More Equal Pt 02

More Equal Part 2

People asked why I split this into 2 small stories. Easy answer is because I could. Real answer is I wanted to build suspense. The what happens next. We've become so used to binging everything. We can now watch a whole TV series in one night. I'm old enough to remember having to wait until next week or next summer to find out what happened on a show. Heck some shows I still don't know what happened.

Will I do this again. Maybe. I'm still learning about this story telling. My English is still bad and my format frustrates some people. I can't apologize for that because you can't make everyone happy. Its easy to say I need an editor which I do. But editing is a lot harder than writing.

I had planned on writing one or two stories. But idea's keep coming and I have nothing else to do.

I hope you enjoy this story.

This is a Greenville Story

Renee's Story

Jackson was finally home. It was time for us to have a very serious talk. He needed to understand the new normal. He may get mad but he just has to understand how life will be moving forward. Not that the old normal was bad. But our situation had changed and so had the status quo.

We got married right out of college. We had dated from the middle of our junior year after meeting at a sorority mixer. I hadn't dated anyone seriously through college. I was focused on getting good grades so I could get a job. I didn't come from a lot of money. My family lived comfortably. Jackson wasn't and still isn't one of those guys that capture your attention when he enters the room. He was charming when I first met him. He was friends of a friend who introduced us. I was surprised when he asked me out but I said yes. That first date at the movies and pizza shop lead us to where we are now. I've never been happier. Life was good.

We were both working in our chosen fields. Me in accounting and him working for a local marketing company. I worked until I got pregnant with JJ three after our wedding. I loved working but we had agreed that we would have 2 kids and I would stay home with them until they both were in school. Women today may balk at that arrangement but I always wanted to be a mother. I was so happy when I found out I was pregnant. When Jackson got home I had made his favorite meal, Lasagna rolls with garlic bread. He thought he was in for a night of good loving. When I told him the news he jumped for joy and spun me around like a little kid. I had never seen a man so happy in my life.

We found out we were having a boy. Of course he was immediately named Jackson Jr. He came out looking just like Jackson, 7 pounds 5 ounces, jet black hair, brown eyes. He was a happy child. Followed 3 years later by Paula. Luckily she looked like me. Auburn curly hair and hazel eyes. I named her after my mother. She was also an easy child to raise. They are both the light of my life. JJ is a mommy's boy and Paula is a daddy's girl. We always said once we had two kids Jackson would get the snip which he did. It felt good not to worry about getting pregnant anymore.

When Paula started 1

st

Grade I went back to work. I had kept up with all my certifications while I was home. The only issue was a 10 year hole in my resume. It took me some time to find a job. After 2 months I was hired by Apex. They were a medium size firm until the owners son took over 6 months after I started. He was eager to grow the company. I had started out doing personal taxes and single employee business book keeping. It wasn't the most exciting work although it was good to be around adults all day. I had always found numbers fascinating anyway.

Three months after Larry started, he moved me to doing small business book keeping. He said he saw "something" in me. To help build business we both started going to networking functions. His father had just cruised along on his reputation for the last 10 or so years. Larry was very progressive. He said I would be one of the faces of the company. So I took it upon myself to start dressing better. Some people can tell the quality of the clothes and believe me a dress from Morgan's looks a lot better than the same dress from Sears. Little by little I upgraded my wardrobe. The next year I bought a new car. Jackson wasn't happy with it but the money came out of my check. I tried to explain to him that I had a certain image to uphold since I was meeting clients now.

You may think there is something going on between Larry and me. It's not, Larry has been nothing but professional. His main focus is growing the business. I've met his wife several times and she is a lovely woman. They are a little younger than us with 2 kids also, 2 beautiful girls. Plus I do love Jackson very much.

Owing to the fact that I was working more our sex life dwindled from 3 to 4 times a week to once a week. Jackson never complained so I figured he didn't care. Did I ever think he was getting some on the side? No, he's not built that way. He's as loyal as a well fed puppy dog. Did he think I was getting some on the side? He never mentioned anything to me, We never argued about sex. Come to think of it we never discussed it, good or bad.

He came into the family room with Paula hanging all over him. It was so adorable. She really loved her dad. I knew it would be a difficult talk. I had to bide my time so I told him to get changed and dinner was ready. We took turns cooking. I made some meatloaf with potatoes and corn.

We sat down for our usual dinner, kids telling us about their day. JJ had a big game this weekend he was excited about. If they won they would be in first place. Paula not to be topped said the cheerleaders had a new routine for the game. Jackson promised he would be there.

Jackson wasn't saying much. I could tell he was upset about something. Probably a bad day at work. He hadn't said much about his job lately. I don't know why he still works there. He could be making more money at other companies. We've had our disagreements about his lack of motivation to move up and making more money. I've been working for only 2 years and I already make almost as much as him. By next year I'll be making more than him.

Once dinner was done Jackson cleaned up and did the dishes. The kids were in their rooms doing homework or playing a video game. I sat in the family room with a glass of wine. Jackson came in with his usual Sam Adams beer. I'm glad he limits himself to one a day.

He sits down across from me and looks at me, "So, it seems like you have something you wanted to tell me."

His abruptness catches me momentarily off guard. Taking a sip of wine I find my voice. "Yes, Jackson it is. I have some issues with the way things are going right now.' Holding up my hand to stop his objection, 'Since I've been back to work I've gotten 3 raises. In that same time you haven't gotten any. I've asked and asked you about you making more money. About moving up and so far nothing. It's almost like you don't care how secure the family is. By next year this time I'll be making more than you. Larry has big plans for the company and he told me I'll play a big part in that. I need you to level up Jackson"

"Level up? You want me to level up?' he responded angrily. 'I bust my ass everyday for this family. I'm at work eating shit for this family. I took care of this family for 13 years. And guess what princess,' he rises from the love seat and starts pacing 'I'm still the one taking care of this family while you spend all your Goddamn money on clothes and jewelry and that fucking car you just had to have. I pay a big majority of the bills. What do you pay? Do you know how much the mortgage is? How about the water bill? Insurance? Level up my ass! I can't believe you have the audacity to say that to me,"

I've never seen him so mad before. For an instant I questioned my motivations. '"Jackson, you could...We could be doing so much better. If you were making more money. We could put the kids in better schools. We could have a better house. Take nice vacations. Have more in our savings account and college fund. Don't you want that?"

"Ya' know Renee.' as he looked at me with an almost evil smirk, 'I just realized its not what we should have, its about what you think we should have. That image is everything to you. Nicer cars, houses, fancy schools. It would look real nice wouldn't it? Let me ask you a couple of questions, Princess."

That was the second time he called me princess and it wasn't in a nice way.

"Are the kids unhappy? Have they ever said they don't like their schools. Are they being bullied or getting bad grades? Its all you. I've noticed your little attitude lately. How you walk around with a air of superiority. Like your better than me. The way you dress now. How you talk to me, or at me. God only knows the last time we had a conversation. You know when one person talks, the other listens and than responds to what that person said. Its you talking to me and ignoring what my feelings are."

"That's not true, we talk all the time" I quickly respond.

"Oh you do, do you? What marketing campaign am I working on now?"

I hesitate, taking another sip of wine to give me time to think. Shit, I know the answer. He's been working on it for months, at least I think he has. "Its a trucking company right. A new company in the city" I say with more confidence than I should have.

"Jesus, you don't know shit. Its a trash company who bought a roofing company. The largest trash company in the Southeast. Yeah, you really listen. We're so simpatico its sickening. This should be an easy question, when was the last time we made love?"

"Last week, is that what has your panties in a bunch? Sex, you haven't complained about it befor."

"Sex, we had sex last week. We haven't made love in months. Ever since you started your new position and seeing clients and dressing all fancy. It makes me wonder why we went from 3 to 4 times a week to once a week if I'm lucky and you seem to be going through the motions when we do have sex. I haven't mentioned it because I didn't want to know. I was afraid of the the answer. Because the wrong one would mean the end of our marriage. But now, I'm so pissed at your attitude I need answers. Are you fucking someone else, Larry or one of your clients? Because you're not fucking me!"

I almost get up to slap him. To accuse me of cheating! "No I'm not cheating. Especially with Larry let alone a client. You know Larry is happily married."

"I thought we were happily married too until tonight." he says with more sarcasm than necessary. "how about this Princess, you want to be the Queen, be the Queen. From now on you take care of a majority of the bills. I thought we were equals. Boy was I wrong. Now you can be more equal. The mortgage is due next week." he got up, got another beer and went out to the back yard.

That didn't go as expected. Well, he thinks I can't handle my end of the bills. I'll show him. I refill my glass and think about what needs to be done.

We both went to the soccer game that Saturday and JJ's team did win. To celebrate the whole team went to Cici's Pizza. Between the soccer team and cheerleaders there must have been 30 kids plus parents. The place was a mad house. Jackson and I didn't have much interaction. He sat with some of the other fathers talking sports. Mostly about how they had high hopes for East Carolina football this coming season. Especially with the new coach coming in.

I was sitting with some mothers I had became friends with during the season. It was a good time. We got home and Jackson did the yard while I started the laundry. The kids did what kids do on the weekends.

The last couple of days have been strained between us. Not much talking. Looking back we haven't had much conversation lately anyway. I was wondering if what he said was true. I do love Jackson. The years have dimmed that white hot love we had in the first couple of years. Maybe we have began to take each other for granted.

Monday morning Jackson handed me the bill for the mortgage. He didn't say a word, just put it in my hand and walked away. When I got to work I opened it up. Jesus Christ, It would take my whole check to pay. I had enough in my savings to cover it this month but I would have to do some budgeting. I went about my day. We had meetings on Mondays to get people caught up with what was going on in the company.

Larry is a great manager. He has a vision for the long term growth of the company. Since he's started we've grown 180%. We've added 12 new employees and looking to add 5 more. We're trying to land some big contracts we both have been working on. Besides taxes and bookkeeping he started doing independent auditing.

I had a busy week with 2 meetings with clients and another with my team. He hadn't said anything but I feel Larry is going to restructure the company and I could be in line for a nice promotion and raise.

My job was going great but my home life wasn't want I expected. Jackson still wasn't talking to meand when he did it was short and to the point. The only interaction we had was about the kids or when he handed me a bill to be paid. I was able to take care of the mortgage and the water bill. If this kept up I would have to budget even better. I was dipping into my savings now. I felt another conversation coming if Larry wasn't going to uphold his end of this relationship.

He still made dinner when it was his turn and cleaned the kitchen when it was mine to cook. Just like I cleaned when he cooked. I remember when we used to share those duties. We would talk about the future and what happened during our day. Even sharing gossip. We used to hang with a really good group of friends. We haven't done that in a long time. Looking back we haven't done anything without the kids in years. Did every couple go through this?

We hadn't had sex in more than 2 weeks and I was feeling amorous. After putting the kids to bed, I put on some sexy lingerie. I was laying on the bed when Jackson came into the bedroom. He stopped in the doorway when he saw me. I looked down and saw it was having the effect I wanted.

"Wow, Renee you look great! What's the special occasion? Its not my birthday, its not our anniversary. I didn't get a raise. Something special at your job?" He said with a sarcastic smile.

"Maybe I just wanted to make love to my husband. It's been a while baby."

"It has been, I didn't know if you still wanted me anymore."

"Of course I want you. You're my husband and I love you. Come to momma and let me show you how much I love you."

"I don't know Renee, I don't want to disappoint you. I don't know if I'm on your level any longer." he went into the bathroom and took a shower.

I was shocked. He never turned me down for sex. I was pissed. He's acting like a big baby. At least he didn't call me princess. He came out and put on his pajamas. He got into bed. He was laying on his back. I rolled towards him. I rubbed his chest. He always liked when I played with his nipples. He looked at me with a question.

"I need you Jackson, I want you to make love to me" Giving him my sexiest smile.

"I don't know if you'll want me after I give you my big news."

"What's that' I said eagerly. Maybe he finally got a raise.

"I quit my job" He said with a huge smile.

"Congra....wait, what, you quit your job? Why the hell would you do that?' I sit up in shock with my breast falling out of my teddy. 'How could he do that without talking to me first. Who leaves a job they have been at for more than 10 years."

"Yes, I quit my job last week as a matter of fact. I decided to go out on my own. I already have my first client. I rented office space in Middleton and even have 2 employees so far."

"Why would you do that without talking to me first? That is a major decision that impacts the whole family."

"Thank you for your support.' His sarcasm is really irritating. 'I figured my wife, who says she loves me, would be happy for me. Yes its a big change. You know no one gets rich in marketing by working. You have to be an owner and that's what I'm doing. You said you wanted more for your family, I'm giving it to you."

"Yeah but you won't be making the same money you are now for a long while. And what about benefits?

What if the kids get sick or needs braces? Jesus Jackson, do you know how bad this is?"

"It's only as bad as we let it be. Your job has benefits. Maybe not as good as my old ones but good enough in case of an emergency. As far as money goes, I signed the client I had been working on. Allied Carolina. They have 6 offices around the southeast and is growing. They have a massive marketing budget and have agreed to spend it with me. Carrie and Alonso are going to join me when they finish the campaigns they are on now. I'm in talks with several other companies who I did business in the past."

I just sit there listening to his plans and dreams. He looks so confident in what he's saying. I know he's good at what he does but he's never been an owner before. He had a passion when he first started. Maybe being his own boss will bring it back.

"Jackson, This is so much to take in. I do love you and want to support you, but this is scary."

"Is it scary because you think you will have to support the family?"

"I'm pretty sure I can keep the bills paid. I didn't realize how much everything was until you forced me to pay them. It has been eye opening. I wanted you to do and pay more. I see how much you did. I forgot what you did when the kids were babies. We never had to worry about the bills being paid."

"Renee, you don't know how many times I was worried about the bills or food. I was deathly afraid we would get a big bill if the car broke down or the house needed repair. God forbid the kids got sick. But men can't verbalize that. We keep it in so our family doesn't worry. When you said I needed to level up I was not only mad but hurt. It was like you didn't appreciate anything I had done in the past. I stayed at a job I didn't like and was beginning to hate.

I do have to thank you, your pushing me to level up fueled my anger with everything that was going on. So I made the decision to start my own firm. I asked 3 other people to join me. The only one who didn't was Sean. I don't know if you ever met him. Carrie and Alonso are coming on in the next couple of months.

I know my competition and their strengths and weaknesses. I believe 100% I will be successful. If you doubt me than I think we need to come to some type of agreement on separation."

"I don't want a separation Jackson and definitely not a divorce. I love you and always have. I might not have shown it the last couple of months. I was so focused on my job I forgot the important things.

When you said you quit your job I got scared. I know how you feel. I can pay the bills but what if, that's what I forgot, what if something happens. We were partners before, you doing your part and me doing mine. As we agreed.

"If you want to...heck, you already have started your business I'll support you like you supported us. Next time you make a life altering decision please talk to me first."

Epilogue

Jackson's business didn't take off right away. But with the reputation it got from the Allied campaign business picked up steadily. Sean Merced joined after an argument with Randy over the direction of a campaign he had been working on for months. Carrie bought several people with her when she joined a month after Jackson opened for business. Alonso soon followed.

He had to learn to solicit business which is something he never had to do. Renee gave him some pointers that helped. They even suggested customers to each other which helped both grow in their respective business.