Im not keen on this at all, Lily, and if youve got an incurable condition, perhaps a bit of solitude will do the trick?
Lily had long given herself a bleak diagnosisjealousy. She claimed it was untreatable and kept reminding her husband whenever he asked her not to make a fuss over trifles. Marks grandmother, his own, often told her grandson that his wife was jealous of every lamppost. Mark never quite grasped the lamppost metaphor, but he couldnt argue that Lily was, in fact, far too possessive.
What was that you did in the shop? Mark asked sharply at home after they’d left the supermarket, the trolley abandoned at the checkout because Lily had exploded when Mark glanced at the checkout assistant.
Flushed with embarrassment, Mark let Lily stay with the groceries, but she rejected the items shed picked from the southern aisle and bolted after him.
What were you looking at? Did you undress her in your mind? Theres nothing thereno skin, no anything.
I dont even know what this woman you speak of looks like. I was distracted, remembering Id promised Stephen a powerofattorney today; I was sending him off on a business trip and ended up wasting time wandering the aisles with you.
Of course youll now conjure a thousand excuses just to avoid admitting your fault. Why didnt you drive straight from the shop to the office if it was that important?
Because Stephen will be arriving at my place soon; I had to pull a man out of his seat.
Male solidarity, even pulling a man out of his seat, just to justify yourself.
Lily, stop giving me a reason to be jealous for no good reason, or this will lead nowhere!
Then dont give me a reason, and I wont be jealous.
Mark shook his head. He didnt actually give her a reason; Lily simply saw threats where none existeda talent of hers, plain and simple. He was tired of explaining. Hed married Lily out of a great love, but after five years of her endless melodramas the affection had begun to wilt. Sometimes he wondered whether hed tied his fate to the right person. A few more years and life would look entirely unkind.
Mark ran a modest mediaproduction firm, while Lily worked for the city council. Shed fought her way up the ranks for years, so she wasnt keen to lose a prestigious post. Whenever Mark broached the subject of children, she replied that her career came first. When Im settled in a nice chair, then we can think about itprovided we hire a nanny straight away.
Mark disliked Lilys dismissive attitude toward family, but he respected her opinion and didnt rush her. Hed suggested she quit her job more than once, only to realise she wasnt after the money but after climbing the corporate ladder.
Soon Stephen arrived, Marks assistant, and they discussed a few matters. As Mark escorted him out, offering a reminder to write everything down, Stephen asked:
Whats up with Lily again? Did you two have a tiff? She seems puffy.
Same old thing, Mark shrugged, jealousy never lets the peace settle.
Jealousy means she loves you, Stephen chuckled, though I sometimes wonder if my own wife, Natasha, truly loves me. Ive never staged a jealousy scene; Ive even flirted with her friend, and shes never complained.
Good luck, Mark gripped Stephens other hand, wishing him a smooth trip.
That evening Mark sat at his computer, emailing a client in a faroff time zone. When he finally shut down and slipped into the bedroom, completely forgetting the days argument, he tried to pull Lily close. She jerked his arm away as if waiting for that exact moment.
Go hug the checkout assistant! Lily snapped, and Mark lost his temper.
He lunged from the bed, grabbed the blanket and pillow, and strode to the door. Halfway down the hallway he spun on the spot and announced loudly:
Ill sleep in the study tonight, and if you dont calm down, I wont come back to the bedroom tomorrow. Im fed up!
In the morning Lily woke him with a gentle kiss and a mug of tea.
Mark, Im sorry about yesterday. You have to understandjealousy is a disease with no cure. And a man like you is impossible not to be jealous of.
I really dont like this, Lily, and when you have an incurable ailment, maybe solitude will help?
He said it so seriously that Lily paused, wondering what would happen if he actually left. Eventually, patience ran thin, and she tried to be gentle. From that day on the house settled into an uneasy quiet. Lily became the docile version of herself that Mark hadnt seen in years. Though Marks work often kept him late, hed warn Lily and come home with bouquets of her favourite roses. She would wait with a tasty dinner, even if she sometimes wondered why he couldnt organise his schedule better.
Mark felt happy again, but happiness, like a zebra, is stripedpresent one moment, gone the next.
One bright afternoon Lily called Mark while he was at the office.
Mark, are you busy?
No, whats up?
Its urgent! I need to drive to a childrens health resort out of town, but my car is in the garage. Can you give me a lift?
No problem, Mark replied, pleased to escape the city buzz for a countryside spin.
Driving onto the resort grounds, Mark was struck by the towering cedars lining the paths and the wooden statues of fairytale characters scattered about. Children played with their parents, birds sang, and the air was pure bliss.
Go have a wander, Ill be back soon, Lily said, heading for the building. At that moment a fouryearold girl ran up to Mark shouting, Daddys here! Where have you been? She clutched his knees, leaving Mark rooted, eyes darting between Lily, who turned into a wooden statuelike figure, and the mother hurrying after her child.
The embarrassed mother rushed over, gently trying to untangle the embrace.
Sweetheart, thats not our dad! she said, looking at Mark, then apologising to the girl for the mixup.
Lily seized the moment to launch a tirade:
And what will you say now, love? That Lilys wrong again? Will you repeat what Im reminding you of?
The little girl stared at Lily, then released Mark, curling up to her mother trembling like a kitten in a storm.
Why is auntie shouting at papa? asked Daisy, the girl, as her mother crouched and whispered something, holding her tight.
Lily, dont shout at the child, pull yourself together, youve scared her! Mark warned sharply.
Oh, look at him! Lily retorted, hes gotten a cold, and my mouth is stuck! It wont work now, love, it wont work!
Other mothers quickly ushered their kids away from the scene. Daisys mum tried to pull her away, but the child clung to her.
Let dad come with us!
Dad! Lily spat, why wont you go with them? Come on, sing a song! Ill even file for divorce and split the assets, just so you get nothing! You betrayed me.
Excuse us, the resort director intervened, addressing Lily, this isnt my daughters father, shes just made a mistake. Please, no more shouting, there are children here!
Shut your mouth, Lily snapped, hes still my husband by law. When youre mine, then you can give orders!
The woman lifted her daughter, apologised to Mark, and hurried off, while Daisy wailed, Dad!
Lily, calm down this instant! Mark grabbed her shoulders, meeting her eyes. The girl erred, and youve made a scene. Are you even in your senses?
Oh, of course I am! Im the one left out. Cant you see shes a copy of you? Why didnt you go to them? My connections matter, I get it! But now youll be left with nothing!
Lily, youre crossing every line. Im not going to apologise for something I didnt do!
And what if she was born without your consent? Yet you wanted a child, and now you have one! Run, catch up, calm your daughter!
Mark tried to speak as calmly as possible, while Lily kept unloading everything she thought of him, louder and more hurtful each time.
LilyAnne! a voice called from behind, startling her. Is something wrong?
It was the resorts manager.
No, everythings fine, Lily replied, shaking her head, then glared at Mark. You dont have to come home, dont wait for me, Ill manage on my own.
Mark scratched his scalp, got into his car, and drove off. Lily passed him without a glance, then climbed into a taxi a few minutes later.
Right, thats that! Mark muttered, spotting a woman hurrying toward his car the mother of little Daisy. He stepped out to meet her; she looked flustered.
Sorry again, she began, I put Daisy to bed and she got so upset I was frightened for her. I wanted to explain to you and your wife. You actually look a lot like my late husband. From a distance it seems youre him, but of course its an illusion. Daisy is tiny, doesnt understand these things. She loves her father and every night asks the Fairy to bring him back. Could you tell your wife we didnt mean to ruin her mood? Its extremely awkward for me.
I think Im out of a wife now, Mark sighed sadly, wishing her luck as he drove away.
He didnt feel like returning home. He spent the night at the office instead, deciding not to split assets with Lilylet her keep everything while he bought a fresh start, his client list being more than sufficient.
The next day he rented a flat temporarily and headed back with his belongings. To his surprise Lily was at home, daytime, sipping brandy.
Want some? she offered, extending the bottle.
Thanks, I dont drink, even if youve forgotten, he replied.
I havent forgotten, she said, and I also remember the years you gave me the horns. I pretended to be faithful while my own daughter grew up. Congratulations! The idiots dream came true.
Mark said nothing; he no longer wanted to converse with her. Talk of love was dead, feelings vanished. He packed his things in silence, and as he left Lily shouted:
Dont expect any settlement after the divorce. I lost my job because of you; they asked me to write my own because of your daughter!
She burst into loud laughter.
Youll get nothing, Lily, youve lost everything because of yourself!
Mark decided to turn the page and never look back at the shortlived happiness. He filed for divorce, and when the papers arrived he began hunting for a new place. With no time to handle it himself, he turned to a letting agency, only to discover the same woman from the resort standing behind the desk. She recognised him instantly and asked, a little nervous:
Did something happen? Is it because of that incident with Daisy?
No, why would you think that?
Just that there was a fuss after the Daisy episode. The director called me in to question what happened. I told her it was a mistake, and I thought maybe youd have some trouble because of it, so I asked.
I came here as a professional, and that little adventure didnt bother me at allactually it was for the best. Help me find a decent house, will you?
She smiled, asked the usual questions, took notes, and promised to call back in a few days. She handled the matter with real professionalism. Over the weekend she phoned Mark, offering several viewings, describing each property in detail. By evening Mark knew exactly which house he would buy.
Thank you, Nadine, he said, a little embarrassed, youve spent so much time on me. May I invite you to dinner, if youre not in a rush? By the way, hows your daughter?
With my mum, Nadine replied, and I wouldnt say no to dinner.
After dinner Mark drove Nadine home, and they met a few more times until the purchase was finalised.
Well, Nadine, thanks to you Im now the owner of a lovely home at a modest price. Youre now obliged to come to my housewarming, excuse my forwardness, but without you the celebration would be incomplete.
Of course Ill come.
She visited several times after the move. Six months later, Mark could no longer contain himself and proposed to Nadine. She accepted, and Daisy was overjoyed when Mark promised he would never run away from them again.
