“Where are you off to, Ben?” Amelia peeked out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel and looking at her husband with surprise.
Ben, a 45-year-old manager at a major construction firm, had made a decision. He packed his suitcase while his wife busied herself in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for him, and now he stood in the hallway of their spacious, comfortable apartment.
Amelia always made sure to prepare meals in the morning, believing a hearty breakfast was the foundation of good health and a successful day. While their kids were young, she rose before everyone to cater to the noisy brood. They had three children, so Amelia didn’t work outside the home, choosing to focus on raising them. Fortunately, Ben’s income was always enough to ensure a comfortable life without needing Amelia to contribute financially.
Ben was silent, observing Amelia, with whom he’d spent twenty-five years, realizing he was right—it was time to act decisively. His wife had let herself go; the spark that once attracted him was gone. She hadn’t enticed him for quite some time.
For Ben, there was Claire, an energetic young woman he’d met at a company retreat. Beautiful and intelligent, she caught Ben’s attention immediately. She was bold and decisive, qualities he admired greatly. He saw himself in her—bold and decisive. That’s why he stood in the hallway with his suitcase.
Enough was enough! Why should he remain with a woman he no longer loved and continue spending his hard-earned money on her? The children were grown, independent now: Oliver and Peter had jobs post-university, and though Vera was still studying, he’d always be ready to help. That part was sorted.
But his wife…? Why should she be a burden? Claire shared the same sentiment with him. And he understood—his lover was right. Ben worked hard, tirelessly, while Amelia stayed at home and spent his money.
“It’s high time you left her. She’s just lazing around, living the easy life,” Claire had said, hugging him. “You should split the house too. Let her stay in a one-bedroom apartment and earn her living.”
“Yes, Claire, you’re right. Now, there’s nothing that binds us, so I must decide.”
“Are you going somewhere, Ben?” Amelia asked, surprised. “Why didn’t you tell me? I’d have packed you some sandwiches. One shouldn’t leave hungry, especially when you don’t know when you’ll eat next. Off on a business trip, perhaps?”
“Why do you always fuss over food? Sandwiches! Ridiculous! Don’t you know there are ample places out there where you can get a decent breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Let me enlighten you—you can! You’re always lingering in the kitchen as if nothing else in life exists.”
Ben fumed, frustrated that he couldn’t just boldly declare he was leaving her for someone else.
“Has something happened? Why are you on edge, Ben?” Amelia asked softly, kindly. She’d long suspected her husband had a lover. She figured one day he’d want to leave. Today seemed to be that day. But Amelia was wise. That was one thing. Another was she knew her husband well.
“Why? Because I’m leaving you, understand? I’ve had enough of this life!”
“Understood. And where will you go?” she asked simply, as if he’d just mentioned it was raining outside.
“To another woman. She’s nothing like you, intelligent and beautiful! She won’t just hang around the kitchen all the time! She has many other interesting and crucial things to do.”
“Oh, you’ve managed to find such a woman? Congratulations, Ben.”
“Yes, and why shouldn’t I? Don’t I deserve someone like that?” Ben was surprised at how smoothly this usually difficult conversation was going.
“You? You deserve even more, Ben.”
“Do you really think so?” Ben asked, doubtful.
“Yes. I believe so. Who knows you better than I do? You work hard, earn decently, you’re smart, and, let’s not deny it, handsome!”
“Well, you understand I’ll have to split this house too, right?” Ben said more gently, as if apologizing.
“I understand. And it’s only fair. I fully support your wish to divide the house. Everything will follow the law,” Amelia smiled.
“Well, thank you for understanding. Honestly, I thought you’d make a scene. But you reacted gracefully. I’m glad I chose you as my wife once,” he said proudly.
“Why create a scene? We fell out of love. So what? We don’t have to stay together forever. We aren’t the first ones to separate,” Amelia continued.
“Well, okay then. It’s nice you think that way. But here’s another matter… You should find a job, really. I won’t be giving you money anymore. You understand, we’ll be strangers legally. Or will you claim alimony? Well, I warn you, you’ll lose in court. You’re a capable woman, Amelia. Just stayed home all these years.”
“Stayed home? Is that what you think? Our three children just grew up by themselves? Fine, I won’t argue. As for work, I won’t bother looking for one.”
“What? Why? What will you live on? Relying on the boys? They just started working; they probably don’t have enough for themselves.”
“I won’t take money from them! What are you thinking?” Amelia laughed. “I have another plan.”
“And what would that be, might I ask?”
“Are you really interested in my personal life after you leave me?”
“I’m asking purely out of concern. We still have a lot in common, like the children.”
“I’m getting remarried. My husband will support me,” Amelia revealed, waiting for Ben’s reaction.
“Marriage? What do you mean?”
“Precisely. Soon I’ll be a divorced, single woman. So I have the right to marry again.”
“And what—there are contenders? Or do you think finding a suitable husband is like shopping? Especially at your age, Amelia.” Ben skeptically assessed his wife’s appearance. “You need to be realistic about your chances.”
“Oh, you’d be surprised! Don’t doubt it!” Amelia confidently asserted.
“And where does this confidence come from?” Ben loosened his tie. He hadn’t noticed when he moved from the hallway into the kitchen, munching on the pancakes Amelia just made.
“Sorry, Ben, let’s be candid. Honesty for honesty’s sake.”
“Go on,” Ben said, chewing his second pancake. “Pour me some tea, will you? I’m so thirsty…”
“I suspected for a while you’d want to leave me,” Amelia said casually as she poured his tea.
“Oh? And how’s that?”
“That’s my secret. So, I thought, what if it happens? Then I acted.”
“You acted?” Ben was so puzzled he stopped chewing.
“Exactly. I signed up on a dating site. You know, I was pleasantly surprised by how many men wanted to meet me.”
“Really? What drove you to such sites? I’m surprised; didn’t expect such boldness from you,” Ben replied sourly.
“Well, we’re on our own now. So I decided to start considering my options. It’s a slow process; you understand I can’t make mistakes, so an option doesn’t leave me for someone younger eventually. You know what I’m talking about.”
“And you’ve found suitable candidates? Or are you just hoping?”
“Oh yes! There are quite a few,” Amelia said softly and smiled slyly.
“Really? What possibly attracted men to someone aging like you?”
“You’ll be surprised. Women my age are popular now, sought after by wise, mature men. What do young women know? They’re flighty, unreliable, might feel betrayed any moment, always wanting something more. We, however, are settled, homey, cozy, knowing what men need.”
“That’s nonsense! Men always look for younger women,” Ben argued.
“They do—no dispute. But after those young encounters, they turn to other women. And when I mentioned I cook well and own my place, independent, non-reliant—you said we’d split the house, remember?—there was no shortage of takers!”
Ben was silent, mulling over what Amelia shared. It was uncomfortably humbling to think she’d thrive once he left. Was that jealousy stirring inside him? Damn it, just what he needed.
“So, are you leaving? I think someone’s waiting for you, Ben. It’s not polite to keep a girl waiting. And I have plans too, you know. I’m meeting the first candidate today. I must get ready. He’s been eager to meet.”
“You know, I remembered I have an important meeting with suppliers today. I’ll leave the suitcase for now. I’ll pick it up later. Maybe tonight, or tomorrow. You shouldn’t be meeting anyone. How can you be so eager! It’s rather disrespectful toward me. Hold off on that.”
Ben left for work, plagued by doubts throughout the day. Was he doing the right thing? Would his children judge him? Would he regret it deeply? He grappled with these questions, unable to discern if he was right.
Ben envisaged the scenario—leaving for Claire, only to return to Amelia if things didn’t pan out. But now, if he left, Amelia might have another husband.
Later, Claire finally called.
“What’s up? I waited for you with your belongings this morning. Why didn’t you come? I found us an apartment in a great area. We need to visit a furniture store; you need to approve the bedroom suite. Also, we must see George at the travel agency—remember the trip to Bali, darling?”
Claire chirped on without pause, not bothering if Ben listened.
“Claire! Be quiet a moment!” he shouted.
“Yes,” she paused.
“What’s for dinner?” Ben unexpectedly inquired.
“Dinner? Nothing…” Claire faltered. “I’m on a diet. You need to lose weight too; we discussed that. But if you want, we can order from a restaurant…”
She kept talking, her voice fading from Ben’s focus. He realized Amelia awaited him at home with a hearty dinner and a peaceful, spill-free evening. Bali didn’t appeal anymore.
No other man would call Amelia his wife. He couldn’t let that happen.
