– Where are you off to, John? – Louise called out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel and looking at her husband in surprise.
John, a 45-year-old manager at a large construction firm, had reached a decision. He had quietly packed his suitcase while his wife busied herself in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. Now, he stood in the hallway of their cozy, spacious home.
Louise always took charge of morning meals, believing a hearty breakfast was the key to good health and a successful day. When their children were younger, she would rise earlier than everyone else to prepare for the bustling household. With three children, she didn’t work and focused on raising them, as John’s salary comfortably supported the family without needing her to contribute financially.
John remained silent, observing Louise, with whom he’d spent 25 years of his life, and realized it was time to act decisively. Louise had changed over time, losing the spark and vibrancy in her eyes that had attracted him. She no longer drew him to her as a woman. For that, he had Nicole, a young, energetic brunette he had met at one of the company retreats. Her beauty and intelligence had immediately struck John. She was bold and determined, qualities he admired and shared. That’s why he now stood here, suitcase in hand.
It was time! Enough was enough. Why should he live with a woman he no longer loved and spend his hard-earned money on her? The children were grown and living independently. Mike and Pete had already embarked on their careers after university, while Emily was in her fourth year, but he was always willing to help her. It was all under control.
But Louise… Why should she remain reliant on him? Nicole echoed these thoughts, convincing him that he needed to break free. John’s hard work shouldn’t be funding Louise’s stay-at-home lifestyle.
– It’s high time you left her. She’s just living off you, lounging about! – Nicole would say, embracing him. – You should split the house. Let her live in a small place and earn her own living.
– Yes, Nicole, you’re right. We’re not bound by anything anymore. It’s time to decide.
– Are you going somewhere, John? – Louise asked, puzzled. – Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve packed you some sandwiches for the road. You shouldn’t leave hungry. You never know when you might get a chance to eat again. Is it for work?
– Why are you always fussing over food? Sandwiches! It’s ridiculous! Don’t you know you can have a proper meal and breakfast just about anywhere now? Let me enlighten you— it’s been possible for ages! You cling to that kitchen as if nothing else exists in life.
John was angry at his wife for preventing him from saying what he needed to. He wanted to firmly announce that he was leaving her for someone else.
– Has something happened? Why are you on edge, John? – Louise gently asked.
She had known for some time about his affair and suspected he would leave her eventually. Today seemed to be that day. But Louise was wise and knew her husband well.
– It’s because…I’m leaving you, understand? I’ve had enough of this life!
– I see. And where are you going? – she asked simply, as if he had just informed her about the weather.
– To another woman. She’s beautiful and smart! Unlike you, she won’t just hang around the kitchen. She has other fascinating and important things to do.
– Oh, you’ve found such a woman? Congratulations, John.
– Yes, why not? Don’t I deserve someone like her? – John found himself bewildered at how smoothly this difficult conversation was going for him.
– You? Of course, you deserve even more, John.
– You really think so? – John asked, dubious.
– Yes, I do. Who knows you better than I do? You work hard, earn well, and, let’s face it, you’re handsome!
– Well, you do realize I’ll have to split this house too, – he spoke more softly, almost apologetically.
– I understand. It’s only fair. I fully support your decision. We’ll split the house as the law provides, – Louise smiled.
– Well, thank you for your understanding. Honestly, I expected a scene. You surprised me. Not a bad choice marrying you back then – John announced proudly.
– Why create drama? We’ve fallen out of love, it happens. Who says we must stick together forever? We’re not the first and won’t be the last, – continued Louise.
– Right, it’s good you think this way. You might consider finding yourself a job. I’ll stop giving you money. We’ll be strangers legally. Or are you planning to ask for support? I’ll tell you now, you’d lose in court. You’re capable and healthy, Louise. You’ve just been at home for years.
– At home? Is that how you see it? Didn’t our three children grow up with my help? Fine, I won’t argue. About the job, let me say this. I’ll not look for one.
– Why not? How will you live? Do you think the kids will help? They’ve only just started working, probably aren’t earning much themselves.
– I won’t take money from our children, John. I have another plan.
– And what’s that, may I ask?
– Are you genuinely interested in my personal life once you leave?
– I’m asking out of pure curiosity and concern. We do have common bonds, our children included.
– I’ll get married. A husband will support me, – Louise revealed and waited for John’s reaction.
– Married? What do you mean? – John was taken aback.
– I’ll soon be a divorced, single woman. I have every right to remarry.
– So, there are suitors? Or do you think finding a worthy husband is like shopping? Especially at your age, Louise, – he eyed her skeptically.
– I’ll have no trouble finding someone! Don’t doubt it! – she replied confidently.
– Where does this confidence come from? – John loosened his tie. He didn’t notice moving from the hallway to the kitchen, now instinctively eating pancakes freshly made by Louise.
– Sorry, John, I’ll be blunt with you. Honest words for honest words.
– Go ahead, – John finished the second pancake. – Could you pour me some tea? I’m choking here…
– I suspected for a while that you planned to leave me, – Louise said casually as she poured his tea.
– Really? How so? – John was surprised.
– That’s my secret. I wondered what would become of me and decided I needed to take action.
– Action? – John was so surprised he stopped chewing.
– Exactly. I registered on a dating site. I was pleasantly surprised by how many men wanted to meet.
– Really? What got you into online dating? Didn’t expect such a move from you, – John said sourly.
– We’re both on our own now. I thought to start looking into potential candidates. It’s not an easy or quick task. I can’t afford to choose someone who might leave for someone young and bold. You know what I’m talking about.
– So, there are candidates or just hope?
– Oh, plenty! – Louise smiled softly and knowingly.
– What’s so appealing about an aging woman like you to them?
– What? Women my age are quite popular on these sites. Mature men find us appealing; we aren’t flighty or unpredictable. Unlike the young ones, we know what men want and deliver it.
– That’s nonsense! Men are drawn to the younger ones, – John argued.
– Sure, they are. But after getting older, they yearn for someone more settled. When I mentioned I’m a great cook and have my own place, independent of anyone—since we’ll split the house as you said—I was flooded with interests!
John said nothing, pondering what Louise had told him. It was unsettling to think she’d do well after he left. Was it jealousy? How absurd. Of all things, not that.
– So, are you going? I assume someone’s waiting for you, John. It’s rude to keep a lady anxious. Besides, I need to go too. I’m meeting a suitor later. Need to freshen up. He’s been asking to meet. With you leaving, why delay, right?
– You know, I recalled. There’s an important meeting with suppliers today. I’ll leave the suitcase for now. I’ll come back for it in the evening. Or tomorrow. Don’t go anywhere. Eager, what’s your hurry! Disrespectful towards me. The husband hadn’t even left, and the wife’s already off gallivanting. Maybe take it slow.
John went to work, plagued by doubts. Was this the right decision? Would the children judge him? Might he end up regretting this deeply? Questions haunted him, obscuring his judgment.
John envisioned things differently. He’d leave for Nicole, but if things didn’t pan out, he could always return to Louise. But this altered everything—Louise would have another husband.
Towards evening, Nicole finally reached him.
– What happened? I waited for you this morning. Why didn’t you come? I’ve found a nice place for us in a good area. We need to visit the furniture store; you should approve the bedroom set. We also need to stop by George’s travel agency to pay for our Bali trip. Remember Bali, darling?
Nicole kept talking without listening to him.
– Nicole, hang on a sec! – John raised his voice.
– Yes? – she paused.
– What’s for dinner? – he spontaneously asked.
– Dinner? Nothing…- Nicole hesitated. – I’m on a diet, and you agreed to lose some weight too. But if you like, we can order from a restaurant…
She rambled on, but John was already lost in thought. He knew a hearty meal awaited him at home along with a peaceful evening. Bali held no allure.
No other man would call his Louise wife. That couldn’t happen!
