“Where are you headed, George?” Sarah called out from the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel and looking at her husband in surprise.
George, a forty-five-year-old manager at a leading construction firm, had decided to take action. He packed a suitcase while Sarah busied herself in the kitchen preparing his breakfast. Now, he stood in the hallway of their large, cozy apartment.
Sarah always prepared meals in the morning, ensuring the family was well-fed. She believed a hearty breakfast was essential not only for good health but also for starting a successful day. When their children were little, Sarah would wake up early to cook for the whole lively bunch. They had three children, so she did not work and focused on raising them. Fortunately, George’s earnings had always allowed them to live comfortably without needing her to go out to work.
George didn’t reply. He looked at Sarah, with whom he had been married for twenty-five years, realizing he needed to be decisive and immediate. Lately, Sarah had let herself go; she had lost her vitality, and there was no longer a spark in her eyes, which once attracted him. He no longer felt drawn to her as a woman.
Instead, there was Helen, a young, energetic brunette he had met at one of the company’s away days. She was beautiful and clever, which immediately struck George. She was bold and decisive too—traits he admired. He was like that himself, which is why he was now standing in the hallway with his suitcase.
Enough was enough! Why should he stay with someone he no longer loved and spend his hard-earned money on her? Their children were grown up and independent. Jack and Paul both had jobs after receiving their degrees. Lucy was still in her final year at university, but he was willing to help her anytime. So, that was all sorted.
But his wife? Why should she be a burden around his neck? Helen had made this clear to him. And he understood—his beloved was right. George worked hard without sparing himself, while Sarah stayed at home, spending his money.
“It’s high time you left her. She’s become complacent, doing nothing!” Helen said while hugging him. “And the apartment needs splitting too. She can live in a one-bedroom place and earn her keep.”
“Yes, Helen, you’re right. We have nothing binding us now. I need to make a decision.”
“Are you going somewhere, George?” Sarah asked, puzzled. “Why didn’t you tell me? I could have packed you some sandwiches. You can’t just leave on an empty stomach. You never know when you’ll get a chance to eat. Are you going on a business trip?”
“Why are you always fussing about my meals, huh? Sandwiches! Such nonsense! You do realize you can get decent meals anywhere now, right? Breakfast, lunch, even dinner? Let me enlighten you—it’s been that way for a while! You’re always stuck in the kitchen as if nothing else exists.”
George was irritable, struggling to say the crucial words—that he was leaving her for someone else.
“Is something wrong, George? You seem on edge,” Sarah asked gently.
She had long suspected he had someone else. She had guessed that one day he would want to leave. Today seemed to be that day. But Sarah was wise. Firstly, she knew her husband well.
“Oh, it’s because I’m leaving you, alright? I’ve had enough of this life!”
“I see. Where to?” Sarah asked simply, as though he’d just told her it was raining outside.
“To another woman. She’s nothing like you—she’s beautiful and clever and won’t spend all her time in the kitchen! She has lots of interesting and important things to do.”
“Oh, you found such a woman? Congratulations, George.”
“Yeah, and why shouldn’t I deserve such a woman?” George couldn’t believe how smoothly this difficult conversation was going.
“You? Of course, you deserve it. You deserve even more, George.”
“Do you really think so?” George asked doubtfully.
“Yes. I do. Who knows you better than me? You work hard, earn decently, you’re smart and, not to mention, good-looking!”
“Well, you know, I’ll have to split this apartment as well,” George said, more gently, like apologizing.
“I understand. And that’s only fair. I completely agree. We’ll split the apartment just as the law prescribes it,” Sarah said with a smile.
“Well, thank you for being so understanding. Honestly, I expected a big fuss from you. You handled it with humanity. I knew there was a reason I chose you all those years ago,” the man said proudly.
“What’s the point of making a fuss? We’ve just fallen out of love. So what? Are we supposed to live together for the rest of our lives? Who decided that? We’re not the first.”
“Well then, that’s good. It’s good you think that way. But there’s one more thing… You might want to consider getting a job or something. I’m going to stop giving you money. You must understand, legally we’ll become strangers. Or will you file for alimony? I’m warning you, you’ll lose in court. You’re an able-bodied, healthy woman, Sarah. You’ve just spent years at home.”
“Sitting at home, you say? Did our three kids raise themselves? Alright, I won’t argue. Regarding the job, here’s my stance—I won’t be looking.”
“Why not? How are you going to live? Or are you hoping the boys will help you? They’ve just started working. They’re probably struggling themselves.”
“I’m not taking money from our kids, what are you thinking?” Sarah said, a tad indignantly. “I have another option.”
“And what’s that, may I ask?”
“Do you really care about my personal life once you leave?”
“I’m just asking out of compassion and care. We do have kids, after all.”
“I’ll get married again. And my new husband will support me,” Sarah replied, watching George’s reaction.
“Married? What do you mean?” he was taken aback.
“Exactly what it sounds like. Soon, I’ll be a divorced, single woman. I’m fully entitled to remarry.”
“And you’ve got candidates, do you? Do you think finding a suitable husband is like going shopping? Especially at your age, Sarah,” he skeptically glanced at her appearance. “You need to be realistic about your chances.”
“Oh, I’m not short of offers! Don’t even doubt it!” Sarah confidently replied.
“Where does this confidence come from?” George loosened his tie, finding himself in the kitchen, unconsciously nibbling on the pancakes Sarah had made.
“Forgive me, George, but allow me to be honest with you. Tit for tat, as the saying goes.”
“Go on,” George said, finishing his second pancake. “Pour me some tea, will you? I’m choking here…”
“For a while, I suspected you wanted to leave me,” Sarah said, casually pouring him tea.
“You did? What gave you such an idea?” George was surprised.
“I’ll keep that as my secret. So, I thought—what happens to me now? And I decided to act.”
“Act?” George was puzzled enough to stop munching.
“Exactly. I signed up for a dating site. And to my pleasant surprise, there were numerous gentlemen eager to meet.”
“What led you there? Surprising! I didn’t expect such pluck from you,” George said rather flatly.
“We’re each on our own now. So, I thought I’d start looking for candidates. It’s no easy task, you know, choosing someone who won’t up and leave for someone younger and bolder. Well, you know what I mean.”
“And you have potential candidates already? Or just hoping?”
“Oh, there are plenty! Quite a few!” Sarah smiled gently yet slyly.
“Really? And an older woman like you attracted them how, exactly?”
“Are you kidding? Women my age are the most sought after on the site. Wise, mature men tend to flock to us. Young ones—they’re flighty and unreliable, always itching for something new. We are calm, homely, cozy, know everything, do everything, and understand what a man needs.”
“That’s nonsense! Men always seek younger women,” George objected.
“They do, I agree. But after them, they seek completely different women. Moreover, when I mentioned I am a great cook and have my independent living space—we’ll be splitting the apartment as you said—the potential matches were in no short supply!”
George was silent, mulling over her words. It was strangely uncomfortable knowing she’d land on her feet after he left. Some stirring emotion—a twinge of jealousy, perhaps?
“So, you’re off? I assume you’re being awaited, George. It’s not great to keep a lady anxious. Besides, I have my plans. Today, I’m meeting my first candidate. I need to get ready. I’ve been meaning to meet him for a while. Once you’re out, why delay, right?”
“You know, I remembered I have an important meeting with suppliers today. I’ll leave the suitcase for now. I’ll collect it later. This evening. Or tomorrow. And don’t go anywhere. Quite the eager beaver! It’s sort of disrespectful to me. The husband hasn’t even left, and the wife’s already off gallivanting. Hold off on that.”
George headed to work, doubts eating at him all day. Was he doing the right thing? Would the kids judge him? Would he be left regretting his choices? The questions gnawed at him, obscuring clarity.
George had envisioned a different scenario—leaving for Helen, but returning to Sarah if things didn’t work out. Yet now, returning wasn’t an option. Sarah would have another husband.
In the evening, Helen finally managed to reach him.
“What’s going on? I expected you with your things this morning. Why didn’t you come? I’ve found us a lovely apartment in a great area. We need to visit the furniture store to choose our bedroom set. Oh, and we must see Gerry at the travel bureau—our trip to Bali needs sorting. Remember Bali, dear?”
Helen went on without waiting for an answer.
“Helen! Hush for a minute!” George shouted.
“What?” she paused.
“What’s for dinner today?” George asked out of the blue.
“Dinner? Nothing… I’m dieting. You need to lose some, remember we discussed? If you want, we can order from a restaurant…”
She said more, but George tuned out. He knew a hearty dinner awaited him at home, followed by a relaxed evening. And Bali didn’t appeal in the slightest.
No other man will call his Sarah his wife. That must not happen!
