A Lesson for a Wife
I’ve had enough! Geoffrey flung his spoon across the kitchen, his gaze fixed on his wife with simmering frustration. Was this even edible? The noodles had dissolved into a stodgy paste, accompanied by a couple of anaemic, half-cooked meatballs. What exactly have you been doing all day? Glued to that phone again?
How can you say that? wailed Harriet, theatrically pressing a handkerchief to her eyes while hurriedly tucking her mobile away behind a cushion. Ive been looking after Sebastian, actually! Hes so unrulyobviously takes after you, she added, her tone cutting, watching Geoffreys patience ebb away. Its all so hard. I can barely keep anything together since the baby was born
Sebastian is two and a half, replied Geoffrey, calm but strained, clinging to decorum. He should have gone to nursery ages ago, and youback to work. Things would be better for everyone.
Why on earth should he go to one of those germ-ridden places? Harriet snapped indignantly. You want us chained to a hospital bed, is that it?
Children need to be engaged, to develop, if you didnt know.
We do things together! Sebastians perfectly on track for his age, and the paediatrician said so herself at his check-up! Harriet stiffened, bracing for the familiar argument. It always surfaced, and she dreaded her husband actually sending their son to nursery. The thought of going back to work galled her. After her long maternal leave, shed fallen into a comfortable routine of browsing the internet for half the dayand had no intention of stopping.
And who deserves your thanks for that? Geoffrey lost his patience, rapping his knuckles on the table with such ferocity the crockery jumped. My mother! Shes the one who reads with him, plays with him. Youre always napping or scrolling through your phone. Perhaps you could put a bit of effort into cleaning or making a decent supper? Why should I come home to this? He stared in outrage at her culinary masterpiece.
Im not your cook! Nor your cleaner! Harriet tossed her head. Im your wife. And as your husband, you ought to provide me with a comfortable life!
She truly believed it, after countless hours spent watching morning chat shows and trawling through womens advice forums online. Harriet had transformed her understanding of what it meant to be a wife. Where once shed naively thought caring for her husband, keeping house, and raising children were her responsibilities, now she realisedthose were the chores of servants. And she held herself in far higher esteem than any household help.
Oh, is that so? Geoffreys jaw tensed as he listened to her impassioned declaration. I work hard every day to keep this family going, and your contribution is lounging about on the sofa, is it?
I focus on self-improvement, retorted Harriet, chin up. Youll be boasting about me to your mates soon enough’My wife knows about everything, shes so clever.’
Do you? Whats the last book you read, then? What have you learned recently? Geoffrey stood, looming over her. Well? Nothing, is it? Flicking through feeds is hardly intellectual achievement, and your daytime TV certainly wont help. Tell me seriously: are you ever going to take care of our home and son, as a proper wife should?
No! I told you already, Im not a servant
Harriet unleashed a torrent of grievances, raising her voice so the neighbours could surely hear. He earned too little, he acted like a tyrant, he was never homeon and on she went, until Geoffrey simply replied:
Divorce.
What? Harriets righteous performance stalled as she paused for another theatrical breath.
Divorce, Geoffrey repeated coldly. Ill find a proper womansomeone wholl be a good wife and a loving mother to Sebastian. You only see him for a couple of hours a day; the grannies do the rest. Youre not a mother. You havent earned the name. Nor can I call you a wife.
Harriet quailed for a momentthen waved it away. Geoffrey was just bluffing. He couldnt possibly want a divorce. Hed never get custody of Sebastian anywayshe was his mother, after all. End of story.
But things changed. Geoffrey began walking past her as if she were invisible, not even greeting her. Sebastian and his grandmother left for a fortnight by the seasideHarriet readily consented, relishing the thought of undisturbed phone time. Yet after a few days, she began to miss her son and started calling her mother-in-law more and more.
Then, two weeks after that fateful argument, a summons from the court arrived. Geoffrey had kept his word. Hed filed for divorce. At the hearing, there was one more shock: even Harriets own mother spoke up for Geoffrey.
Im certain Sebastian should stay with his father, declared Mrs. Jane Barrett, turning a stern eye on her daughter. Harriet has never shown any maternal instincts. Its all fallen to me and CarolineGeoffreys mother. Geoffrey works long hours, but always makes time for Sebastian.
The judge nodded, barely hiding a sly smile at Harriets distress. And why shouldnt she worry? She had nothing. No house, no job, no proper ties to her son. The judge seemed inclined toward the father.
I beg you! Harriet sobbed. Dont divorce us! Give me a chanceI will change, I promise! Ill throw out every foolish thought about housemaids and be a model wife. Please, Geoffrey, you must believe me!
Very well
*****************************
A month earlier.
My daughters gone completely off the rails. Im ashamed of her, tutted Mrs. Barrett, shaking her head. I do understand, Geoffreyhonestly, what good is that sort of wife? Shes at home all day, but cant be bothered to tidy or look after her son If you want a divorce, I wouldnt blame you. Just let me see Sebastian from time to time, thats all I ask.
I still love Harriet, despite her faults, Geoffrey replied with a heavy sigh. But this is getting out of hand. Still, I want to give her a chance.
And why not? In fact, I have an idea: file for divorce. Harriet will be up in arms, of course, so youll have three months for a reconciliation. Thatll give her a proper shakeup.
*****************************
Harriet learnt her lesson. Order gradually returned to their flat, the aromas of proper food filled the air, and Harriet herself became cheerful and attentive. She finally turned her gaze on little Sebastianmuch to the boys delight. He had missed his wayward mummy terribly, but was very glad to have her back at last.
