Deb can make a start on the packing. Come on, Mike, let's chat. I think you owe me that at least. Deb was torn between her desire to escape this really uncomfortable situation and the need to witness anything said. In the end, her decision was made for her by Mike sitting back down.
Off you go, Deb. I promise not to hurt him. I just want to chat. Until we are divorced, I will feel responsible for your safety still. I just want to assure myself that he has your best interests at heart.
Besides, you've made your decision to leave me. I really don't see the point of trying to talk you out of it. Our marriage is dead, obviously. Both men watched her mount the stairs and disappear. I must say you're being very reasonable about this, Dave.
Mike spoke. That's fine, Mike. Between you and me, there hasn't been much love coming my way from Deb for about a year now. I presume that's when you met. It'll be a relief, really.
I have no desire to consign either of us to a loveless marriage. It's still very decent of you, Dave. Mike replied. You're welcome, Mike. Now, as a lawyer, you will know that whenever you sell a car or a house, you are legally bound to point out any known faults to the new owners.
Mike laughed. Well, slavery is dead, and I don't think Deb would appreciate being thought of as property that needs a transfer of ownership, but I know what you mean, Dave. Dave smiled as well. He'd guessed right that Mike was an intelligent and decent man. Okay.
Now, please believe that what I'm about to tell you is not motivated by malice. I simply want to point out some flaws in Deb that may not be apparent after only knowing her for a year. Also, believe it or not, her future happiness is important to me. I've loved her for 27 years, after all. I'd also just like to share with you all the things I've tried to make her happy, but obviously failed.
That way, you'll know not to waste your time doing the same. Mike nodded. He knew what was to come probably wasn't going to be all altruistically intended, but he did feel he owed it to this innocent man to listen. Right. I assume Deb has gone back on the pill?
Dave asked. Mike nodded again, slightly uncomfortable. It was tantamount to admitting that he'd slept with the guy's wife. She's on the pill, yes. I had no idea she'd ever been off it.
"Apart from when you had your children, of course. Mike replied. She was on the pill when we met, but about 6 to 12 months after we got married, she begged off them. She said they depressed her sexual appetite and made her not want intimacy. From then till I presume she went back on them for you, it has been protection for me.
Can't stand the bloody things. They take all the spontaneity out of it. And I don't know about you, but I struggle to get off in them. "Yes. I know exactly what you mean, Dave.
Mike replied. "Then, after we decided to stop at two children, she started using the protection as an excuse not to make love as often. She pointed out their known failure rate. I begged her to go back on the pill, but she refused, saying she didn't want to have to swallow artificial chemicals every day. Since then, our lovemaking has dropped from several times a week to several times a month to nothing.
About Yes, well, about a year ago. Mike didn't say anything. He knew Deb was very careful about what food she ate and wherever possible chose chemical-free options. Intimacy with her was still exciting and happened at least three times a week, even with the restrictions on their meetings. "I know this is a very ungentlemanly question, Mike, but does she swallow, well, you know?
Mike found this a very uncomfortable question. People in his class didn't talk about such things. He couldn't help his eyes averting. "I see. Yes, I remember what she was like when Deb and I were dating.
Now, please remember I don't say any of this from malice. If I sold you a car that I knew was going to throw a wheel 6 months after I got rid of it, I would warn you about that as well. Deb hasn't done that for me since shortly after the wedding. In fact, I don't think I've had a [censored] since about 18 months after we married and doggy style dropped out shortly after that. I didn't realize that we'd stopped having intimacy totally until quite recently.
I just got sick of getting knock-backs and gave up asking. Maybe you might like to write in your diary to watch for any sudden drop-offs every month or so. Dave paused to allow Mike to add anything, but he didn't take the opportunity. Now, another thing I didn't notice until a couple of years after we were married. I looked around one day and suddenly realized that just about everything I'd owned pre-Deb was gone.
Bed, clothes, couch, and photos of old girlfriends. Although to be fair, I did find those in the attic. I don't know if all women do that or it's just Deb, but it's like she wanted to clear the nest of previous female influence. Again, Dave paused and again, Mike didn't comment. He was thinking of his brand new bed and sheet sets.
Then, he thought of his conversation with Deb a week ago about the portrait of his first wife. A woman he'd loved dearly until she'd been forcibly removed from his life. I hope you're better at picking up her lies than me, Mike. Only 3 weeks ago I asked if she still loved me and if we were still good. She looked me right in the eyes and said, "Yes.
She even did the same thing she always did. Looked into each of my eyes in turn until I was the one to break eye contact. I can't believe it took just 3 weeks to fall out of love so thoroughly. Mike was reeling a little from the unexpectedness of this conversation and from all the information Dave was trying to get him to absorb. Something about those last couple of sentences was setting off alarm bells, but he had no time to pinpoint the source, so he focused on the one aspect he could absorb.
No worries there, Dave. I'm a lawyer. I've spent 20 years learning how to spot liars. They always give themselves away, Mike finally answered. Good.
Again, just some advice you can take or leave. Watch out for her removing her rings when she goes to visit her sister. You might want to check her underwear drawer. That's where she's been putting them here for the last few weeks that I know of. You might also want to follow her on any girls' nights out.