Housewife Gone Wild

Chapter 18

Hearing the men discuss their careers today, I realized with sudden clarity–I deserved that same confidence, that equal seat at the table.

Jared called again as soon as I got home. I answered while sinking into the couch.

“Why weren’t you answering your phone?” Jared’s suspicion bled through the line.

“Must’ve been on silent. What’s up?” The lie came automatically now.

“Who were you out with? Yvonne said you went out again.” He might as well have been taking attendance.

“Just some college friends,” I said lightly. “They’re all doing well here. Thought I’d reconnect before starting work.”

He seemed to turn my answer over in his head before responding. “You’ve changed lately. What’s going on?”

“Changed how?” I toyed with my hair, suddenly recalling my younger self–the one who wanted to burn bright, not fade into someone’s background.

“You’re dressing differently these days,” Jared said, proving he noticed every detail about me.

good?” I asked with

Just not… dignified enough.” He was

laugh. “Those wedding vows about

“I never said it was bad,” he finally offered after a

tired.” I

went quiet for a beat. “Fine. Goodbye,” he said

my phone with a humorless chuckle. Jared was always perfectly composed, the genteel husband who never raised his voice. But that same restraint made

always been simple–women mirrored what they were given. Coldness turned them to ice. Passion set them

always bright. That changed when I married Jared. The real

some gruel,” Wendy offered softly. “Would you care

breath. This was the day I’d stop

that night until

dream, I died again, experiencing the same helpless

with sweat.

mirror, pressing my palms against the sink

me I was

rang as I was having breakfast. It