I'm not crazy. Joseph thinks I am. He wants me to be. That way I won't question his fidelity. Every 3rd Thursday of the month his boss suddenly springs a 'business' meeting. He is gone for a total of 7 hours 46 minutes and 32 seconds. Like clockwork. One thing about good ol' Joseph A. Banks is he's predictable. He is never off schedule no matter what the schedule is. Even for his mistress. Something changed in the last few weeks. Last Thursday he cane home 8 hours later. Someone broke schedule. She's pregnant. No my problem. I hope they enjoy their little huddle of deceit. After years of trying to have a baby and three miscarriages, I had enough of him. My doctor said I could carry under a stressful environment. And then he gave me antibiotics. They dare give me an STI! The last one killed my child! I that was the last straw. He hasn't touched me since. I should never have let him.
I'm a housewife with a part-time job. Joesph knows nothing about my job. I watch a few newborns in the neighborhood as a 'favor' to the new tenants. That and my online screening job. I'm in charge of screening employee profiles for a job site. You make a profile for a job search site I'm the one reviewing your file. I get paid $20 per application review and 150 a week for babysitting. All of that money has been stored in an online banking account for the past year. I am patient and determined. My plan to leave this place has been in effect for two years. I already have a small townhouse a few states away secured. Now all that's left is to leave.
•••
"Honey! I'm home!" Mmm. Seven hours 46 minutes and 30 seconds? Someone is in a rush.
"Joseph. Welcome home." I turn in to his embrace. The last one we will have. "Something smells delicious! Is that lasagna I smell?" He lifts a pot in the kitchen stove where the meat sauce is. "Yes, it should be done in one hour." He smiles for it's his favorite dish. "Don't forget the extra cheese." He says as he walks toward the room. Soon I hear the shower run. It must be painful to wash so much in one day. No longer, Joseph, I will free you tonight.
•••
"Dinner was delicious. The best ever! Did you do something different?" Joseph asked me as I take away his plate. I set them both in the dishwasher and grab my glass of wine. "Joey." He turns his head and smiles at me. I haven't called him by that nickname since our honeymoon. Back when I was still happy. Ignorant of his lies. "Yes, sweetheart?" He asks as he stands up to follow me as I walk to the living room. I sit on the couch bottle in hand and refill my glass. "Jessica." He loses his smile with that one word. Her name. He quickly returns his smile and clears his throat. "Who is that sweetheart?" I stare at him as I take in a large gulp of my wine. "You don't have to lie anymore Joey. I know I'm not the only one." He sits there trying to decide what to do more than likely. "You don't have to worry about anything. I want a divorce." His head snaps up so fast I think it might break. "What!? Baby no please don't leave me!" I shake my head and move to stand. Walking over to the documents I have in the draw on the tv stand. "I don't want your money or anything in this house. I want a speedy process and nothing else. I never want to see you again." Handing them to him. He scrunched his face as he reads. The divorce proceedings that state he will keep all he has and the process will be within a year as long as he doesn't contact me. "But... I.." I shake my head. "I'm sleeping in the spare room. Goodnight Joseph." His eyes look empty as he watches me walk away. I get in the room and lock the door. Tears down my face. I grab the suitcase I packed earlier as I hear the door slam. A few minutes later his car pulls off. As I walk to the front door I pause putting on my coat. Looking around this place. Where I lived the past five years. Just a room and a bed it never felt like a home to me. Looking at the ring on my finger I move to take it off. Paula at the jeweler down the road had her eyes on it for a while. I think I'll stop there before I leave to my new home.
•••
3 years later
"Congrats are in order. It seems the reason for your nausea and headaches are because of this little guy or girl. Of course it too early to tell." I stare at the screen the doctor presented me. A normal check up turned into this. Since I moved away from my old life I found myself in my little townhouse in North Carolina. A year after I met Kevin. I was reluctant to date at first. With the divorce newly finalized but after six months he wore me down. I agree to one date with him and never been happier. We just had our anniversary last month and I didn't expect this surprise. I thank the doctor and leave. I call Kevin as I walk to my car. "Hello, Angel." I smile as warmth spreads through me. "Hey, baby. What are you doing tonight?"
"Nothing just hoping the love of my life will agree to move in with me." I roll my eyes. He asked me last month at our dinner I said I'll think about it. "Well if someone is going to be so persistent I might not do it." I chuckle as he groans. "I will never stop asking you so you might as well pack up now." Sitting in the car buckling up and place the phone on the hands-free device. "How about I come over tonight and we can discuss it. I have something to tell you anyway."
"Okay, Angel. I'll keep the bed warm for you." I couldn't be happier.
•••
Hey! I thought of this after watching the video for Sam Smith hit. It's only right to write something about it. lol ☺️
