—they flocked to me!
Mike pondered over his wife’s story. The idea that she would do well unsettled him after leaving. Was it jealousy surfacing? Just great, that’s all he needed.
– So, are you going? I think someone is waiting for you, Mike. It’s not nice to keep a lady waiting. And I have plans too. I’m meeting my first candidate today. I need to prepare and make myself presentable. He has long been inviting me out. Since you’re leaving, why should I wait, right?
– You know, I remembered I have an important meeting with suppliers today. I’ll leave the suitcase for now. I’ll pick it up tonight or tomorrow. And don’t go anywhere. How hasty of you! It’s a bit disrespectful towards me. The husband isn’t even gone, and the wife is already dating. Hold off on it.
Mike left for work, grappling with lingering doubts all day. Was he doing the right thing? Would the kids judge him? Would he end up regretting his actions? Those questions tormented him, leaving him uncertain if he was right.
To Mike, things seemed different. He would go to Natalie, but if things went awry, he could always return to Laura. Now, it seemed there wouldn’t be a return. Laura would have someone else.
Late afternoon, Natalie finally called.
– Where were you? I expected you in the morning with your stuff. Why didn’t you show? I found an apartment for us in a great area. Also, we need to check out furniture at the store—I’d like your input on the bedroom set. And we have to go to the travel agency with George to sort out our Bali trip. Remember Bali, darling?
Natalie rattled on, barely pausing to let Mike reply.
– Natalie, give me a second! – he shouted.
– Yes, – she paused.
– What’s for dinner tonight? – Mike asked out of the blue.
– Dinner? Nothing… – Natalie was flustered. – I’m on a diet. You need to lose some weight too, we talked about this. But if you want, we can order something…
She continued talking, but Mike had tuned out. He knew there was a hearty meal waiting at home, a peaceful evening. Bali didn’t sound appealing after all.
There was no way he would let another man call Laura his wife. That won’t happen!
