Lisa hesitantly accepts her husband’s suggestion to “reignite their relationship” by separating for a month until a neighbor’s desperate call exposes a shocking treachery. When Lisa rushes home, she finds that a woman has settled in rather nicely. Lisa is resolved to take back her life as a result of this betrayal.
I felt Derek’s suggestion that we live apart for a month in order to “reignite our relationship” was just another of those trendy things couples do when they’re having problems but don’t want to acknowledge it.
He presented it as a brilliant idea, saying it would strengthen our bond and increase our appreciation for one another.
One morning while enjoying his coffee, he smiled and said, “You’ll see.” It will be like to dating again. I’ll be missed. You will be missed. And it will feel like a new beginning at the end of the month.
The notion didn’t appeal to me. What wife would? Derek, however, was adamant. I packed my bags, moved into a short-term apartment across town, and told myself that everything would be well because he seemed so certain that this was for the best.
It was a strange and lonely first week.
Derek attributed his lack of phone calls and texts to his concentration on keeping occupied and “enjoying the space.”
I even began anticipating what he had referred to as “our big reunion, Lisa.”
I once invited Penelope, my sister, over.
She poured herself a drink of wine and said, “Are you sure about this, Lisa?” “Well, it’s a little dubious.”
I put together a charcuterie board and said, “I know.” However, Derek would go crazy if I resisted him. I therefore assumed that he needed to do it.
She replied, “Yes, I understand that.” However, there is a problem with this, sis. If I were you, I would keep a close eye on Derek.
She was right, I must say. I had the same feeling. What plausible explanation could Derek have for genuinely desiring our separation?
Then my phone rang on a calm Saturday night.
“Lisa,” Mary said in a low, anxious voice that pierced the line. “You must return home. Now. In your home, I noticed a woman. I noticed a silhouette through the glass, but my vision is limited.
I shook my head clearly and set down the knife I was using to slice vegetables.
My neighbor, Mary, didn’t have a tendency to overreact.
“What? Really?
My lungs felt as though they had been blown out.
A female? In our home?
The worst-case scenario was the first thing that came to mind:
Derek had moved in with another person. A mistress.
It might have been something else, though. Perhaps Sheila, Derek’s mother, or a break-in.
However, I quickly ruled out those possibilities. Lately, Derek had been so aloof that he hardly ever texted or called. I had a gut feeling it was adultery.
Adultery.
“Are you certain?” My voice trembled as I asked.
“Good,” Mary stated firmly. Lisa, hurry up. There’s something going on!
I didn’t pause to reflect. After snatching up my keys, I ran out the door.
I didn’t bother knocking when I got to the house. With my hands shaking, I pushed the door open as my heart was racing. My instincts seemed to take control. I dashed into my bedroom after climbing the stairs.
She was there.
Derek’s mother, not a mistress.
Sheila.
Sheila stood amid the heaps of my clothing in the center of my bedroom. She had one of my lace bras in her hands, looking disgusted, and my closet doors were thrown open.
“Why in the world are you doing this?” I startled her by shouting.
Sheila looked up, unconcerned by my indignation.
“Oh, Lisa. “You’re back early,” she remarked casually.
Like a piece of trash, she tossed the bra into the air.
“I’m tidying this house. This is inappropriate for a married woman to do.
My mouth fell open.
“Pardon me?”
She pointed to a number of trash bags lying on the ground. They were packed full of my clothing, including dresses, lingerie, and even casual attire.
These don’t represent the ideals of a good wife, Lisa. Derek asked me to assist in organizing things while you were away.
Anger boiled out inside me.
Organize my belongings? By discarding my clothing? Who granted you permission to do this?
Sheila straightened her shoulders and pursed her lips.
To be honest, Lisa, someone has to take over. Your wardrobe conveys the wrong idea, and this house is a complete disaster. Derek is worthy of better!
It felt like a slap in the face when she said that.
Sheila had never been forgiving. She was usually making fun of my cooking and making small jabs about the way I kept the house, but this?
This was boldness on a whole new level.
“Where is Derek?” With a voice trembling with rage, I demanded.
“He’s out,” Sheila said casually. I believe I’m running errands. He is aware of my presence. We both concur that this is the best option.
Which is best?
As I stood there in shock, her words replayed in my mind. Derek had not allowed this to occur. She was invited here by him.
An hour later, Derek arrived home, hammering up the stairs, while I was still standing in the bedroom, angry. Sensing that her presence would just fuel the flames, Sheila had walked to the living room.
“Lisa?” Derek said as he entered the space.
He sounded perplexed, almost irritated. “What brings you here?”
“Why am I here?” I lost my temper. “Because Mary called to inform me that a woman was going through my belongings in our room.” You can only imagine how shocked I was to learn that it was your mother!
Derek let out a sigh as though I was the one who was exaggerating the situation.
“Lisa, please relax.” Mom is only here to assist.
“Aiding?” Incredulous, I repeated.
“Yes,” he replied in an unbearably patient tone. Recently, you’ve been having trouble with—well, everything. Have you not? Only the kitchen and living room are swept by you. The house as a whole is in disarray. The bed has crumbs on it. Moreover, the refrigerator handle is constantly sticky.
Derek, that’s because you eat in bed! Rather than eating in the dining room or living room, you madly decide to eat in bed. Regarding the refrigerator, your peanut butter and jelly hands are the reason it’s sticky.
“Lisa, don’t hold me responsible for anything!” He let out a bark. “I assumed Mom could take over while we work things out.”
“As we work things out?” I said it again, raising my voice. Do you believe that’s the purpose of this break? Derek, you stated that the purpose of this separation was to rekindle our love. I’m not a broken item, so don’t bring your mother in to fix me.
Derek gave his neck a quick rub.
“Don’t twist this, Lisa. Mom offered to help because you’ve been under a lot of stress lately. That’s all. I was surprised by your response.
I laughed resentfully.
Naturally, I’m responding in this way! I wasn’t even informed. You brought your mom to live with us. Into my sleeping quarters! And let her discard my garments. What did you anticipate my response to be?
He moaned, obviously annoyed.
“You see, I didn’t anticipate this. It’s just that Mom understands what it takes to maintain a proper home, and you’ve been so overwhelmed lately. She was attempting to assist you—assist us.
I gaped at him in shock.
Do you believe that this is assisting us? You believe it is beneficial to allow your mother to intrude into my personal space, disregard my personal boundaries, and disparage my decisions? This isn’t a partnership, Derek. It’s command. Even worse is the fact that you are unable to see that.
Derek was surprised, as if he hadn’t anticipated my level of rage. I didn’t care, though. I was finished.
I packed whatever clothes Sheila hadn’t decided weren’t proper in a suitcase. I left without giving it another look.
Three days have passed since then. I’ve already been in touch with an attorney.
I may be overreacting, but to me, this went beyond the humiliation of having my mother-in-law discard my possessions or the invasion of privacy.
Derek made it very evident that he did not view me as an equal partner in our marriage.
He had no desire for a wife.
He wanted someone to maintain the 1950s style of the house, cook, and clean.
That’s not me, though.
I was unsure about Derek’s expectations when he requested a “break.” However, I will tell you what he is receiving.
a separation.
As the divorce is being finalized, I have now moved into Penelope’s flat. I’m eager to acquire half of Derek’s possessions.
He must comprehend the experience of having everything one day and then having it all taken away from you when you least expect it.
“Sis, what did you find to be the worst aspect of it all?” Penelope inquired.
I answered, “That my husband thought I was a failure.” Yes, our marriage wasn’t flawless. However, you know, we weren’t in such dire straits. And I was always loathed by Sheila. Do you recall when she came to critique my hair and makeup when we were getting ready for the wedding?
With a groan, my sister resumed preparing the pizzas we were having for supper.
She acknowledged, “I always knew Derek was the biggest mistake of your life.”
“What?” I nearly toppled a bowl of olives with my gasp.
“I apologize, Lisa,” she muttered. However, you lost interest in all of your pastimes after meeting him. My sister would paint anything she wanted, but where is she now? She only needed her paints and a canvas.
I remained silent for a while.
I said, “I didn’t realize.”
“Lisa, find her,” Penelope said. “She deserves to return.”
That’s exactly what I did. I made sure there was an extra bedroom for my art studio when I rented out a space for myself.
I was finally going to let go of Sheila and Derek and discover who I was.
