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I didn’t see the strain my demands made on my wife or how tired she was. I thought only I had the right to be tired since I was the one going out to work all day to give her the life she deserved.
It was only after the divorce that my eyes were opened, but by then, it was too late. I never knew how much trouble it was to take care of three kids on my own until I had to, and I was amazed at all she had done. Our kids were well-behaved and smart even at that age, and I had her to thank for that.
When I saw how much work it was, I felt even worse. I would’ve done anything to make it up to her, but she wouldn’t let me. She shut me out completely and just went on with her life. I was mad at her in the beginning, but as time went on, I saw why she did it. I would’ve done it, too, had I been in her shoes.
I was never in love with anyone else; that much was clear by the way I missed Callie when I moved out on my own and had to return to an empty apartment each day while my wife and kids were in the family home without me and just hearing Daisy’s voice was enough to upset me to no end.
I realized that I didn’t really like her, and some days, I couldn’t even remember how the affair started. That’s not to say I blame her entirely for the whole thing, I played my part in it as well, but I could see looking back where I went wrong.
I should’ve been talking to my wife instead of her about my problems and should’ve set boundaries with her from the beginning so that things did not go too far, but by the time I realized my mistake, it was too late. Callie handed me divorce papers and never looked back. I didn’t even know she knew; I was always so careful.
I was angry, hurt, and ashamed all at once, and the thought of never having my family whole again haunted me for the longest time. I kept Daisy around at that point because otherwise, I would’ve destroyed my family for no reason whatsoever, but I couldn’t stand her at that point.
Then I got the bright idea to make Callie jealous, but she just never seemed to care. Then she started seeing that Tim person, and I knew I had to win her back. It still burns my ass that she’d been with someone else after me, and it’s even worse because he moved away soon after Jamie was born, and I never got to meet him.
For the past eighteen years, every man I see is Tim. I’ve begged her to put me out of my misery, but she wouldn’t relent. It doesn’t help that her description of him leaves me feeling lacking, and I was never so happy as I was the day I got the DNA results for our boy.
I’ve still not been able to rest all these years from the fear of him coming back on the scene and disrupting our lives, but now she’s agreed to marry me, and I won’t be having that fear any longer.
* * *
I was one of the first in line to get the marriage license that morning, which was perfect because I needed to get to the office. I had a meeting that I couldn’t miss, but even when Callie told me I should put this off for another day, I refused; I wanted it done and out of the way. The sooner I get the license, the sooner we can get married again.
“Mr. Campbell, I’m sorry, there seems to be some sort of mix-up.”
“What do you mean?”
“You say you want to get a marriage license for you and one Callie Stevens. Is this a vow renewal?”
“No!”
“But I don’t understand; you’re not divorced, so why would you have to get married again if it’s not a renewal?” I laughed at the young lady behind the desk, thinking that she must be new on the job.
“Check again; we’ve been divorced for twenty years.”
“No, you haven’t. Your wife never signed the divorce papers. Take a look.”
My heart was racing as I took the printed-out paper from her hand. My mind was awhirl with the thought of the hoops I was going to have to jump through to fix whatever screw-up this was.
I looked down at my own signature, and then my eyes fell on the place where hers was supposed to be. There, in perfect English script, was the word penance. “No one ever noticed this in all this time?”
“Don’t say anything, but who has time to check every signature that comes through here when there are literally hundreds a day?”
I didn’t know if to laugh or cry. We’ve been married this whole time. How the hell is that even possible? Instead of going to the office, I called and canceled my meeting and headed back home to her.
She was sitting next to the pool, dipping her toes in the water, looking like she didn’t have a care in the world. “Hello, wife.”
“Hello, husband.” She didn’t even have the decency to look contrite.
* * *
THE BITCH
* * *
I’m not sure what his daughter was doing there for the reading, but whatever. I ignored her as we both entered the room with the attorney. I took out my phone to record because I wanted to remember this day always, the day my life was going to change for the better.
Now, I wouldn’t have to wait for the old man to give me money or anything else that I wanted because I would be the one in control. Finally, after a whole damn lifetime, I was about to come into my own.
