I thought you said you have been married nine years. Why does the balloon say Happy 11th Anniversary? Eric questioned.
I handed Eric a beer and clicked the remote to find the game we wanted to watch as we got settled in the part of the basement I had set up as something of a man cave. A big screen HD TV, a fridge, some comfortable recliners and a few posters on the walls interspersed with photos of memorable vacations made a passable retreat. The remainder of the basement was the utility, storage and laundry room. When coming in I noticed Sherrie's car in the drive and assumed she was somewhere upstairs or perhaps out in the yard sunning, a recent obsession of hers.
As I settled in my chair I started to respond to Eric's question. "Well," I said, "We have been happily married nine years - the past two years haven't been too happy."
I paused and could see Eric recognized the significance of my comment. After an uncomfortably long pause he responded rather loudly.
"Ok, you have got some explaining to do. Start at the beginning and give me the whole story.I can't believe you guys are fighting. You have always gotten along so well, I know you treat her great and she looks better now than in her college pictures. What gives?"
That started a long conversation. Eric had been my best friend for 7 years but had moved to Dallas two years ago then moved back in town last week.
"Things started to change over a year ago. At first I assumed it was a normal mellowing of the relationship as we each got more involved in our careers and the kids' activities but Sherrie seemed to be increasingly indifferent to me and we spent less time together.To respond I got into a date night discipline and resolved to try a little harder to do some special things with her. She seemed to acknowledge my efforts but her appreciation seemed insincere.
After a few months passed I asked her if something was bothering her and she blew it off saying everything was fine.I asked several times over a the months with similar results.I stepped up the attention with extra nice gifts for her birthday, mom's day, Valentines and Christmas. Things didn't change and seemed to be getting worse. We weren't fighting but she was just more distant. Our sex life was similarly in decline. The frequency declined and even when we did have sex it lacked the passion I was used to. It felt like she was participating out of a sense of obligation rather than sincere interest or personal pleasure. I was wondering if she had or was falling out of love."
"I challenged her more explicitly, I made it clear how concerned I was and I suggested we might need to see a counselor. She dismissed my concerns. I was offended by how indifferent she was to my concerns. I hinted to her sister and even asked a doctor if depression could be a factor. No luck. A friend had suggested maybe she was having an affair and after ignoring that possibility for months I finally begin watching things closer. There was no obvious evidence or signs. No late nights or weekends away. No sexy lingerie hid at the bottom of the drawer, no mysterious calls or emails, so I dismissed that possibility. Then a few months ago she took a renewed interest in her appearance with a new hair style, exercise program and an obsession with keeping a perfect tan. I suspect she is in the back yard sunning now."
"I still have no evidence but to be honest, I'm losing interest in knowing the cause, the reality is that she has lost interest in me and it's just a matter of time till I get up the motivation to put an end to this relationship and move on."
"Wow." Eric said, "How come this is the first I am hearing of this. I can't believe things are so bad you are thinking of divorce. It just doesn't sound like behavior I could imagine from Sherrie. We need to get to the bottom of this. Is it possible she thinks you are having an affair?"
"Not likely. While there are several attractive women at work, and even a couple that I suspect would be interested, I haven't been the least bit interested or done anything to make her suspicious. However as things have deteriorated I could sure enjoy a romp in the sack with someone who seemed interested. I am out of town a couple of days a week so I could certainly arrange something if I wanted. Sherrie has shown no signs that she would even care based on the way she has been acting."
I nursed my beer as Eric pondered the situation.
"Why has this gone on so long?" Eric questioned.
"The kids and the hope that Sherrie was just going through a phase. I did a consult with a lawyer a while ago and I have started to get some financial things in order. For instance I now have our respective cars in our own names. But I haven't been planning to take further action until our youngest starts grade school in the fall and Sherrie could work full time. I'll confront Sherrie at least one more time before pulling the trigger on divorce."
"I still can't believe what I am hearing. What did you and Sherrie do for your anniversary - from the balloons it looks like you celebrated." Eric questioned.
"Sherrie's parents took us out, she puts on a good front on public. For our tenth I had planned a romantic four day trip to a beach resort in Mexico. I even bought her a new sexy bikini and wrapped it up with the brochures. She kept finding excuses for postponing the trip and I see she has used the suit for tanning but never going to the beach with me. One year later and I've still got a deposit down on a resort in Mexico. Maybe I'll find someone else who wants to go this winter."
"You two were always so romantic and Sherrie was so affectionate. I find it hard to imagine her being cold and indifferent to anyone say nothing of her husband."
"Well if she is affectionate now, it certainly isn't with me. She has got her figure in fantastic shape but I don't think anyone is getting to enjoy it up close. It drives me crazy as she dresses and undresses in lingerie and swimsuits but brushes off any advances. I seem to get a sympathy fuck every few weeks where she acts like a bored bitch not a loving aroused wife."
"Remember when they were doing that ice bucket challenge thing that went viral?"
Eric chimed in, "Ya, I bet Sherrie would look hot in a wet t-shirt."
"Well the water froze when it hit her."