Housewife Gone Wild

When Jared hugged me, all I could think about was how another woman had been in his arms and how her perfume still lingered on him.

My body stiffened before I could stop it. I stepped back quickly, then turned and fled to my bedroom.

Since our daughter was born, Jared and I had maintained separate bedrooms. He only visited mine when he wanted sex. Most nights, he slept alone in the guest room, leaving me the master suite to myself.

I didn’t care whether my rejection wounded him. I remained in my room until dinner called me downstairs.

Downstairs, I found Jared helping Yvonne feed her pony. When Wendy announced dinner, they washed up and took their places at the table.

“Dad,” Yvonne whined the instant she saw me, clutching Jared’s arm, “Mom hasn’t made fried meatballs in forever. Can you make her cook some now?”

Jared met my eyes. “Yvonne’s begging for your meatballs. Feel like making some?”

Wendy stood beside the dining table, her eyes darting between the spread of dishes she’d just prepared and my indifferent expression.

moving from my chair. “There’s more than enough food

won’t eat any of this,” Yvonne announced, crossing

the limited palate. I’d spent years coaxing

meal just for her. Yet here she was,

good,” Jared said, taking her side as usual. “Why

“do you have any clue how long

Wendy added helpfully. “And that’s before all

surprised. “I figured it would

Yvonne pouted. “Dad, I only want meatballs. If Mom

don’t eat.” My patience was wearing

before, so she assumed

eat something,” he said wearily. “We’ll grab burgers later if

sighing before dragging her

my meal in silence and retreated upstairs. Let them figure out their own drama–I was done