– Dave, where are you off to? – Emily poked her head out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel, surprised to see her husband.
David, a 45-year-old manager at a large construction firm, had made a decision. He packed his suitcase while his wife busied herself with breakfast in the kitchen. Now, he stood in the hallway of their spacious and cozy apartment. Emily always prepared the morning meal, ensuring the family was well-fed. She believed a hearty breakfast was not just about good health but also the foundation of a successful day. When the kids were younger, she was up before anyone else, cooking for their bustling brood. They had three kids, so Emily stayed at home to raise them. Thankfully, David’s income had always allowed them to live comfortably without Emily needing to work.
David remained silent. He looked at Emily, his wife of twenty-five years, realizing that he needed to take decisive and immediate action. Lately, she had let herself go, no longer sparking the fire in her eyes that once attracted him. David was drawn to Nellie, a young, vibrant brunette he had met at one of the company retreats. She was stunning and clever, and that struck David immediately. She was bold and determined, traits he found appealing. He saw himself in her boldness and decisiveness, and that was why he now stood in the hallway with a suitcase.
Enough is enough! Why should he stay with a woman he no longer loved, while spending his hard-earned money on her? The kids had grown up, living independently. Jack and Peter were already working, having graduated. Victoria was still in her fourth year of university, but David was always ready to help her. So, there wasn’t any issue there.
But his wife… why should she be a burden on him? Nellie echoed these sentiments. He knew she was right. David worked tirelessly, while Emily stayed at home, spending his money.
“It’s about time you left her. She’s got it easy, the loafer!” Nellie would say while embracing him. “And you should split the flat. Let her live in a one-bedroom and earn her own living.”
“Yes, Nellie, you’re right. We have nothing holding us together anymore. It’s time to make a decision.”
“Are you off somewhere, Dave?” Emily asked, surprised. “Why didn’t you tell me? I’d have made you some sandwiches. You shouldn’t just leave hungry, especially when you don’t know when you’ll be able to eat next. Off on a business trip, perhaps?”
“Why do you constantly fuss about food, huh? Sandwiches! What nonsense! Don’t you know there are places to eat at every corner nowadays? Breakfast, lunch, dinner – all easily sorted! Let me enlighten you – it’s been like this for ages! You’re always hovering over that kitchen, as if there’s nothing else in life.”
David was irked at his inability to muster the strength to boldly declare that he was leaving her for someone else.
“Did something happen? Why are you on edge, David?” Emily asked gently.
She had long suspected he had a mistress and knew he might one day leave. Perhaps today was that day. However, Emily was a wise woman and knew her husband well.
“I’m leaving you, alright? I’m fed up with this life!”
“Alright. Where to?” she responded simply, as if he’d announced it might rain.
“To another woman. She’s nothing like you – beautiful and smart! She doesn’t spend all day in the kitchen! She has plenty of other interesting and important things going on.”
“Oh, you found such a woman? Congratulations, David.”
“Yes, why not? Am I not deserving of someone like that?” David couldn’t believe how smoothly this challenging conversation was going.
“You? You deserve that and even more, Dave.”
“Do you really think so?” David asked, distrustful.
“Yes. I do. Who knows you better than I do? You work hard, earn well, you’re intelligent, and let’s be honest, you’re handsome!”
“Well, you do understand I’ll have to split this apartment too,” David said softly, almost apologetically.
“I understand. And it’s fair. Absolutely support you on that. We’ll do it by the book,” Emily said, smiling.
“Thank you for understanding. Honestly, I thought you’d freak out. But you treated this humanely. I knew I made the right choice in marrying you,” said David proudly.
“Why make a fuss? We’ve fallen out of love. So what? Does it mean we must stay together for life? We’re not the first ones,” Emily continued.
“Well, that’s good. I’m glad you think this way. But there’s one more thing… perhaps you should find a job. I’ll stop giving you money. We’ll be legally separate, or are you planning to claim alimony? I’m warning you, you’ll lose in court. You’re a capable, healthy woman, Emily, just been at home for years.”
“At home? You see it like that? Our three kids raised themselves? Fine, I won’t argue. About the job – I won’t.
“How come? Why? How will you live? Or are you expecting the boys to help? They’ve just started working, probably struggling themselves.”
“I’m not taking money from the kids, what are you thinking?” Emily sounded almost annoyed. “I have another plan.”
“And what might that be, pray tell?”
“Are you really interested in my life once you’re gone?”
“I’m genuinely asking out of concern. We share a lot, like the kids,” David justified.
“I’ll get remarried. My husband will support me,” Emily said, waiting for his reaction.
“Remarried? You mean it?” David was taken aback.
“Exactly. Soon, I’ll be a divorced single woman. So why not remarry?”
“And what, you have candidates lined up? You think meeting a suitable husband is like grocery shopping? Especially at your age, Emily,” David skeptically examined her face and figure. “You need to be realistic about your chances.”
“Oh, that won’t be an issue, trust me!” his wife confidently replied.
“Why such confidence?” David loosened his tie. Without noticing, he had moved from the hallway to the kitchen, nibbling on fresh pancakes Emily had just made.
“Pardon my bluntness, David, but I’ll be candid with you.”
“Go ahead,” David continued eating his second pancake. “Can you pour me some tea? I’m choking here.”
“For a while, I suspected you wanted to leave me,” Emily mentioned casually while pouring his tea.
“Really? And what tipped you off?” David was curious.
“Let that be my little secret. So, back then, I thought about what awaited me. And I decided to take action.”
“Take action?” David’s surprise halted his chewing.
“Exactly. I created a profile on a dating site. You know, I was pleasantly surprised by how many men wanted to meet me.”
“Really? Since when did you get into such things? That’s a surprise from you,” David remarked dryly.
“We’re on our own now. So I thought I’d start reviewing potential suitors. It’s no easy task, even you understand that. Can’t pick wrong, else he might leave for someone younger and bolder. You know what I’m talking about.”
“And? Any candidates yet, or are you just hopeful?”
“Oh, there are plenty!” Emily smiled, both gently and slyly.
“Really? How did a woman of your age attract them?”
“Are you serious? At this age, women like me are quite sought after by discerning mature men. The young ones are fickle, always gallivanting about, looking for something. But us – we’re settled, homely, cozy, understanding what a man needs.”
“That’s nonsense! Men always gravitate toward the young,” David retorted.
“They do, I agree. But post-young fling, they seek women like us. When they read that I’m a great cook and have my own property – as we will split the apartment – there was no shortage of interest.”
David was silent, pondering Emily’s revelations. It was unsettling to think she might fare well after he left. There was a stirring within him, perhaps jealousy? He didn’t need this complication.
“So, are you leaving? I assume someone’s waiting, David. It’s not polite to keep a lady worried. And I’ve got to go too. I have a meeting scheduled today with the first prospect. I still need to freshen up. He’s been eager to meet. Since you’re going, why wait on my end?”
“You know, I remembered. I have an important meeting with suppliers today. I’ll leave the suitcase here for now. I’ll grab it later, maybe tonight or tomorrow. And you, don’t rush into anything. Eager, aren’t you! That’s somewhat disrespectful towards me. Hardly left, yet stepping out already. Hold off on that.”
David went to work, but nagging doubts troubled him all day. Was he making the right choice? Would the children judge him? Would he regret his decision? These questions plagued him, leaving him uncertain.
David had imagined this differently. He’d leave for Nellie, and if anything didn’t work out, he could always return to Emily. But now it seemed there’d be no home to return to. Emily would have another husband.
By evening, finally, Nellie got through to him.
“What’s up? I expected you this morning with your things. Why didn’t you come by? I found a wonderful flat for us in a great area. And we need to visit the furniture store, you should approve my choice for the bedroom set. Oh, and we must pop by the travel agency with Rory to finalise the Bali trip. Remember Bali, darling?”
Nellie chattered on, oblivious to whether David was responding.
“Nellie! Quiet for a moment!” David yelled.
“Yes,” she paused her monologue.
“What’s for dinner tonight?” David asked out of the blue.
“Dinner? Nothing…” Nellie hesitated. “I’m dieting. And you ought to drop some weight, we agreed. But if you want, we can order something in…”
While she continued talking, David had already tuned out. He knew there’d be a hearty dinner and a calm evening at home. Bali held no appeal for him. No other man would call his Emily his wife. That was not going to happen.
