(Continued from last issue)
David and Diane have been married for years; then there is Julie, the young secretary whose axis collides with the couple’s in ways none of them saw coming.
DIANE
“First things first; how much do you have in your account?” Tracy asked seriously, leaning across the table as she spoke.
“A couple of millions; why?”
“Seeing as this woman has gotten her claws so deeply into David, you need to ensure that you and the children are protected in case of any eventualities. I know you aren’t thinking of leaving him, and you shouldn’t, but if you ever decide that that’s what you want to do, then you need to make sure you have the means to do so.”
“Leaving would mean letting her win and I’m not about to do that, but you’re right; if I wanted to do that, I should have the money to do so, and thankfully I do. Maybe not as much as I would like to have, but enough to start off with, in any case.”
“That’s good, but don’t relax; build up that account by any means, so that you have more than you need. It’s good David is still catering for you and the kids and meeting all the bills; take advantage of that to put aside whatever you earn on the side and top it off by inflating any money you ask him for. If you need two hundred thousand for groceries, tell him you need three; if you use three hundred on the kids’ needs, tell him you use four or five; now is the time for you to be smart and watch out for you.”
“Thanks; as usual, you’re right and this time, I am going to take your advice. David might think he’s having his cake and eating it too at the moment, but he’s going to find out just how much this slice of cake is going to cost him. I’m going to build my kitty bank with his money, and we’ll see where he’s going to get the money for that whore he’s so enamored with. Once the money tap is closed, I won’t even have to waste energy fighting her, because I’m sure the only reason she wants him is his money; once that is gone, she’ll be gone too,” I answered smugly.
“There’s the smart woman I know; follow through with this plan and trust me, you’ll see your problems melt away one by one,” Tracy nodded approvingly.
Her confidence was infectious; my problems with David had almost driven me crazy, but for the first time in a long time, I was sure everything would be fine, and when all was said and done, I would emerge victorious.
DAVID
Because of Sandra’s text, when Julie finally confessed that she had something on her mind, just after we laid Junior down for the night, I privately thought I knew exactly what she was going to say.
I was, therefore, caught completely off-guard when she asked what I thought about her returning to work.
“What do you mean returning to work? Where? When? Why?” I spluttered in confusion.
“I don’t mean right away, and I don’t know where; anywhere I suppose. I just want to find something to do outside of the flat,” she explained, her tone pleading.
“Why? You always said taking care of the flat and Junior was a full-time job and that there’s always so much to do; so, why would you want to add to that?”
“I want to do more than just look after Junior and the flat! Besides, soon Junior will be starting nursery, and then I’ll just be sitting around idle!” she argued.
“That’s at least a year away, and in any case, nursery is only for a few hours a day, hours that I’m sure you can fill up with things around here; so, it’s not true that you would be idle,” I reasoned.
She did not have a comeback to that, and sighed in defeat, then turned away, but not before I saw the deep hurt and disappointment in her eyes, which only confused me more for I did not understand her sudden, almost desperate desire to return to work.
The only explanation I could come up with was the financial difficulties that Sandra had mentioned, but to believe that meant that I had to admit failure at adequately catering for Julie’s needs.
I had always believed that I was giving Julie everything she needed, and although I would never say so directly, fully providing for not just her, but our son and her family as well, made me feel like a real man; one who was needed, looked up to and appreciated in a way Diane never did.
The thought that I was anything less than that threw the entire dynamic of our relationship off kilter and was more disturbing than I could ever have imagined it being.
JULIE
I had not planned to mention my thoughts of returning to work to David, at least not until I had formulated them into something more than just an idea, but I had not been able to get Sandra’s words on the subject off my mind.
Once David and I were alone, I found myself just blurting out what I was thinking. I don’t know what reaction I was expecting, but it certainly was not his vehement and complete opposition to the mere suggestion of me returning to work.
I did not understand it, but I did not want to argue about it either, especially when he began to imply that my motivation for wanting to return to work was financial.
“Don’t I give you everything you need? Have you ever asked me for money and I said ‘no’?”
“It’s not about the money.”
“Why else do people go to work? Would you work for free?” he answered challengingly.
Rather than try to explain that there were lots of other reasons people – especially women – took on jobs outside the home, I changed the subject, nodding towards Junior who we had just set down in his crib.
“He’s asleep, we should move to the sitting room before we wake him up. Do you want a cup of tea or coffee before you leave?”
He hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. “Coffee sounds good.”
It was the way all our disagreements went; with me backing down and giving in to him, going along with whatever he said just to appease him, and diffusing every argument so as not to upset him.
At times it felt like I was walking on eggshells around him, being careful not to say or do the wrong thing, trying in every way I knew how to keep him happy. I knew all relationships took work, but sometimes it felt like this one was taking more work than most.
margaretwamanga@yahoo.com
Source: The Observer
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