I was driving home after an afternoon with my lover. Once again, I had failed to break it off with him. The sex was so good, better than what I got at home. Not good enough to get a divorce though. Malcomb was a good husband and father for the children. It's hard to call them children anymore. They were grown up and out on their own. Next time, I'll break it off. My luck won't hold out forever.
I pulled into the driveway and noticed something wrong with the storm door. It was off its hinges. I hadn't noticed any problem when I left the house. I went in carefully, so as not to take it totally off. As I opened the door, I saw the living room. I fell to my knees in despair. The whole living room was a shambles.
My first thought was a burglary, next vandals, and finally, my husband. The look in the fireplace caused me to know it was the latter. Our wedding album and photos of me were in the fireplace either in pieces or ashes. Nothing was left on any of the walls, shelves, or coffee table. Couch cushions were strewn across the floor. A floor lamp was turned over with the shade crumpled.
I made my way through the broken glass into the kitchen - what used to be a kitchen. All tabletop appliances were on the floor along with glasses, dishes, pitchers and serving dishes. Pots and pans must have been the last thing he touched as they were on the top of the piles One thing remained unharmed. A half full bottle of bourbon and a glass that still had some unmelted ice in it.
I put a cushion on the couch and sat down to cry for my marriage. I feared it was as broken as most of the items in our house were. There was no motivation to go upstairs and see what damage had been done up there. Just then I heard Malcomb's car pull up. I began to tremble in fear for my own safety.
Malcomb walked in. "Hi Lucy. What say we go out to eat tonight?" I could smell the bourbon on his breath from several feet away.
I looked around the mess and replied, "That sounds like a good idea." He strode casually across the living room. "I'm going to change into something a bit more comfortable." He went up the stairs. I sat in a trance.
I was still in the same position when he came down. "Are you going to change?"
