So, Adam sent Ella a message on Friday night. Hed been waiting patiently all week for just the right moment, and decided that evening was finally it.
Ella was well used to Adam working weekends now. It was true, they’d started to see a bit more money coming in. Or at least, it was showing up in their bank account. The thing was, that money rarely ever made its way to Ella or the kids. Adam was squirreling it away for reasons unknown, just giving a vague smile if asked. Ella even wondered if he might be saving up for a holiday by the sea. Turns out, it was nothing of the sort.
Can we talk? Adam came out of the bathroom, wandered into the kitchen and settled himself into a chair.
Go on then, Ella replied, sitting across from him and resting her cheek in her hand.
Im leaving. And Im not coming back, Adam said quietly.
You working another weekend? she asked, still not getting it.
No, Ella, I’m leaving you. Ive got someone else, he blurted.
Ella was completely thrown.
Someone else! The puzzle instantly made sense. So thats where the job was, and where all the money had gone.
Ella, could you help me pack my things? You know best what I should take, Adam murmured, finishing his soup.
The cheek of it! Ella felt herself freeze. Thoughts whirled in her head. She wanted to row with him, but managed to hold back. She just sat there and ate her dinner as though nothing had happened. Over the years, whenever Adam went away, Ella always packed his bags or suitcase for him. She wanted to kick off, but kept her dignity. She stood up, legs a bit shaky, and left the kitchen.
Right, pack Ella grabbed the biggest suitcase they once took on holiday, opened it and just stopped for a moment.
Blimey, what a load of junk, she thought, and then started filling the suitcase with everything shed wanted to chuck for ages: tins of screws, Adams battered old slippers, random packets lying around untouched for years, a broken umbrella, filthy wellies, even some worn-out undies from the laundry basket (she left the new stuff though, figured the boys might need them).
It took Ella just ten minutes to sweep through their two-bedroom flat and scoop up every irritating bit of clutter connected to Adam. She got it all. The junk could barely squeeze into the massive suitcase.
But Ella managed to zip it up, putting her whole weight into it.
Still frazzled and hair all over the place, she stepped aside and let Adam head to the front door. He was full of himself, all pleased after his tasty dinner, pulled on his shoes, grabbed his coat and straightened up.
Well then, he started.
Are you going to tell the kids? Ella cut him off.
He looked a bit sheepish and muttered,
Itd be better if you told them. Im not good at goodbyes, you know. Adam grabbed the heavy suitcase, said Crikey, and walked out.
Ella closed the door behind him and finally let herself cry. Her emotions rushed out, flooding her cheeks. It felt oddly good. She walked over to the mirror. Two streaks ran down her face.
Right, need to wash all this off, she said to herself, determined, Time to start fresh. Clean slate. Happier days.
Adam tried to come back a few times later. First for clean clothes, then to reunite with the family, but Ella was having none of it. She changed the locks and filed for divorce herself.
Theres no room for rubbish in this house, she joked.
