And is he going to be living with us now? he asked his wife, looking over at their son
Barbara Jennings returned home and was taken aback to see her son. Thomas had been living with his wife for nearly two years, apart from his parents. They only saw each other a couple of times a month, usually on weekends. And here he was, on a Tuesday.
Has something happened? Barbara asked, choosing not to greet him as usual.
Arent you glad to see me? Thomas tried a smile, but her stern gaze stopped him. He muttered, Ive left Jane.
What do you mean, youve left her? she demanded sharply.
Barbara had a tough personality; she wasnt exactly the joking type. Her jobworking at a youth detention centrehad rubbed off on her. Thomas shifted awkwardly.
We had an argument, he mumbled, clearly not wanting to talk about it.
And? She locked eyes with him. Are you going to come running back to me every time you have a row with your wife?
Were getting divorced, Thomas blurted out.
Barbara didnt flinch; her gaze told Thomas she wanted an explanation. Sighing, he continued, She wants me to do more housework. But I come home shattered from work as it is.
And what, did it nearly kill you to help out your wife? Barbara shot back.
She said exactly that. I told her I think the woman should be the homemaker and handle the housework.
And where on earth did you pick up that nonsense? Barbara was running out of patience.
She was exhausted from a long day and just wanted a shower, a quiet meal with her husband, not to deal with her sons melodrama and outdated ideas. Shed spent her whole life with her husbandthe housework was always shared, they worked side by side, raised their children together; there was never any ‘mans work’ or ‘womans work.’ And here was Thomas, acting like some lord of the manor!
Im asking you! she snapped so sharply Thomas might have cowered if he wasnt grown. Where did you get that? Dividing up chores, are you tired from hunting mammoths? Both of you work, both of you earn. So you both pull your weight at home. Or did you suggest she quit her job and stay at home? No? So whats all this about? Have you ever known your father and me to fight over housework? Thats because were sensible enough to stick together.
At that moment, her husband, Michael, arrived home. He spotted Thomas and asked with surprise, Something happened?
They even ask the same questions, Thomas thought, then said aloud, Im splitting up with Jane.
Idiot, Michael replied curtly and carried his shopping to the kitchen.
Michael, our sons a fool, Barbara said, filling her husband in on the arguments cause.
So, is he moving back in with us? Michael asked his wife, then turned to Thomas, Did you know the word spouse used to mean yoke-mate? Its someone who pulls together with their partner. That means you and Jane have to work togetherto share the family responsibilities equally. If one starts slacking, the other ends up pulling double, and eventually, either one collapses or the whole thing falls apart.
Thomas stood thinking, but resentment toward Jane lingered. He hoped his parents would take his side, but instead, they seemed to have turned against him. Barbara was putting away the groceries, Michael unpacked them, demonstrating wordlessly that Thomas was just in the wayno one was going to indulge him.
Thomas watched as his parents, firm as they seemed, were tender and gentle with each other. It puzzled him how people so strong in life could be so soft with each other.
Well, are you just going to stand there? Go and make up with your wife! Michael ordered sternly. And forget all that rubbish about who owes what. You ought to take care of each other and help each other outthats what its about! Off you go, your mother and I have our own affairs to attend to.
Thomas left his parents house, thoroughly chastened. Support was not what hed received, but strangely, his resentment toward Jane had faded. He realised that he was partly to blame for the argument. One thing had become clear, though: he wanted to build a family as happy as the one his parents had created.
