I stared at him.
— When did all this start?
— Four months ago.
Four months.
— I didn’t know if I would get the job. The chances were small, Chels.
— But when you got it, you still did everything without me. You didn’t even tell me this was a possibility.
— This position means fewer night shifts, real weekends off, and a more manageable schedule. They want me to lead part of the department.
— And you decided that gave you the right to decide where we would live? You were going to move our child, and then somehow everything would just work itself out? What about my work, Ben?
— I thought this was our chance to get out of this. We barely have any time for each other anymore.
I stepped closer.
— Why wasn’t I part of this conversation?
His jaw tightened.
— Because I thought you’d refuse immediately before you even let me explain anything.
Exactly.
Ben had already decided what I would say before he had even given me a chance to think about it.
— So you didn’t need my opinion — I said quietly. — You needed me to accept a finished plan when there was nothing left to discuss.
— Chelsea, I’m trying to save our marriage.
— No. You’re trying to solve the problem for both of us by doing everything yourself. Like always.
I picked up the lunch bag.
— I’m not moving anywhere. And I’m not going to interrupt Olive’s school year.
He suddenly looked up.
— What?
— I’m not saying “never.” I’m saying you made this decision on your own. So now I’m making my own decision too.
I walked out before he could make another decision for me.
I reached the car and only then finally broke down crying.
Five minutes later, Arnold knocked on the window.
I rolled it down.
— Please, don’t explain my husband to me.
— I won’t. But don’t think he accepted the job only for the money.
— I don’t think that.
— He really believed he was fixing the situation.
— Then he should have talked to the person he was trying to fix everything for.
Arnold nodded.
— I completely agree with you on that.
Ben came home before Olive finished dinner.
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She looked at me first, then at him.
— Are you mad at each other?
— We’re upset — I answered. — But those are adult matters.
