Ive known David and Amanda for years, so when she shut her laptop with a decisive click and turned to him, I could see the tension already building.
David, Ive told you a hundred times now isnt the time for children, Amanda said, her voice steady. Ive just been offered the lead on a new project. Its the break Ive been waiting three years for.
Davids face flushed. And Ive been waiting three years for an heir! he shouted, his tone sharp. Were both thirty! Your biological clock is ticking, yet youre still dreaming about a career.
Amanda let out a slow breath. Arguments like this had become a regular thing over the past six months, and each time David seemed more insistent.
My job matters! she insisted. Youre not giving up a post for fatherhood.
Thats not the point, David replied. A man should provide for the family, a woman should have children. Thats the natural order.
She pressed her lips together. Those oldfashioned ideas of Davids kept resurfacing, as if the marriage had stripped away the thin veil under which hed hidden them during their courtship.
The natural order is that people decide when they want to become parents, Amanda said, rising to clear the table. Im not ready now. End of story.
And when will you be ready? At forty? At fifty? Davids voice rose. Or perhaps never at all?
Lola, the ginger mutt who lounged by the balcony door, lifted her head and gave a wary glance at her owner, always sensing the households strain.
Give it a couple of years, love, Amanda whispered as she settled beside the dog and scratched behind its ears. Right, girl?
David watched the scene and snarled, Thats exactly the problem. Youre pouring all your motherly instincts into that mutt.
Dont you dare talk about Lola like that, Amanda snapped, turning sharply. Shes family.
Family? A dog is an animal, not a child! David slammed his palm onto the table. I wont put up with this any longer!
The next days felt like a siege. David devoted every waking hour to persuading his wife. At dawn, barely before Amanda opened her eyes, he launched another lecture on parental duty. By night he returned with fresh arguments about the ticking clock.
Look at Megan, hed say, scrolling through social media. Shes your age and already has two kids. And what about Linda from your department? She gave birth last year.
Megan has been at home on maternity leave for three years, complaining that her brains gone mushy, Amanda retorted. Linda went back to work after four months because money was tight.
Youre just scared of responsibility, David accused.
And youre scared Ill outshine you, she shot back.
On Friday, Amandas motherinlaw, Valerie Thompson, dropped by and joined the fray.
Amanda, dear, Valerie began as she took a seat, Davids told me everything. I understand work is important, but a womans main purpose is to carry on the family line.
Amanda winced inwardly. Valerie belonged to a generation that expected women to be mothers by twenty and saw nothing else as a viable life plan.
Well sort this out ourselves, Valerie, Amanda replied politely.
Sort it out? Its been three years! In my day we had the first child within a year of marriage and were planning the second by the third, Valerie protested.
The times have changed, Amanda said, trying to stay calm.
The times have changed, and not for the better, Valerie snorted. Women used to know their place.
David nodded, silently backing his motherinlaw.
Ill decide where my place is, Amanda said coldly.
Valerie pursed her lips and exchanged a meaningful glance with her son.
Amanda, youre selfish. Davids thirtyone; he wants a child, she said.
Then let him find someone ready to start a family right now, Amanda shot back.
A heavy silence fell. Davids face went pale, and Valerie opened her mouth in outrage.
Maybe I will! he shouted.
When Valerie left, Amanda took Lola for a long walk. The dog trotted happily, stopping now and then to sniff or chase another pooch. Those evening strolls became Amandas sanctuary amid the marital storm.
You know, girl, she murmured, watching Lola chase pigeons, sometimes I think youre the only one in this house who really gets me.
Lolas russet snout turned toward her, her brown eyes shining with devotion. Amanda crouched and hugged the dog.
I found you at the shelter, skinny and scared. Look at you now a proper beauty.
Lola licked her cheek gratefully, and Amanda laugheda sound that hadnt escaped her in days.
At home, a grim David waited on the sofa, arms crossed, his expression anything but friendly.
Ive made a decision, he announced.
Whats that? Amanda asked, unfastening Lolas leash as the dog trotted to its water bowl.
Either a child or the dog. Choose.
Amanda froze, leash in hand.
What?
You understood me perfectly. If you want to keep this marriage, get rid of the mutt. If you wont have my children, I wont watch you play mother to an animal.
David, have you lost your mind? Lolas been with me for four years! she said, turning slowly toward him.
I wont stand for a dog being more important than me, he snapped. She isnt more important! Its just
Just what? he demanded. Just that you spend time, money and emotions on her that should belong to me and our future kids!
Amanda sank onto a chair, the absurdity of the situation hitting her.
Youre jealous of the dog?
I expect my wife to behave like a wife, not like an old spinster with cats!
I have a dog, not cats, she replied.
Dont be clever! David barked. Decisions made. By Sunday this mutt must be out of our house, or you start preparing for pregnancy!
Lola, hearing the raised voices, padded over and rested her head on Amandas knee, her warm breath calming more than any medicine could.
What if I refuse? Amanda asked quietly.
Then our marriage ends.
Amanda spent the whole of Saturday mulling over her options. David pretended not to speak to her, grimaced at the sight of Lola, and sighed loudly as if the dogs presence inflicted physical pain.
Times running out, he reminded her that evening. I need an answer tomorrow.
Im ready, Amanda said calmly.
She had thought it through. Choosing between a dog and a husband was a false dichotomya clash between devotion and manipulation, between genuine love and emotional blackmail.
Wonderful! David exclaimed. Well take her to the shelter tomorrow.
Im taking my things and moving in with my parents. With Lola.
Davids face stretched thin.
Youre seriously choosing a dog over me?
Im choosing the person who loves me without conditions.
Sunday turned chaotic. David shouted, threatened, pleaded, then shouted again. He promised magnanimous forgiveness if Amanda changed her mind, swearing to think of a compromise. It was too late.
Youll regret this! he roared as Amanda carried out the last suitcase. Who else will put up with your whims?
Ill find someone, she smiled. And hell love dogs.
Lola sat in the car, waiting patiently as her owner finished packing, as if sensing a new chapter beginning.
Amandas parents welcomed her with open arms. Susan, her mother, immediately began preparing a dinner for three, while her father, Ian, set up a comfortable spot for Lola in the living room.
We always thought this marriage was a mistake, her mother admitted, hugging her. We just never had the courage to say it.
The divorce was surprisingly swift. David, realizing a compromise was impossible, didnt drag the process out. Amanda moved into her own flat, focused on her career, andfor the first time in yearsfelt genuinely happy.
Five years flew by. Amanda headed a major department, earned a solid salary in pounds, and lived in a spacious flat overlooking a park. Lola had aged, grown a bit more stooped, but still greeted her owner each evening with unbridled joy.
Maxwell entered her life quite naturallya colleague from a neighbouring team who first became a friend and then something more. He accepted Lola without complaint, never minding a stray hair on the sofa, and even walked the dog when Amanda worked late.
Its absurd that anyone could force a choice between family and a pet, he remarked when she told him about the first marriage. Its downright ludicrous.
David thought otherwise, Amanda replied.
Foolish, really, Maxwell said, then quickly added, Sorry, didnt mean to badmouth your ex.
No apologies needed. Youre right.
One warm afternoon, Amanda and Lola were strolling through their favourite park. The dog no longer chased pigeons, preferring to walk beside her, though she still examined everything with keen interest.
Lola, stay! a familiar voice called.
Amanda turned, heart skipping a beat. David was walking down the path, hand in hand with a fouryearold boy. Beside them, on a leash, trotted a ginger mutt that looked uncannily like Lola.
Tonya? David stopped, surprised. What a coincidence.
Hello, David, Amanda said calmly.
The boy let go of his fathers hand and ran to the dog.
Lola, whos this? Your sister?
Amanda smiled, glancing at her former husband.
What a funny name match.
David flushed.
My son wanted a dog. What could I do? The name just popped into my head.
Got it, Amanda replied, not pressing the issue. Cute boy. He looks like you.
Thanks. Are you married? he asked.
Yes. Max is wonderful, and he loves dogs.
David nodded, at a loss for words.
Dad, why is that lady sad? the boy asked.
Im not sad, Amanda said, smiling. Just thinking.
About what?
How nicely everything turned out.
When they parted, Amanda lingered on the path, watching Davids figure fade. Hed got what he wanteda child, and even a dog.
The problem had never been the dog. It was people who tried to reshape each other. With Max, she never had to choose between career and family, nor between love for an animal and love for a man.
Come home, girl, she told Lola. Maxs making something tasty for dinner.
Lola wagged her tail enthusiastically. Amanda reflected that sometimes fate brings us facetoface with the wrong partners just so we can finally appreciate the right ones.
