Chapter 39 The Wife
The Wife
I don’t even know how long it’s been since we’ve had sex.
Not good for a couple in their early forties.
I need to do something about it. Even when we were intimate, there were never fireworks.
But when you’ve been together for so long, maybe that’s too much to expect.
We’ve had our ups and downs like any couple; perhaps a few more downs than most, but we’ve weathered the storms together—most of the time.
So maybe I have turned a blind eye to the cracks in our marriage, but hasn’t everyone?
The problem is that I’m beginning to feel like a fraud.
I spend my days helping women in bad marriages to start a new life, so why am I so reluctant to examine my own?
Our son isn’t a baby anymore. He’ll be off to college in a few years.
High school graduations are often followed by divorcing spouses.
Marriages anchored by children are common; our law firm sees a huge uptick in clients every June.
The harsh truth, though, is that many of the women I represent regret choosing to leave.
I’m not talking about the ones in abusive situations, but rather the ones who’ve grown bored and complacent.
They’re looking to spice up their lives with romance.
We all want romance, but the truth is, it rarely lasts.
Every relationship eventually cools down.
And what my clients often discover is that what they had is far better than what is out there.
This is what gives me pause. Is a sexless marriage really the end of the world?
We have companionship and respect for each other, and it’s not as though we don’t love each other.
We do. Men have needs. I’m not excusing his behavior.
But maybe if I try harder, we can fix this.
I have to reignite the flame between us.
Because letting him go is not an option.