John returned home, and without even taking off his shoes or coat, blurted out:
“Emma! We need to have a serious talk…”
He then immediately continued without pausing, eyes wide with excitement:
“I’ve fallen in love!”
“Well, here it comes,” Emma thought to herself. “Midlife crisis has finally reached our doorstep. Hello there…” Despite these thoughts, she said nothing and just looked at her husband with a concentration she hadn’t given him in years—how many years had it been exactly? Six or seven? Maybe even eight?
They say your whole life flashes before your eyes before you die, and similarly, Emma found herself replaying their entire life together. They had met quite casually online. Emma had shaved off a few years from her age, while her future husband added a couple of inches to his height. Despite these little fabrications, they managed to fit each other’s search criteria and found each other. Emma couldn’t recall who messaged first, but she distinctly remembered her future husband’s message was charmingly self-deprecating without a hint of rudeness, which she appreciated. At thirty-three, with average looks, she was realistic about her prospects in the dating market and knew she was at the back, if not the very end, of the line. So she decided to approach their first meeting with eagerness, an open mind, rose-tinted glasses, lace underwear, and a clutch filled with homemade cookies and a copy of Dickens.
Their first date went surprisingly smoothly (the right outfit can work wonders!). Their relationship developed quickly and passionately. They found each other fascinating, so after six months of regular meetings and persistent nudges from parents eager for grandchildren, her soon-to-be husband proposed. They quickly introduced their families, and their wish for an intimate family wedding was wholeheartedly supported by both sides. Fearing a change of heart, they chose the first available date for their marriage ceremony.
For Emma, their life together seemed good. Their family dynamic felt warm and steady, without any explosive drama, but full of mutual respect and affection. John, a straightforward and honest man, shed his “gentlemanly romantic” persona just weeks after the wedding. In reality, he was a simple, hard-working, and caring guy who felt most at home in his comfy sweatpants.
Emma, on the other hand, gradually peeled away her perfect housewife intellectual façade. Her swift pregnancy hastened this transition, and within a year, she, too, happily discarded her old image and embraced the comforts of a cozy robe.
The fact that neither of them ran away from the relationship or had complaints about their truer selves reassured Emma of their solid bond and the right choice she’d made long ago. Daily life and raising two children, born close together, did rock their boat at times, but they never sank. Once the storms passed, they continued to sail through their family life calmly. Grateful grandparents supported them in every way possible. At work, they slowly but surely climbed the career ladder, not forgetting to travel, enjoy their hobbies, and, of course, focus on each other—all while remaining within a comfortable average life.
They had been married for twelve years, and in all those years, John had never been caught in any infidelity or even minor flirtations with anyone else. Emma, who wasn’t the jealous type, might have let him get away with a harmless flirt, but he never indulged. She imagined him flirting, and couldn’t help but smile at the funny image in her mind. Early on, after a few failed attempts at traditional compliments, John had realized it wasn’t his strong suit and opted for a silent, wide-eyed admiration instead.
Over the years, Emma learned to read the nuances in John’s wide eyes—ranging from wild admiration to slight confusion. Now, she imagined him expressing admiration to a creature with those eyes growing wider and wider. Her throat was dry, and with a nervous smile, she croaked,
“So, what’s the name of your sweetheart?”
John’s eyes nearly bulged in shock as he stammered,
“What? How did you guess I fell in love with a rat?! Honestly, you amaze me… I couldn’t help myself when I saw her… look at her; she’s adorable, so soft and pretty… she reminds me of you…”
He pulled out a small gray rat with pink ears, a pink nose, and beady black eyes from inside his coat.
Emma heard no more. She simply admired her husband, his new little friend, and their mutual affection, feeling infinitely grateful and delighted that he had fallen for a rat that reminded him so much of herself.
