“I want a divorce,” declared Emma.
Tom was deeply engrossed in a football match and didn’t react to his wife’s words.
Emma walked over and turned off the television.
“What are you doing?! Have you lost your mind?!” Tom yelled, then caught himself, made an effort, and replied amicably, “Sorry. It’s just that it was such an important moment.”
“I’m sure what I said is more important.”
“And what did you say?” Tom asked, confused as he realized he hadn’t really listened to his wife.
“I’m filing for divorce.”
Tom’s eyes widened. “Divorce? Why? I thought everything was fine with us.”
“You thought.”
“Wait… Yesterday we went to the theatre, the day before I brought you flowers, last week we went to the cinema. Just like you enjoy…”
“Yes, but that’s the first time you’ve done that in seven years of marriage. And I even know why.”
“And why is that?!” Tom was starting to get angry.
“Because I put the kids in nursery, got a job, started going to the gym, to beauty salons, changed my image, made new friends.”
“And what does that have to do with anything?”
“It has everything to do with it! Suddenly you saw that I’m interesting to others, that men notice me, that I no longer need you as I used to.”
“That’s nonsense…”
“No, Tom, it’s not nonsense. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been scared, wouldn’t have started hovering around me, trying to please me, giving me flowers. I won’t even mention the cinema and theatre trips. For you, it’s been quite the effort!”
“I made an effort… Wanted to do something nice… Wait, I still don’t get it: are you divorcing me because of this?”
“Yes. I don’t want to live like this anymore. You’re pretending to be a loving husband now, but where were you when I was pregnant, when I gave birth to the children, when I was up at night? You never helped me with anything! You were in our lives just symbolically. You came, ate, slept. I could count how many times you held the kids!”
“I was working!” Tom jumped up, indignant, “to provide for you!”
“You worked, I won’t argue. But you were providing for yourself too. And you had weekends, but you preferred to spend them with your friends.”
“I have the right!”
“I didn’t have weekends,” continued Emma, ignoring her husband’s comment, “even though the kids… they’re yours too. But you cared about that the least. I can still hear you saying: I gave you money, what else do you want? I wanted… I wanted a reliable, kind person by my side. Someone for support. Not only financially but emotionally. To sympathize, at the very least.”
But it wasn’t important to you. You lived your own life where there was no place for me or our children…”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m not exaggerating. Do you even know which nursery they go to? We spend about forty minutes getting there. In the morning! On public transport! And you drive to work alone in your car like a gentleman. You leave in twenty minutes. Yet you never offered to take the kids to nursery.”
“You never asked,” Tom grumbled.
“And why should I have to ask? There are some things a loving husband and father should do without needing to be asked. It’s simply expected. Not in your case, though, since there was no love. There never was…”
“You’re making me out to be a monster…”
“No, Tom, you’re not a monster. You’re just a complete stranger to me. Became a stranger… Or maybe you always were.”
“For you, maybe, but what about the kids? What will you tell them? How will you explain?”
“Oh, hold me back!” Emma laughed, “they’ve only just started recognizing you in the street! So I certainly won’t have problems with that.”
Tom couldn’t find words to respond. Emma was partly right, but he couldn’t accept it: he was the man, she was the woman, she should know her place, manage the house, and look after the children. Tom’s father always said so. And his mother agreed. But Emma was somehow dissatisfied…
“And how do you plan to live on one salary with two kids?” Tom went on the offensive, “I tell you now – I won’t give you a penny!”
“You will,” Emma replied calmly, “nobody abolished child support. And the property we acquired in seven years will be divided by the court. Although there’s not much to divide, but still. The fridge, whatever you say, is more needed by the kids and me. And knowing you, I’m sure you’ll fight for it just to hurt me. So everything – through the courts. Good thing we don’t have our own home. By the way, you can stay in this flat. I’ll find another for the kids and me.” (While saying this last part, Emma paused slightly, hoping Tom would disagree, that he’d say he’d find another flat, that his wife and children could live where they’re accustomed… But Tom said no such thing.) “… I’ve already found a suitable one near the nursery.”
“Well, off you go then!” Tom couldn’t calmly listen to Emma anymore, “I see, you’ve got it all figured out, haven’t you? Haven’t forgotten anything? What about the car? I won’t give it to you!”
“I’m not asking for it,” Emma smiled, “I don’t need it.”
“And why are you being so generous all of a sudden?!” Tom couldn’t stop, “She doesn’t need the car! Are you riding around in another one? Come on, admit it: how long have I been a fool?! You’ve become awfully brave!”
“Not surprised,” Emma was perfectly calm, “I knew I’d hear something like that.”
“Listen to me,” Tom flew towards Emma, grabbed her by the shoulders, and started shaking her, “who needs you with two kids?! Let’s forget everything you’ve said here? Let’s live together as before. I promise I’ll be better!”
“As before? No, thanks,” Emma replied firmly, “it’s not possible.”
“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, internally panicked, and suddenly as if realizing further talk was pointless, he agreed, “If that’s the case – file for divorce.”
They divorced six months later. Everything happened as Emma planned.
Now, she lives with the children close to the nursery, and her mornings on workdays are much calmer.
And on weekends – she’s a free woman! Because the ex-husband takes the kids! He shows them around the town, stays with them at his place, plays games with them. Even cooks himself!
Who can understand these men?
While married – neither the wife nor the kids are needed. Taken for granted.
Once divorced – he finds time for the kids and almost becomes the best dad in the world…
