Angelique

The chill in the balmy summer night had nothing to do with her sprawling homes central system. She stood rubbing her icy arms to ward off the chill as she stood watching numbly as her husband of ten years, Gordon, ambled around their master bedroom. He was bringing to life the worst of all her nightmares and fears.1

Their three children; Parker one, Morgan two, and Savannah six, lay sleeping peacefully unaware of the drama unfolding down the hall from their individual rooms.2

"How could this be?" Angelique thought anxiously to herself as she listened to Gordon with disbelieving ears. He was leaving? She just couldn't, for the life of her, make sense of his words.3

"I just can't be the husband and father you expect me to be," he started to say. "I want out and out is the way I'm taking!" He all but shouted.4

"What do you mean you want out?" Angelique stammered. "What is so bad about your life, that you are so willing to just give it all up and walk out? Our children need their father! What am I supposed to tell them, huh? Am I supposed to just go on with our lives like you never existed? You tell me Gordon, because I certainly don't know!"5

"I can't tell you what to say or do Angelique, but I know in my heart what I have to do. I have to go! I am bailing! I'm just not cut out for this monotony that you call life. This isn't living for me anymore, it's a freaking prison!"6

"Monotony?" Angelique shrilled. "Is that what you think having a family and being a loving father and husband is all about?
What are you lacking in your everyday life so badly that you are packing up your life's belongings and walking out on me and your children?"7

"Adventure. Freedom. The choice to come and go as I choose. Not having to answer to anyone's demands but my own. That's just to name a few. These things you can't give me! The kids are great and you are a fantastic woman. I will always love them and you; but like you, they are the extra strings that leave me feeling like a puppet on a string! I refuse to stay and jump when everyone says to any longer!"8

"A puppet?" Angelique exploded. "You think you're a goddamn puppet? Don't you think for even a moment that life is any easier for me. Do you hear me? My children are a handful, my job is a full time pain in the ass, and then I get to come home to take care of your needs and theirs! What about me? When do I get a break? I cook, clean this huge house you just thought you had to have, and then I go to bed just to get up and do it all over again. What have you contributed to all that we have? You get to stay at home and help raise our children. It's really not a difficult job. I'd trade you in a New York heartbeat. Please, for just a minute, think about what it is your about to do. For God's sake Gordon, think of the children at least."9

"My mind is made up, Angelique. I'm leaving tonight. If I'm not at the airport within the hour, I'll miss my flight. So I'm going to take my bags, walk down the stairs, and out the front door. There isn't any amount of begging or pleading that is going to change my mind. So stop blubbering like one of the kids and go to bed!"10

"Go to bed? Go to bed?" Angelique yelled, a little louder with each passing word. "Fine you selfish, self-centered prick! Walk out the door, but don't you think for a second, even half a second, that I'll let your absence affect our lives! You're the weakling, you ass! I'm not the one running out on my life and my family or obligations! You are!"11

"Whatever," Gordon said as he picked up his things and started to grab the keys.12

"Put them down. Not your bags, take those and get out. Put down the keys and the cell phone," she said in a terrifyingly calm voice. "My money is what bought those things and what continues to pay for them. If you take them, I will call the police and report them stolen as soon as your selfish ass hits that front door and god forbid you miss your flight!"13

"You wouldn't dare?" snarled Gordon.14

"Leave this house with my property and see what happens," she said with the same quiet calm. "You will be leaving me the same way you came to me. With nothing! Call you a cab. Now hand me the phone and the keys. You know the numbers. call if you want, but I won't be expecting to hear from you."15

"You'll be sorry for this," Gordon growled. "I won't be coming back now. I don't need you or anything you have to offer!"16

"Don't forget to leave the credit cards and checkbook on the dresser, they are in my name as well. I'll be generous and let you keep the cash you have on hand, but that's all. Your name will be removed from the checking account when you walk out so spend the money in your wallet wisely!"17

The cab's horn sounded in the drive as he deposited the contents of wallet. He picked up what was left and walked out.18

And as the sound of the departing cab faded into the distance, Angelique quietly fell apart.