Left My Wife
Can you imagine, twenty-five years together! And he just left! Thats what everyone was whispering about.
He just didnt want to work, did he? And poor her at her time of life, going to toil at the factory! Some people felt truly sorry for her.
***
Our town, honestly, is so small that everyone remembers each other since we were in nappies. Class reunions happened fairly regularly, but usually it was some casual catch-up at a café or a barbecue at someones house. This time, though, Julia, along with a few other keen women, insisted on booking an outrageously expensive restaurant.
We need to show that were doing alright too, she told me, trying to justify the extravagance.
I, Mark, had recently been out of work after leaving the plant, spending my days trying to make connections and follow up on odd jobs. The word successful made me almost laugh.
We sat tucked away in a corner booth which honestly suited me just fine. Id barely finished half a glass of wine when Mike, an old desk-mate from school, strolled over. Mike was the sort who hadnt changed a jot over the years.
Mark! Ages since I last saw you must have been last month! he grinned. Julia, youre looking lovely, as always. Treating Mark all right? Hes a hard worker, you know. So, Mark, hows things? Find something to do after leaving the plant? You two okay?
I opened my mouth, meaning to be honest. Id worked at that factory for twenty years, nearly the best welder there, earned wages that would make anyones eyes pop round here. Now I only brewed coffee for myself while searching for jobs. I was about to say,
Well, Mike, I
Julia got there first.
Oh, Mike, please! What sort of work? Julia took another sip of wine and leaned in, so everyone nearby could hear. Why should he work?
It felt like shed thrown water in my face.
What are you doing? I hissed.
Mark just doesnt want a job. You know how it is, Mike, these days, she sighed dramatically. The cleverest business going is getting your wife to keep you. No need for all that hustle. I do the work, while he puts his feet up. Mark, dont be shy admit it!
It wasnt just Mike who heard, either. Anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby caught every word.
Ah I see, Mike replied, his face full of pity. Well, sorry, Mark, Id better dash Sarahs calling me over. Good seeing you.
He made a quick and awkward escape, barely nodding to anyone else.
I turned to Julia.
What on earth did you just say?
Julia sipped her wine again.
The truth, darling. Why are you surprised?
What have you made me look like?
She glanced at me, annoyed shed had to take up work herself. What else was I supposed to say? That you just lounge at home pretending youre in demand as a handyman? Mark, youre not out working. I am. So yes, youre living off me.
For me, that was the end of the night.
Were leaving. Now.
But what about the meal? Julia protested.
What meal? Were off!
Julia, of course, didnt pass up a chance to throw a comment at a couple who happened to be nearby.
Sudden obligations! You two have fun without us!
The taxi I booked as soon as wed rushed out sped us through empty nighttime streets.
Julia, I started, while the driver was chatting on his Bluetooth, What possessed you to say that in front of everyone? Do you have any idea what youve just done?
We hadnt really settled it at the restaurant.
Ill say it again I told the truth, Mark. Maybe its better than the nonsense you spout to cover up your laziness?
Laziness? I said, turning to her. For twenty-two years I supported you! You didnt have to work a day! I kept this family going, took the kids on holidays, put them through university. What, none of that counts?
Julia noticed the taxi driver had stopped talking, probably eavesdropping, but she didnt care.
That was then, Mark. Now Im the one working, supporting us, and you dont seem in a rush to get back on your feet.
I didnt leave by choice. Im a tradesman, not a paperboy, I replied.
I was genuinely the best welder at that plant. I could weld parts others wouldnt dare touch. But the new foreman only ever shouted abuse, and I couldnt stomach it.
Whats the use, if youve no job now? was all she said.
I’ve posted adverts everywhere! I retorted.
And yet you sit at home, glued to your phone, while I slog at the factory so we can pay the bills. Spare me your stories about fancy holidays.
We drove the rest of the way in silence.
At home I walked straight past Julia, who was fussing with shopping left over from earlier, and went to the bedroom. I didnt bother changing, just lay down, staring at nothing.
A while later, the door creaked open.
Are you just going to lie there? Whos going to wash the dishes, me alone?
Im just not in the mood, Julia.
Truth hurts, doesnt it.
That was the last thing I heard before I closed my eyes, trying to drift off.
I remembered everything: sleepless nights when, much younger, I took side jobs just to save up for our house. Fixing the old car myself so I didnt have to fork out for a mechanic. How proud Julia used to be
And now, just a month without a steady wage, and suddenly Im a burden.
I moved myself into the front room, just to put some space between us.
***
By midday the next day, my phone rang.
Hello?
Hi, Im John. I saw your advert online. Are you still taking welding jobs? We need someone right away for a framework could you come over and take a look?
Yes, John, I can leave now.
After that first call, more inquiries came in. Someone recalled Id welded their gates years ago; someone else needed help with their boiler; another wanted steelwork done for a new roof.
Three weeks on, I felt like myself again. The jobs kept coming fourteen hour days, hard graft, all my own money, and a big plus no boss.
You look like you used to, Julia remarked when I came back late after another job.
Theres work, I replied flatly, pouring myself a drink.
Well, thank goodness for that, she said. So, when can I quit my job? I dont see the point slaving away now youre earning again. Once you bring in as much as you did before, Ill go back to keeping the house, like we agreed.
But Id moved on.
Julia, her name coming out strangely, Your job and whether you quit is up to you.
She didnt get it.
What do you mean by that?
I mean, I dont see any reason for you to stop working.
Mark, is this still about that night? Ive forgotten it already. Dont tell me youre sulking over something so trivial.
No, Julia. Its not trivial. You decided everything I did for us over twenty years meant nothing. Fine. Now, you keep working. Well have separate finances. My money stays with me; yours with you.
I didnt do it out of pure spite. I was just fed up. If Julia saw me as nothing, Id treat her the same.
Separate money? Are you mad? Weve been married twenty-five years!
So what? You were the one complaining about me living off you. This way, nobodys depending on anyone. If you want to quit, thats your choice.
Again, I slept in the front room. Julia didnt sleep at all. Morning came, and she packed some bagsher clothes, a few belongings, family photos. She left a note in the kitchen, slid under my ledger:
Im staying with Mum for now. You can think about your behaviour.
I didnt rush to bring her back. Your feelings dont vanish fast, but ugly words linger even longer. I spent Christmas alone. Instead of calling Julia, I worried about our daughters calls.
My eldest, Katie, rang first.
Dad, Happy New Year! How are you?
Hello, love. Im fine.
Id come over, but Ive got an exam on the 3rd. Impossible! I know things are rough between you and Mum Are you thinking of making up?
Thats what Id feared. I knew Katie, especially, would side with her mum, but I hadnt prepared for this.
Katie, honestly? I dont know. Maybe were headed for a divorce.
I waited for her to condemn me.
Dad You dont think we blame you, do you?
I was speechless for a moment.
Really?
We grew up seeing you work yourself ragged. And I heard what Mums been saying lately You do what you think is right. Well back you. We love you.
I realised then all my worries were pointless.
I cried right there on the phone. Katie, I think, did too.
Thank you
With Anna, my younger daughter, things were simpler. She was always softer.
Dad, if youre happy, well be happy. Mums stressed, but she can be a bit much too. Dont pay her too much mind.
The divorce went quickly. I let Julia keep the houseI didnt want it anymoreand moved into a flat near my workshop.
To old friends, though, I was the villain.
Can you imagine, twenty-five years of marriage! And he just left!
He didnt want to work, and she ended up at a factory at her age! Poor thing.
No one knew about Julias words. They only saw the ending and missed the whole story.
