Walking Out On My Husband Chapter 01

Walking Out On My Husband Chapter 01

After waiting a whole year, it was finally time for my mother Mary to visit me in New York.

But that afternoon, Julian reminded me: “Mary should get going.”

Seven years of marriage. Mom took the bus to see me once a year. Every time, she left before evening.

I was about to ask her to stay the night when Julian said:

“Give her these slippers.”

She’d worn them for less than three hours.

He kicked them across the floor. They skidded to a stop at Mom’s feet.

Mom froze. Her weathered face slowly squeezed out a smile. She bent down and picked them up with both hands.

“Thank you, Julian.”

She was so humble it hurt. I knew why. She was afraid of causing me trouble.

Mom hadn’t even left yet when Susan walked out of the bedroom, Lysol in hand, spraying the air.

Susan, the mother of Julian’s childhood playmate Lily.

“God, it reeks. I think I’m getting allergies. Honestly, you can’t just invite people over like that.”

Susan had been living here for three months. Julian brought her in himself.

Mom’s face flushed red. She left in a hurry, too embarrassed to stay.

My tongue went numb. I slowly turned to Julian.

He didn’t care. He turned around and helped Susan wipe things down.

I didn’t hesitate. I turned and chased after her.

“Mom, I’m coming with you.”

…

She sent me back in the end.

She pushed me away, stubborn as always. Smiling, but her eyes were wet.

I watched her heavy figure walk away and stood there for a long time.

Until a sharp ringtone snapped me out of it.

“When did you go out?”

I checked my watch. Almost two hours had passed.

Julian had just noticed I wasn’t home.

I opened my mouth, but before I could speak, he said:

“Susan wants some roasted nuts from downstairs. Grab some on your way up.”

I swallowed what I was going to say.

When I got upstairs, Susan was throwing out the cup Mom had used.

I reached over and took it.

“What’s wrong with this cup?”

Susan looked a little awkward, but kept her smile.

“It’s old. Lily just bought a new set, so we’re swapping them out.”

“Don’t toss it. I’ll use it.”

She shut her mouth, then reached for the snack bag in my hand.

As she turned to leave, I stopped her.

“Susan. Here’s the receipt.”

She paused. Didn’t take it. Looked at Julian instead.

Julian had just gotten out of the shower. His tone was casual.

“Forget it. It’s nothing. Susan, just keep the change for shopping.”

A hundred and seventy-eight dollars.

Not a lot, sure. But this was the ninth time this month.

Susan had spent over two thousand dollars total.

She hadn’t paid back a single cent.