“Jack, where are you off to?” Emma peeked out from the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel and looking at her husband with surprise.
Jack, a forty-five-year-old manager at a large construction firm, had made up his mind to act. While his wife busied herself in the kitchen preparing breakfast for him, he packed a suitcase. Now, he stood in the hallway of their comfortably large apartment.
Emma always prepared meals in the morning and fed the family. She believed that a proper, hearty breakfast was not only the key to good health but also the foundation for a successful day. When their children were young, she would always be the first up, cooking for the entire noisy gang. They had three kids, so she didn’t work, dedicating her time to raising them. Luckily, Jack’s salary had always been enough for them to live comfortably without needing her to work.
Jack was silent. Looking at Emma, with whom he had shared twenty-five years, he realized he was doing the right thing; he needed to act decisively and without delay.
Emma had changed lately, grown complacent, with no more fire or sparkle in her eyes, those traits that attract men. For that, Jack had Clara, a young, energetic brunette he met at a company retreat. She was beautiful and smart, which immediately impressed Jack. Moreover, she was bold and decisive, qualities that Jack admired in himself. Bold and decisive. And that’s why he now stood in the hallway with a suitcase.
Enough is enough! Why should he live with a woman he no longer loved and spend his hard-earned money on her? The kids were grown and living independently now. Tom and James were already working, having completed their degrees. Emily was still in her fourth year in college, but he was always ready to help her. So everything was sorted on that front.
But as for his wife… Why should she be a burden to him? That’s just what Clara said too. And he agreed; she was right. Jack worked hard, sparing no effort, yet his wife simply stayed at home, spending his money.
“It’s high time you left her. She’s just freeloading!” Clara would say, embracing him. “You need to divide the apartment. Let her live in a one-bedroom place and earn her own living.”
“Yes, Clara, you’re right. We have nothing binding us together anymore. We need to settle this.”
“Are you going somewhere, Jack?” Emma asked, surprised. “Why didn’t you warn me? I would’ve packed you some sandwiches. You can’t just rush off without eating. Especially when you don’t know when you’ll eat again. Are you going on a work trip or something?”
“Why are you always bothering me about food? Sandwiches! What nonsense! Don’t you know you can eat well almost anywhere nowadays? Let me enlighten you – it’s been like this for a while! Chicken! You always loiter in the kitchen, as if there’s nothing else in life!”
Jack was irritated with Emma, unable to muster the courage to tell her proudly and firmly that he was leaving her for someone else.
“Is something wrong, Jack? Why are you on edge?” Emma asked gently and kindly.
She had long known about his affair. Figured someday he’d want to leave. Today seemed like that day. But Emma was a wise woman. For one, she understood her husband well.
“Because! Because I’m leaving you, alright? I’ve had enough of this life!”
“Alright. Where to?” she asked simply, as though he’d just mentioned it was raining outside.
“To another woman. She’s stunning, brilliant… never like you, who’s always clinging to the kitchen. She has many interesting and important pursuits.”
“Oh, you found such a woman? Congratulations, Jack.”
“Yes, what’s it to you? Am I not worthy?” Jack couldn’t believe how surprisingly smooth this difficult conversation was turning out to be.
“You? Worthy. You deserve even more, Jack.”
“Do you honestly believe that?” Jack asked skeptically.
“Yes, I believe so. Who knows you better than I do? You work hard and earn well; you’re smart and, let’s face it, handsome!”
“Well, you understand I’ll have to split this apartment too,” Jack said more gently, almost apologetically.
“I understand. And that’s only fair. I fully support this decision. We’ll split the apartment as per the law,” Emma replied with a smile.
“Well, uh, thanks for understanding. Honestly, I thought you’d make a scene. But you’ve been decent about it. Wasn’t in vain I chose you as my wife back then,” Jack proudly declared.
“What’s the drama for? We’ve fallen out of love. So what? Must we stay together for life? We’re not the first,” Emma continued.
“Well, good. It’s nice you think that way. One more thing… You might want to find a job, you know. I won’t be supporting you financially. You must understand that legally we’ll become strangers. Or are you thinking of filing for alimony? Just to warn you, the court won’t side with you. You’re a fit, healthy woman, Emma. Just stayed home a lot of years.”
“Stayed? So that’s how you see it? Our three kids raised themselves? Well, alright, let’s not argue. As for a job, I’ll say this: I won’t be looking.”
“What? Why not? How will you live? Or do you expect our sons to help you? They’ve just started working, probably don’t have enough for themselves.”
“I’m not taking money from the kids, what are you thinking?” Emma said, sounding almost insulted. “I have another plan.”
“And what might that be, if I may ask?”
“Are you genuinely interested in my personal life after you leave me?”
“I’m asking out of compassion and concern. We share a lot, like the kids.”
“I’ll get married again. My husband will take care of me,” Emma said, waiting for Jack’s reaction.
“Married? What do you mean?” Jack was taken aback.
“Exactly that. Soon enough, I’ll be a divorced, single woman. So I’m entitled to a new marriage.”
“And are there any contenders? Do you think finding a worthy husband is like shopping? Especially at your age, Emma,” Jack skeptically observed his wife’s face and figure. “You need a realistic assessment of your chances.”
“Oh, there’ll be no problems with that! Don’t doubt it!” Emma declared confidently.
“And where does this confidence come from?” Jack loosened his necktie. Without realizing it, he had moved from the hallway to the kitchen, where he started nibbling on the fresh pancakes Emma had made.
“I’ll be frank with you, Jack. We’re being honest, right?”
“Well, go on,” Jack mumbled, finishing his second pancake. “Pour me some tea, will you? I’m choking here…”
“I’ve long suspected you’d want to leave me one day,” Emma said casually as she poured tea for Jack.
“Oh? And what gave you that idea?” Jack was surprised.
“Let that be my secret. So, I then wondered what awaited me and decided to act.”
“Act?” Jack was so surprised he stopped chewing.
“Yes. I registered on a dating site. And, you know, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of men eager to meet me.”
“Really? What drove you to those sites? I’m surprised; didn’t expect such boldness from you,” Jack said sourly.
“Well, we’re each on our own now. So, I decided to start looking for contenders early. It’s not a simple task, as you know, and it’s not quick. You can’t make a mistake with this; don’t want the chosen one to leave for someone young and bold. You know what I’m talking about.”
“And? Any candidates lined up, or are you just hoping?”
“Oh, there are quite a few!” Emma smiled gently with a sly hint.
“Seriously? What could attract them in a woman your age?”
“Are you kidding? Women of my age are top picks on those sites. Mature, wise men are looking for us. Young ones are flighty, unreliable, always wanting something more. Unlike us – we’re calm, homely, cozy, know everything, can do it all, and understand a man’s needs.”
“That’s ridiculous! Men always go for younger women,” Jack argued.
“They do, not denying it. But after the young ones, they’re drawn to entirely different women. Plus, when I mentioned I cook well and have my own place – we’ll split the apartment, you said it yourself – there was no shortage of offers!”
Jack was silent, processing what Emma shared. It was uncomfortable to realize she might do well after he’s gone. Was it jealousy stirring within him? Damn it, that’s the last thing he needed.
“So, are you leaving? I think someone’s waiting for you, Jack. It’s not nice to keep a lady anxious. Besides, I need to start getting ready too. Today’s my first date with a contender. I have to get myself spruced up. He’s been asking for a meeting. So, since you’re leaving, why should I delay, right?”
“You know, I remembered I have an important meeting with the suppliers today. I’ll leave the suitcase for now. I’ll pick it up later. Tonight. Or tomorrow. And you, don’t rush off anywhere. Look at you, so enthusiastic! It’s almost disrespectful to me. I’ve not even left, and you’re already off gallivanting. Hold off on that.”
Jack drove to work. All day, unsettling doubts bothered him. Was he doing the right thing? Would the kids resent him? Might he end up regretting this decision himself? The questions tormented him, preventing clarity on his rightness or wrongness.
In Jack’s mind, the situation was different. He would leave for Clara, but if something wasn’t right, he could always come back to Emma. But now, it seemed there would be nowhere to return to. Emma would have another husband.
Closer to the evening, Clara finally got through to him.
“What’s going on? I expected you in the morning with your things? Why didn’t you come? I’ve found a lovely apartment for us in a great area. And we need to go to the furniture store; I want your approval on the bedroom suite. Also, we should visit the travel agency to pay for the trip to Bali. Remember Bali, sweetheart?”
Clara yammered on without pause, whether Jack responded or not.
“Clara! Quiet down for a second!” he shouted.
“Yes,” she paused her verbal barrage.
“What’s for dinner tonight?” Jack suddenly asked out of nowhere.
“Dinner? Nothing…,” Clara hesitated. “I’m on a diet. You’re supposed to be losing weight too; we discussed this. Well, if you like, we can order from a restaurant…”
Clara continued talking, but Jack had already tuned out. He knew there was a hearty dinner awaiting him at home alongside a peaceful, calm evening. And he had no urge to go to Bali.
He won’t let another man call Emma his wife. Not going to happen!”
