Jen said, "Did you make the kids their breakfast? "
I replied, "Yes, darling."
Jen said, "Take notes at the Parent-teacher meeting today; I want to know why Charlie is failing in Maths?"
"Don't worry," I said as I kissed her soft, cold cheek at the door. "You look beautiful, enjoy work today. I love you."
Jen turned as she hurried out the door, "OK, well, I'll see you later."
As the door shut, I took a deep breath. Something was up with Jen of late. She has never been this distant with me; she didn't even say I love you. Anyway, why worry about nothing. She's probably stressed out at work. Jen is a doctor in one of the best medical practices in all of Seattle. She takes home 300k a year.
I met Jen while in College, she was the year below me. I was a dumb jock, and I had always gone for the blonde, bimbo cheerleader types. Jen was like the polar opposite of the cheerleader type. For one, she was brunette and wore glasses, which made her deceptively beautiful. She just exuded elegance and class. Guys didn't chase her because she didn't give off the slut vibe at all. Jen was conservative, a daughter to a republican senator. She didn't necessarily want to wait for marriage before sex, but she wanted to know it was for real, that we would be together forever before I could take her virginity.
While she didn't dress slutty like the other girls, she had the cutest body of them all. Jen was medium height, but she still had long legs. She did squats at valley-ball practice, and I used to joke that this was the cause of her perfect little ass. It was true, though; it was so pert, full, and cute. She had a flat tummy and perky small breasts too. When naked, she was stunning.
After College, things didn't go too great for me. My knee injury flared up so I couldn't go pro. My undergrad was also in business administration. It soon turned out that being a data analyst on 25k per year was the best available salary. 25k is fine, but when your wife earns 300k, it's a little embarrassing.
After my knee injury and my marriage to Jen, I must admit that I let myself go a little too. I had two boys now, though, eight and ten, so I was entitled to a Dad Bod. Jen kept herself in perfect condition. She only ate sushi and raw foods; her ass was a perky as it was in our college days.
I lost my job due to budget cuts. It was pretty demeaning. I was waking up to make breakfast for my wife so she can go out to work. I took care of all the cleaning and cooking. This arrangement went on for six months, and I must admit, I probably got too comfortable.
Then one moment, my world changed. We're having dinner, and Jen said, "Ben, I'm leaving you."
I replied calmly, not knowing the true meaning of her words, "I know, the doctor's convention is at 9 pm right. I'll drop you there this evening and pick up when you finish."
Jen replied, "No, Ben, I am leaving you for good. I've thought this through. I don't love you anymore.
"Ben, listen to me. I don't want to improve you anymore, make you better. I've gone past caring.
I pleaded, "Jen, please, don't say these things."
Jen shook her head, "Ben, I want a divorce, and I want you out of my home by the end of the weekend.
I said, "But what about our kids. They need their Dad to live here."
Jen replied, "Ben, lots of Dads, get to see their kids on Saturdays. My divorce papers are with a private courier, and they'll be with you on Monday. I think my lawyer put in something about custody, but if not, we'll sort something out."
I fell to my knees, "Jen. This cannot be happening; please reconsider."
Jen, in a cold tone, said, "Ben, my ride is here. I'll be back Sunday night, and I understand it will take a few days to sort things out, but I want you out by next Friday.
Out of desperation, I proposed a plan, "Jen, maybe this is just a mid-life crisis. Maybe it's not. Either way, I think it would be best if I stay here and look after the kids. I don't have a job to go to, and you'd have to employ a nanny who may not care as much as I would."
Jen piercing her lips, "Hmm, OK, I'll consider it. But Ben, you must understand, we are completely over. I'd be giving you a monthly salary, and we wouldn't interact that much, if at all."
I said, "I understand. I know that you need your space."
Jen said, "OK, well, your first job can be to clean out the basement. That can be your new room."
I gulped at the realization of what was happening. "Um, OK, sure that's no problem." I figured Jen would come around. I just needed to stay on the scene. I knew I could eventually make things right.
Weeks passed, and I couldn't believe the reality of my new role. All my housework is complete, and I was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. Jen was at some celebratory company dinner. I heard a noise upstairs, Jen must be back, I thought. However, this was differentβthe sound of talking continued. I wondered, "was she on the phone, what was going on?" I ran upstairs, and there's Jen with a man in a tuxedo. "Is he the chauffeur?" Jen looking embarrassed, "Ben, meet Giles, he's a surgeon and the managing partner of our practice."
This tall, handsome, WASP stereotype interjected: "Hey Ben, how are you."
Jen smirked. "Oh, how rude of me. Giles, meet Ben, he is em... Ben is my nanny".
Giles, looking perplexed, "Nanny!"
I heard of this guy before. He was Jen's boss, and he owned the whole damn consortium. I piped up, "Jen, why is this guy here, and when is he leaving."
"Giles and I are not only colleagues, but we're also friends," said Jen in an assertive tone.
I refrained from saying much more as I knew it was futile. "Oh, OK," I said in a civil tone. Giles looked at the ground, trying to pretend he was embarrassed for me. In reality, he was enjoying every moment.
Jen remarked, "Ben, it's 1.30 am, and you have to get the boys ready for school in the morning. Giles and I are just going to have a glass of wine. I think you should get some sleep."
"Yeah," I said sheepishly. I wanted to turn to dust at that moment. I forcefully lifted my knee in an attempt to walk away, fearful I may not be able to move.
I stayed up all night, peeking out of the barred window, which raised one inch above the ground. Gile's green Mercedes was parked outside. Knowing Jen, they haven't had sex yet. After all, she made me wait a year. If there was no sex, there's no loss. Jen and I could still get back together. "Yes, Yes, Yes," I screamed while covering my mouth. The Mercedes was pulling out, and I could not contain my joy. She was still mine.
It was Saturday, the boy's soccer game day. I had not seen Giles in two weeks. I doubt if he was even still on the scene. Jen and I had also been getting on much better. Last night was the breakthrough, though. When the kids went to bed, we stayed up watching friends re-runs. It was just like the old days. I came down the stairs, all excited and high on life. I knew I'd get another chance. I could feel it.
As I skipped down the stairs, I came to an abrupt, sudden stop. Giles was seated at the breakfast bar with a pretentious yellow jumper draped over his shoulders. I felt so physically sick. I didn't even acknowledge them. I ran out the door and jumped in the car, fiercely speeding out the gates. "Dad, why are you crying," said Charlie. I've just got hayfever, don't worry about me. Focus on the game; you're going to do great today.
"Dad, I forgot my knee straps. My knees swelled bad the last time," said Charlie.
"Look, I'll just have to go back and get them. I'll just leave you, boys, at the stadium, and I'll be back in twenty minutes, just before kick-off."
Driving back, I was thinking, "how can I get the straps without them seeing me." I knew the straps were in our wardrobe in my old room. I thought, "that's perfect. It's 2 pm in the day so nobody will be upstairs. I'll just go in the back door and run up without anyone noticing me. Yeah, that'll work."