Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Write in the ROMANCE genre (04/19/07)
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TITLE: An Affair to Remember | Previous Challenge Entry
By Whitnie Henderson
04/24/07 -
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This cannot go on. I’ve been reticent to say the word – “divorce.” I’m always walking on eggshells – my house no longer a home. Oh no! He’s here. I can do this. We’ll argue, but he’ll see I’m right in the end. I never thought he’d leave me, but obviously he’s having an affair. He comes in late without explanation, without words.
Oh God. There’s the door. I’m ready for this. I can do this. It’s the best thing. Nagging hasn’t work, nor begging or pleading. And since he’s seeing someone anyway, what’s the point of dragging this marriage on any longer?
There he is. That’s funny, why is he dressed up? It’s as if we haven’t seen each other in months. He looks different. He’s fit – calm, rested, at peace. Why the smile? He’s ready to leave. Evidently, we’ve reached the same conclusion.
Gulp. It’s not everyday your marriage comes to an end. “Hon,” he said.
Huh? Did I just hear “Hon?”
“I’ve been thinking.”
“Yes, Paul so have I.” Then I blurted, “We should get a divorce.”
As the words dripped off my tongue I realized divorce was not where Paul was headed. All the color drained from his face and he slumped to a chair. On the floor in front of him was a puddle forming. On his face, something I hadn’t seen since the birth of our son, tears.
After catching his breath and regrouping Paul said, “A divorce?” Sheepishly he added, “You should know I’m seeing someone.”
“Yeah Paul, I know. That’s why we should get a divorce.”
He went on, “It’s not another woman.”
Another man? I’m not ready for this.
But Paul, courage recovered, continued, “I’ve been seeing a pastor.”
He’s sick. He’s having an affair with a man of God. How wrong could he be? His next words floored me. “He’s not the only one … I’ve also been seeing … Jesus.”
But before he’d gotten all that out, I went 5150. How could he? Didn’t he care how this would affect me? Our son? As I was screaming, his words finally penetrated. Had he said– Jesus? The … Messiah? Jesus Christ? Or did he mean some man named Jesus?
He patiently waited for me to regain calm. So unlike him. Now totally at ease, he answered questions I had yet to ask. At least I don’t think I had.
“Yes. Jesus Christ.” Then the floodgates opened and he spilt his last few months.
This was the Paul I fell in love with 15 years ago – my forgotten Paul.
“Six months ago I wanted a divorce,” he continued, “but something inside me said we hadn’t tried everything. I hadn’t tried everything. And we needed to invite God in. I tried to discuss it with you, but you went off on me about not helping out around the house. So I began the journey alone.”
“But Paul …why all the secrecy? Why the silence?”
“Every time I tried, you’d attack me about something. I was tired of fighting. As I embraced my time with Jesus and began to change, I thought you’d eventually notice and we could be us again. But you didn’t.
“While praying at church today, I heard the spirit say, ‘Go home. The time is right.’” Then he finished, “I love Jesus. I love you. With Jesus we can work this out. I’m … sorry; I just thought … maybe each of us needed to work with God separately before we could tackle this together.”
With that he was gone. He just left. I was stunned, shocked and frozen in place. What had just happened? … My husband still loves me? … He’s been seeing Jesus? … He loves Jesus? … He’s been having an affair, but not like I thought. And, ugh—horror of horrors—I asked for a divorce.
When I finally lifted my head from my hands, there was Paul in tears, kneeling in front of me with 15 of the most incredibly beautiful red and white long-stem roses—ever.
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