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.

I asked with a playful

not… dignified enough.” He was never one

laugh. “Those wedding vows

was satisfying. “I never said

there anything else? I’m tired.” I

Goodbye,” he said tightly before the

the genteel husband who never raised his voice. But that

what they were given. Coldness turned them to ice. Passion set them

changed when I married Jared. The real smiles disappeared, replaced by

Wendy offered softly. “Would you care

the day I’d stop playing a role and start being

slept deeply that night until the nightmare came

experiencing the same helpless terror and crushing despair. I

with sweat.

my palms against the sink until my reflection–young,

I was

phone rang as I was having breakfast. It was from a