“I’m filing for divorce,” Sarah announced.
Tom was engrossed in watching football at the time and didn’t respond to his wife’s words.
Sarah walked over and turned off the TV.
“What are you doing?! Are you out of your mind?!” Tom yelled and then caught himself, making an effort to speak calmly, “Sorry. It was an important moment in the game.”
“I’m sure it’s not more important than what I just said.”
“What did you say?” Tom seemed puzzled, realizing he had, once again, let her words go unheard.
“I’m filing for divorce.”
Tom’s eyes widened, “Divorce? Why? I thought we were doing well.”
“You thought.”
“Wait… Yesterday we went to the theatre, the day before I brought you flowers, and last week we went to the cinema. Exactly what you like…”
“Yes, but all this happened for the first time in seven years of marriage. And I even know why.”
“And why is that?!” Tom was starting to get angry.
“Because I enrolled the kids in preschool, got a job, started going to the gym, to the beauty salon, changed my image, and made new friends.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“It has everything to do with it! You suddenly noticed that I’m interesting to others, that men are paying attention to me, that I no longer depend on you like before.”
“That’s nonsense…”
“No, Tom, it’s not nonsense. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be scared, you wouldn’t start trying to please me, wouldn’t look at me like that, and wouldn’t bring flowers. Not to mention the cinema and theatre. That’s quite a feat for you!”
“I was trying… I wanted to make you happy… Wait, so you’ve decided on divorce because of this?”
“Yes. I don’t want to live like this anymore. Now you’re pretending to be a loving husband, but where were you when I was pregnant, when I gave birth, when I couldn’t sleep at nights? You never helped with anything! You were just a symbolic presence in our lives. You showed up, ate, and slept. I can count on one hand how many times you picked up the kids!”
“I worked, didn’t I?” Tom shot up, indignantly, “To provide for you!”
“You worked, I’ll give you that. But it wasn’t just us you provided for – it was for yourself too. And you had weekends off, but preferred to spend them with friends.”
“I have the right to!”
“I didn’t get weekends,” Sarah continued, ignoring Tom’s retort, “Even though the kids… they’re yours too. But that was never a priority for you. I can still hear your words: I gave you money, what more do you want? But what I wanted was a dependable, familiar presence by my side. Someone to support me. Not just financially, but morally too. Someone to empathize.”
But you couldn’t be bothered. You lived your own life, in which there was no room for me or our kids…
“You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m not. Do you even know which preschool they go to? It takes us forty minutes to get there. In the morning! On the bus! While you drive to work alone like a king. It takes you less than twenty minutes. Yet you never offered to drop the kids off.”
“You never asked,” Tom muttered.
“Why should I have to ask? There are things a loving husband and father should do without being asked. But clearly, that’s not your way, not where love is concerned. It never has been.”
“You’re making me out to be a monster…”
“No, Tom, you’re not a monster. You’re just completely out of touch with me. Have been for some time.”
“That’s to you, but what about the kids? What will you tell them? How will you explain it?”
“Oh, give me a break!” laughed Sarah, “They only just started recognizing you on the street! There won’t be a problem there.”
Tom couldn’t find a reply. In part, Sarah was right, but he also felt justified; he was the man, she was the woman, she should know her place, take care of the home and kids. Tom’s father always said so. And his mother agreed. But Sarah wasn’t content…
“And how are you planning to live on one salary with two children?” Tom pressed, “I’m just saying, I’m not giving you a dime!”
“You will,” Sarah responded calmly, “Child support is mandatory. And we’ll split our possession from the last seven years through the court. Although there’s not much to divide, we’ll manage. The fridge, like it or not, is more essential to us with the kids. Knowing you, I’m sure you’ll cling to it just to be spiteful. So, everything will go through the court. Fortunately, we don’t own a house. You can keep this one. I’ll find another place for the kids and me.” (While saying this last part, Sarah paused, secretly hoping Tom would disagree, saying he’d find another place instead, ensuring his family could continue living where they were used to… But Tom said no such thing.) “I’ve already found a suitable place not far from the preschool.”
“Then go on, leave!” Tom couldn’t bear to listen to Sarah any longer, “Fancy that! You’ve thought of everything?! Haven’t missed anything?! And the car? I’m not giving that to you!”
“I’m not asking for it,” smiled Sarah, “I don’t need it.”
“Why are you being so generous?!” Tom couldn’t stop himself, “Don’t need the car, huh? Already driving someone else’s, I bet?! Admit it – how long have you been cheating on me?! Gotten pretty bold, haven’t you?!”
“No surprise,” Sarah remained completely calm, “I expected to hear something like that.”
“Don’t you get it,” Tom rushed towards Sarah, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her, “Who would want you with two kids?! Let’s just forget everything you’ve said here. Let’s live together, like before. I’ll change, I promise!”
“Like before? No way,” Sarah replied firmly, “That’s not happening.”
“But why?!” Tom wasn’t just yelling, he was shouting at the top of his lungs.
“Because I don’t love you anymore…”
Tom was taken aback, panicked inside, and suddenly, as if realizing that further talk was pointless, he agreed, “If that’s the case, go ahead and file for divorce.”
They divorced six months later. Everything happened as Sarah planned.
She now lives with the children near the preschool, and her weekday mornings are much more relaxed.
On weekends, she’s completely free! All because the ex-husband takes the kids with him! He takes them around town, sits with them at home, and plays all sorts of games with them. He even cooks himself!
Who can understand these men?
While married, neither wife nor kids seem necessary. It’s all taken for granted.
Once divorced – somehow, time for the kids is found, and he almost becomes the best dad in the world.
