I quite dislike it, Mabel, and when youve got an incurable malady, perhaps solitude might soothe you?
Mabel had long diagnosed herself with a grim conditionjealousy. She claimed it untreatable and declared it to Arthur whenever he begged her not to make a fuss over trifles. Arthurs mother often warned the grandson that his wife was jealous to every postbox. Arthur never understood what postbox had to do with it, but he could not deny that Mabel was indeed overly possessive.
What did you start in the shop? Arthur asked sharply once, after they had dumped the groceries on the till and fled the supermarket because Mabel had balked at the way Arthur glanced at the cashier, sparking a scene right there.
Flushed with embarrassment, Arthur left her with the bags, yet she abandoned half the items she had chosen and chased after him.
What were you looking at? Were you undressing her in your mind? Theres nothing to look atno skin, no spark.
I dont even know what that woman looks like, I thought about the power of attorney I promised Simon today, sending him off on business while I dawdled with you among the aisles, wasting time.
Of course youll invent a thousand excuses now just to avoid admitting fault. Why didnt you drive straight from the shop to the office if it mattered so much?
Because Simon will be here soon, I had to pull a man from his post.
Male solidarity, even pulling a man from his post, just to justify yourself.
Mabel, stop feeding my jealousy in empty space, or it will lead nowhere good!
And you wont give me a reason, then I wont be jealous.
Arthur shook his head. He hadnt given her any reason; Mabel simply imagined things that werent there. Perhaps she possessed a talent for conjuring phantoms. He was growing weary of explaining. He had married Mabel in a blaze of love, but after five years of relentless tantrums, his affection was eroding. He sometimes wondered whether he had chosen the right partner; another few years and life would feel utterly unloved.
Arthur ran a modest mediaproduction firm, while Mabel worked for the city council. She had clawed her way up the ranks and clung to her prestigious post, refusing to sacrifice it. Whenever Arthur broached the subject of children, she retorted that her career took precedence. When Im settled into the new chair, perhaps well think about itprovided we hire a nanny at once.
Arthur found her attitude toward family values unsettling, yet he respected her opinion and could not rush her. He suggested she quit her job more than once, but quickly realized it was futile; she wasnt after money but prestige, eager to climb higher.
Soon Simon, Arthurs assistant, arrived and they discussed a few matters. As Arthur walked him to the door, offering a parting lecture, Simon asked:
Whats wrong with Mabel this time? Has she been irritated?
Same as always, Arthur shrugged jealousy clouds the peace.
Jealousy means love, Simon laughed I sometimes wonder whether my own wife, Natalie, loves me. Ive never staged a jealous scene, even when I flirted with her friend, yet she remains calm.
Good luck, Arthur shook Simons hand as he left.
That evening Arthur sat at his computer, emailing a client in a different time zone. When he finally closed the laptop and slipped into the bedroom, forgotten about the days quarrel, he lay down and tried to embrace Mabel. She jerked his arm away as if waiting for that exact moment.
Go hug the cashier! Mabel snapped, and Arthur could take no more.
He leapt from the bed, snatched the blanket and pillow, and stormed toward the door. At the threshold he turned and bellowed:
Ill spend the night in the office. If you dont calm down, I wont even come home tomorrow. Im fed up!
In the morning Mabel woke him with a gentle kiss and a mug of tea.
Arthur, Im sorry for yesterday. You have to understandjealousy is a disease with no cure, and a man like you cant help being envied.
I really dont like it, Mabel, and when you suffer from an incurable ailment, perhaps solitude will help you.
He spoke so seriously that Mabel paused, wondering if he might actually leave, for patience always wanes. From that day a hush settled over the house. Mabel became the placid woman he had never truly seen. Though Arthurs work often kept him late, he would inform her and return with bouquets of her favourite roses. She would have dinner ready, though she sometimes wondered why he couldnt organise his schedule better.
Happiness, Arthur felt, was fleetinglike a zebras stripes, present one moment, gone the next.
One bright morning Mabel called while he was at the office.
Arthur, are you busy?
No, whats up?
I need a lift. I have to drive to a childrens health resort out of town, but my car is in the garage. Could you take me?
No problem, Arthur agreed, pleased at the chance to escape the citys bustle.
Arriving at the resort, Arthur was struck by towering cedars lining the paths, wooden statues of fantastical characters scattered about, children strolling with parents, birds singing, the air sweet as heaven.
Go ahead and wander, Ill be back soon, Mabel said, heading toward the building.
A fouryearold girl suddenly darted at Arthur, shouting, Daddys here! Where have you been? She clutched his knees, and he stood rooted, glancing alternately at Mabel, who turned into a wooden figure, and at the mother hurrying after her child.
A young woman, flushed with embarrassment, rushed to her daughter, trying to untangle the embrace.
Sweetheart, thats not our father! she said to Arthur, apologising profusely.
Mabel then launched into a tirade:
What will you say now, love? That Mabel is once again in the wrong? Will you repeat what I remind you of?
The little girl stared, frightened, then slipped from Arthurs grasp and clung to her mother, trembling like a kitten caught in the rain.
Why is aunt shouting at dad? asked the child, as her mother crouched and whispered something, holding her tightly.
Mabel, dont yell at the child, calm yourself; youve scared her! Arthur rebuked.
Look at him! Mabel shouted, tears streaming, Hes turned on the side and I cant speak! It wont work, my love, it wont work!
Other mothers hurried their children away from the scene. The girls mother grabbed her hand, but the child refused to leave.
Let dad come with us!
Dad! Mabel spat, Why dont you go with them? Come on, forward, sing a song! Ill file for divorce and split the assets, just so you get nothing! You betrayed me.
Excuse us, the woman said to Mabel, Hes not my daughters father, it was a mistake. Please, no fighting, the children are here!
Shut your mouth, you never gave him a word, Mabel snapped, Hes still my husband by law. When he becomes yours, youll command!
The woman lifted her daughter, apologised again to Arthur, and hurried off, while the child wailed, Dad!
Mabel, calm down at once! Arthur grabbed her shoulders, looking into her eyes. The girl made a mistake, and you turned this into a nightmare. Are you sane?
Oh, I must! Im the last one left. Cant you see shes your copy? Why didnt you go to them? My connections matter, I understand! But now youll lose everything!
Mabel, youre crossing all limits. I will not justify something that isnt my fault!
A voice from behind called out, Mabel! Something happened? It was the director of the resort.
No, alls well, Mabel replied, shaking her head, and glared at Arthur. You dont need to come home, dont wait for me, Ill manage on my own, she hissed, walking away with her head held high.
Arthur scratched his head, got into his car. He finally caught up with Mabel, but she walked past without a glance and slipped into a taxi minutes later.
Right, thats it, Arthur muttered, watching a woman rush toward his cara mother of little Poppy. He stepped out to meet her, her face pale.
Im sorry again, she began, I put Poppy to bed, she was so restless I was frightened. I wanted to explain to you and your wife. You look very much like my late husband. From afar it seems you are him, but of course its an illusion. Poppy is tiny, she doesnt grasp these things. She loves her father and every night asks the fairy from the stories to bring back the dad she thinks is lost. Please tell your wife we meant no harm, I feel awkward.
I think I have no wife left, Arthur sighed sadly, wishing her luck before driving away.
He didnt want to return home. He headed to the office and stayed the night there, deciding not to split any assets with Mabel; let her have everything while he bought a fresh start, his client list ample.
The next day he rented a flat temporarily and returned home to collect his things. Mabel, surprisingly, was there, sipping whisky in broad daylight.
Want some? she offered, holding out a bottle.
Thanks, but I dont drink, even if youve forgotten, he replied.
I havent forgotten, she said, and I remember youve been feeding me lies for years. I pretended to be faithful while my daughter grew. Congratulations! The idiots dream came true.
Arthur said nothing; he no longer wanted to speak to her. Love was extinct, all feeling vanished. He quietly packed his belongings, and as he left, Mabel shouted:
Dont expect anything after the divorce. I lost my job because of you; they asked me to write a personal reference because of your daughter!
She laughed boisterously, and Arthur answered from the doorway:
Because of you, Mabel, you lost everything!
He resolved to turn the page, never to recall the brief happiness he once knew. Time was short. He filed for divorce, and when the papers arrived, he began hunting for a new home. With none of his own time to spare, he turned to a letting agency, only to see the same woman from the resort. She recognised him instantly and asked, trembling:
Did something happen? Because of that incident?
No, why would you think that?
It was noisy with the Poppy episode. The director called me in, asked what happened. I said it was a mistake. I feared you might have trouble because of it, so I came.
I came here as a professional, and that adventure doesnt bother me at all; actually it was for the best, he said, realizing his words had landed poorly, for the best, sorry. Help me find a proper house!
She smiled, asked the usual questions, took notes, and promised to call back in a few days. She handled the task with genuine professionalism. Over the weekend she phoned Arthur, offering several options, describing each in detail. By evening Arthur knew exactly which house he would buy.
Thank you, Nadia, he said, a little awkwardly, youve spent so much time on me. May I invite you to dinner, if youre not in a hurry? By the way, how is your daughter?
With my mother, Nadia replied, and I wouldnt refuse an evening meal.
After dinner Arthur drove Nadia home, and they met a few more times until the paperwork was finalised.
Thanks to you, Nadia, I now own a splendid house for a modest price. Youre now obliged to attend my housewarming, excuse my boldness, but without you the celebration wouldnt be complete.
Of course Ill come.
She visited several times after the move. Six months later, Arthur could no longer hold back and proposed to Nadia. She accepted, and little Poppy rejoiced when Arthur promised never to run away again.
