The Stranger’s Wife
As soon as Jack met Alice, he realized his world would never be the same. He had never been so drawn to anyone. The trouble was, she was married. And that wasn’t all!
Jack was old mates with her husband, Tom, since their university days. Not exactly best friends, but they kept in touch, met up regularly, and attended mutual friends’ events.
In fact, it was at one such party where Tom introduced them. “This is Alice, my wife,” he said. It came as a surprise to Jack; he had no idea his mate had gotten hitched.
It turned out they hadn’t held a big celebration, just a simple ceremony at the registry office. That was Tom’s decision. He believed there was no point wasting money on festivities when they could take a trip instead. Tom was known for being tight with his money, preferring to save rather than spend.
“What about a bachelor party, the bride’s white dress, and beautiful family album photos?” Jack asked, sincerely puzzled.
“You know I don’t care for all that formality,” muttered Tom. “Besides, we can have a stag do anytime. Right, Alice?”
Alice nodded, though a flicker of displeasure crossed her face.
“Not a fan of white dresses?” Jack continued.
“I love them,” Alice replied candidly. “But Tom calls the shots. He thinks it’s all nonsense and business built on romance. Plus, he read somewhere that the bigger the wedding, the quicker the divorce.”
“Well, isn’t he a character,” laughed Jack. “And marrying without a wedding, that’s the secret to a long marriage?”
“We’ll see,” smiled Alice dreamily, as if looking into the future and seeing herself happy.
It seemed this was the moment Jack noticed her eyes. He was captivated. Completely taken.
That evening, they couldn’t stop chatting, finding many shared interests. Tom was absent half the time, dealing with work calls. Alice didn’t seem the least bit annoyed that her husband had essentially left her alone.
Jack, however, was bewildered by the situation. Coming to a party with his new wife and then occupying himself with something else? Odd.
He even asked Alice, “Tom isn’t afraid to leave you alone?”
“I don’t understand?” she asked.
“A beautiful woman, alone all evening… someone might try and whisk you away. Or isn’t he the jealous type?”
“Me?” Alice was surprised. “Oh no! Tom’s married to his work.”
“Doesn’t it upset you?”
“What?” she asked again. “That his work’s his priority? That’s normal.”
“Fancy a dance?”
“Why not?”
That night, Jack got a bit frightened. A spark had instantly formed between them.
No, it wasn’t love at first sight. It just felt like they were speaking and feeling in harmony.
Moreover, Alice was charming. She might not have been a classic beauty, but there was an indescribable mix of features that formed an irresistibly beautiful image. Jack felt like he couldn’t get enough of being around her…
Two weeks later, Tom called Jack:
“Hey, save me! Alice and I were planning to go to a concert tonight, but I’m swamped with work – the ticket’s going to waste. Can you go with her?”
“You’re joking, right? Doesn’t she have friends?”
“Surprisingly, no! She suggested you herself.”
“Where did you find such a gem?”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought they didn’t make them like that anymore: never complains, never gets upset, no friends. Does she also love cooking?”
Tom chuckled. “You just have to know the right places! I brought her from a small town. Now she’s eager for cultural life. So, can you go tonight?”
“I can go, but remember – this is the first and last time. You’re lucky I’m free.”
Jack and Alice had a wonderful time. They couldn’t stop talking again. She even convinced him to visit an exhibition next week:
“Listen, Tom’s always busy and not interested in these things. I don’t know anyone else here yet. Once I find a job, it’ll be easier with company.”
What could he do?
After the third ‘meeting’ (yes, Jack had started considering them as such), he firmly decided to avoid meeting Alice under any pretext to prevent problems. Someone else’s wife was off-limits. Period. Said and done.
Avoiding seeing her completely wasn’t possible – their circle of friends celebrated birthdays together.
At one of these parties, Alice sat next to him and asked with disarming honesty:
“Jack, are you avoiding me? Did I upset you? Say something wrong? I thought we got along really well.”
“We do. It’s just… I don’t have the time. Plus, it feels awkward. My natural modesty doesn’t allow me to entertain someone else’s wife so often.”
Alice laughed, “Tom’s all for it!”
“For what?” Tom, hearing his name, turned away from the fishing discussion with the neighbor on his right.
“For Jack to take me to exhibitions and the theatre,” Alice replied unabashedly.
“By all means!” Tom said, looking Jack straight in the eyes. “She doesn’t want to go fishing – I’ve invited her.”
Jack and Alice continued to spend time together occasionally. “Can’t we just be friends?” Jack tried to convince himself. “I’m not invading their family.” Keeping it platonic was hard, yet Tom’s trust also played its part.
Two years passed. Jack remained friends with both Alice and Tom. He attempted relationships with other women, but they never quite worked out.
One day, Alice called him, in tears, asking to meet.
It turned out that her marriage had been on the rocks for some time. Alice wanted a child, but Tom was adamant about not having any. It wasn’t even about timing; he simply didn’t want them. As a result, they had drifted apart.
“He shouted at me so much yesterday, the walls shook,” Alice lamented. “And he’s started getting jealous of me even with you. He thinks I’ll leave him for someone else. Honestly, I’m a bit scared of him.”
“Does he lay a hand on you?” Jack asked tensely.
“No, it hasn’t come to that, but he yells at me constantly. He’s drinking every night, claims it’s to relieve stress. Work’s been getting to him. I don’t know how much longer I can cope.”
Jack listened quietly, and then a daunting thought struck him: “What if Tom and Alice do part ways?” Then he could reveal his feelings.
But then Alice said, “Why are Tom and I so different, huh? How much easier it would be if I loved, say, you.”
It hit Jack hard. Instantly shattered any illusions he had. He nearly laughed. Of course, all this time he’d been thinking only about himself and his feelings. It hadn’t occurred to him that Alice didn’t reciprocate those feelings. She was just friends with him!
Once Alice calmed down, Jack promised to talk to Tom. Escorting her home, he felt relieved. Like having a bad tooth removed. Painful, but you know it’ll be better tomorrow.
The talk with Tom didn’t go well. He’d become terribly jealous of his wife.
“Stay out of it,” Tom cut him off. “And stop all these outings.”
A couple of months later, out of the blue, Jack received a message from his high school sweetheart, who had just returned from London.
They started a fervent conversation, as if a decade hadn’t passed. Jack stopped dwelling on Alice. Conveniently, they attended a friend’s birthday together. Predictably, Tom and Alice were there.
Jack didn’t stray from his companion, but it was pointless. When he attempted to kiss her while walking her home, she pulled back:
“Don’t. I saw how you looked at her. There’s something between you and Alice. You might fool others, but I’ve known you since childhood.”
He almost fell asleep when his phone rang:
“Jack, please come, help me,” Alice whispered fearfully through the phone. “Tom’s gone wild. He’s drunk, I’ve locked myself in the bathroom, and he’s threatening to break the door.”
Jack called for a taxi. He was worried Tom wouldn’t let him in and he’d have to call the police, but no such thing happened.
“The rescuer’s here,” Tom sighed venomously. And he tried to hit Jack’s face. Jack easily dodged. Fighting a drunk wasn’t appealing.
“I’ve had enough!” Tom yelled. “It’s all about Jack this, Jack that, we have so much in common… Jaaack, for crying out loud… Take her!”
Jack looked at his friend with pity. “You’re a fool. Alice never loved me.”
Tom swung his fist again…
Jack shook his head. “You should drink less. Alice will definitely leave with me tonight. Call me when you’re sober.”
In the car, he asked the shaken woman, “Do you have a place to stay?”
“Could I stay with you?”
“I don’t think that’s a great idea.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Alice sniffled. “But you’re wrong about one thing. I do love you. I feel so good with you.”
