We split up a month ago. Have you forgotten?
– Paul, remember today is your last day living in my house? – asked Lisa.
– Seriously? Already?
– Yes, why is that a surprise? You agreed to sort out a new place by 26th of May, and until then, you could stay here.
– Time flew by incredibly fast…
The fact was, Paul and Lisa had divorced a month back. Yet, Paul was in a tight spot with no place to live. He hadn’t managed to find suitable accommodation. Was he even trying? That’s another question entirely.
– Stop skirting around the issue. You’re leaving tomorrow!
– But where am I supposed to go?
– I don’t know. That’s your problem now.
Instantly, Paul jumped from his chair.
– How can this be, Lisa? We are family.
– We? There is no “we” anymore. We divorced a month ago. Have you forgotten?
– I told you, time really flies.
– Again… Don’t try to distract me.
In truth, Paul had nowhere else to go. He’d lost touch with most of his friends over time, and others weren’t the nicest of people.
His relatives lived out of town, and crashing at acquaintances’ places wasn’t feasible. So what now? His only hope was to convince Lisa.
While he could theoretically crash at a train station for a night, there was another reason he didn’t want to leave the apartment.
– You know, I was still holding onto hope until the last moment.
– Hope for what?
Lisa laughed aloud, which clearly offended Paul.
– Did I say something amusing?
– Isn’t it funny to you?
– Not to me.
– But it is to me. Come on, stop playing games and grow up. We’re adults, after all.
– Exactly! That’s why I want to have an adult conversation. Lisa, we broke up over something trivial.
His ex-wife raised an eyebrow in surprise.
– You think constantly lying is trivial?
– No, that’s not what I meant.
– I get it!
– No, you don’t! We acted rashly; it happens. Lisa, we can start fresh, please!
Lisa was shocked by his suggestion. Yet she couldn’t figure out if he was losing his sanity or if he truly had no place to stay.
– I’ve had enough. Pack your things. You’re leaving this flat tomorrow.
But Paul wouldn’t relent. He kept giving more and more reasons. One was outright nonsense!
– Don’t you get it? I stayed loyal to you!
– What’s that supposed to mean?
– Since our divorce, I haven’t been with anyone else.
Lisa held her head in her hands. Clearly, Paul started losing it.
– And why should I care? I honestly don’t care who you’re sleeping with!
– But I care. I can’t, Lisa, with anyone else. And now, not even with you… Because…
Lisa interrupted him.
– That’s enough, stop it.
She grabbed her coat and headed out for a walk, just to get away from Paul.
The truth was, she’d planned to leave Paul some time ago. But she postponed it, feeling guilty. They had spent 5 years together, and making such a decision wasn’t easy.
However, her ex-husband’s constant lies gnawed at her peace. He lied about his job, claiming promotions, while he remained a mere account manager with a salary of 2,000 pounds a month. This was the final straw.
Why did he lie? No one knows!
Lisa thought over it all evening. She didn’t want to go home. Instead, she stayed over at a friend’s. Of course, Paul bombarded her phone with calls, but she ignored them and certainly wasn’t going to report to him.
– I don’t get it, Lisa. Are you trying to save Paul like Mother Theresa?
– What do you mean?
– It’s about Paul. You’ve let yourself be put in this corner. Now he doesn’t want to leave.
– Yeah, I realize now it was a mistake. But I can’t just throw him out on the street…
– Yet tomorrow you’ll do just that, right?
– I will. I keep my word.
– Regret it?
– No, nothing to regret. I’m not throwing out a child, but an adult man who’s responsible for sorting his own life.
The next day, Lisa returned home but didn’t spot Paul’s suitcase at her front door.
– Still here?
– Lisa! Where were you? – Paul exclaimed.
– None of your concern.
– Did you spend the night with a man?
– I repeat: Not your business! Pack your things and get out!
Paul almost started circling her.
– Lisa, I truly can’t take this. I worried about you!
– Enough! Get out, I said.
But Paul seemed immune to her words or acted like he didn’t hear.
– I’ve stayed faithful, don’t you understand?
Lisa knew this conversation led nowhere.
– You’ve got 5 minutes. Or I’ll call the police.
Paul didn’t believe her, forcing Lisa to stick to her word. The authorities quickly escorted him and his belongings out. He had no claim to the place nor was he on the lease.
Luckily for Lisa, she inherited the flat. It was terrifying to imagine if they had co-owned it.
If that had been the case, Paul would never have left. After all, his foolproof excuse was always being her faithful ex-husband…
