"Author's Note -- I had intended to rewrite my previous story 'Jane's Addiction' having taken on board some of the more constructive criticism received, such as giving more background. Instead, I wrote an entirely new story, although I've borrowed a couple of scenarios and interactions from that story to use here. I wanted to explore the emotional interaction between characters, rather than portray endless graphic sex scenes."
***
Jenny drove home from her office, not relishing what she had to do, but knowing it had to be done. Tonight, she would tell her husband she was leaving, although she wondered if he'd even notice. He hadn't really noticed her for years, and, having just turned 36, she decided enough was enough and she was wasting no more of her life in a dead marriage.
Mark had become depressed and miserable only a few years into their thirteen year marriage, then gradually became more and more withdrawn, refusing to even acknowledge there was a problem, let alone seek help. Jenny had long since given up trying, her life becoming an endless cycle of work and sleep.
Mark worked from home, which suited his 'condition' perfectly as he had no interest in friends or socializing either. He had taken up residence in another bedroom three years before, and they'd ceased to have sex two years prior to that. He barely spoke to Jenny, and she'd finally reached the end of her ability to cope. She had never been unfaithful to him, though she doubted that he'd even care if she had. She had come to think that he existed in a world entirely in his own mind. She decided to just tell him straight, bluntly and to the point. Incredibly, Mark seemed oblivious to there being any problems in their marriage.
"So, you're having an affair?" said Mark.
"No, I've never been unfaithful to you Mark, but we have no relationship, it's been dead for years!"
"A bit sudden then, if there's no one else, is it not?"
"A bit sudden?" she exclaimed, "Mark we haven't slept in the same room for three years, and we've barely had a conversation for far longer than that.!"
"You never complained before Jen, why now?"
"Because I'm suffocating here, living in this big house that we never filled with children as we'd planned!"
"You never said you were unhappy Jen."
"The fact that you haven't even noticed speaks volumes Mark!"
"Well, it sounds like your mind is made up anyway." said Mark.
"It is, there's nothing left between us Mark, you must know it."
"I never thought you were the type to give up at the first sign of trouble Jen." he said.
"Are you fucking serious Mark?" she shrieked, "Please don't tell me you meant that seriously, or I'd have to assume you've completely lost your grip on reality."
"You are the one leaving." he said.
"When did you last ask how I was Mark, or if I'd had a good day?"
"Marriages are like that Jen, happens to them all."
"That's rubbish Mark, we both know couples who've been together over 40 years who still look at each other with love in their eyes.!
"Anyway, I'm looking for a flat closer to work, so I've told you now." she said.
***
As she drove to work the following morning, Jenny was relieved that she'd told him. Nothing else worried her too much at this stage, as she had a good job and made a decent salary, so she could afford a nice flat of her own.
She arrived in the office and sat down at her desk, then realized how hungry she was. She saw her colleague Susan, and waved her across.
"You busy Suze?"
"Well, not overrun right now, why?"
"You fancy getting out for an hour?"
"Where to?"
"Just the cafe along the street, I'm starving Suze, and I could use the company."
Susan smiled curiously, and agreed to go with her. On the way, Jenny explained what had gone down at 'home' the previous evening, and that she'd gone without dinner just to avoid Mark's company.
"I couldn't even stay long enough for a coffee this morning!"
"I am sorry Jen, it's never fun when a marriage ends."
"The truth is that it's been over for years Suze, it's just taken me this long to wake up and do something."
Jenny had sacrificed her dinner last night, so this morning she was happy to sacrifice her diet, and enjoyed a full English. Susan just had a coffee and listened. They arrived back at the office an hour later, and Jenny thanked Susan for being there.
"You're welcome Jen, just keep me posted with how things go okay?"
"Thanks Suze, I will."
"Oh, if you really need an escape, you can use my spare room!" Susan added.
Jenny smiled, then entered her office, now she must work.
Meetings came and went, paperwork arrived and departed, the clock ticked ever so slowly to finish another day, another week in fact as it was Friday. Jenny suddenly realized that her job wasn't much more satisfying than her marriage. She really needed some excitement in her life. Just as she was gathering her stuff to go home, Iain, another colleague knocked and brought her some papers that needed signing.
"Sorry Jenny, but they need them first thing Monday morning."
"No worries Iain, it's just another five minutes of my exciting life I'll have to forego."
"You sound down Jenny, it's not like you."
"I'm fine Iain, just need something new in life."
"Well, you only need ask Jenny." he smiled cheekily.
"Iain, you'd run a mile if I tried to seduce you." she laughed.
"Well, I'll wait to prove you wrong Jenny."
Iain had been telling her how she needed a younger man for longer than she could remember, he of course being ten years her junior. She'd always considered his remarks to be office banter, but she now started to wonder. Maybe she should have had an affair long ago, after all, Mark wouldn't even have noticed, let alone cared.
***
Back at home, Mark had decided sarcasm was the best response to Jenny's plan to leave.
"So, you came home, didn't he want you to spend the night, or is his wife home?"
"Grow up Mark, if I'd wanted to cheat on you, I could have done it a thousand times already."
"You don't just walk out on thirteen years of marriage unless there's someone else pulling you away Jenny."
"Have you ever really thought about our relationship Mark, thought how you've treated me for years?"
"Actually no, it's how you haven't treated me because for years you haven't noticed I exist." she added.
She went upstairs to her room, notably not 'their' room like any other married couple. She looked at herself in the full-length mirror, wondering who would want her as a single, separated 36 year old. She still looked good she thought, and dressed well. She unzipped her skirt and let it drop to the floor, and unbuttoned her blouse. Now she stood in bra, panties, and tights, and she thought she still had a good figure.
She sat on her bed, and tried to remember what it was like to make love. She really couldn't remember the last time, and relieving herself with her fingers had become a habit, a function to 'scratch an itch', every bit as much as Mark had done, when he used to climb between her legs for five minutes, in order to relieve himself when they did still have sex.
She lay back and rubbed herself through her panties, wishing she had a normal marriage, and a husband who actually wanted her. She thought about Iain's banter and wondered what it would be like to kiss him, and feel his hands over her body. After a short while she felt herself getting close and slipping her bra up, she played with her nipples with her other hand. She breathed heavily, her orgasm building, then she clamped her knees together tightly, her hand feeling a trickle of her juices as she came.
She lay there for what felt like hours, then, being Friday, decided she'd ask if any of her friends from work fancied going out. She didn't want to go without dinner again, but she didn't want to spend time around Mark. She messaged a few of them, but they all had plans, then Carol text back saying she'd love a night out. They arranged to meet in town, and Jenny grabbed a quick shower, slipped into a nice summer dress, and ordered a taxi.
***
In town it was a nice evening, still warm summer weather, and not too busy yet. Carol waved at her as she approached.
"Well, you do look good Jen!"
"Thanks Carol, so do you."
"So, what's the plan then, a meal then a pub and a club?" Carol asked excitedly.
"Oh Carol, I think my clubbing days are very much behind me."
"Rubbish Jen, you're still young."
