At the time that I made the decision to accompany my husband to his ex-wife’s residence, I had no idea that she would be wearing a luxurious silk robe, with her hair perfectly styled and her lips shining. However, all seemed insignificant in comparison to the expression that appeared on her face when she saw me standing next to him.
It was the day that I met Jett that I decided to stop believing in the concept of random luck. When we were both looking for the same worn-out copy of “The Great Gatsby,” we happened to run into each other at a bookstore simultaneously.
I am still filled with excitement whenever he walks through our front door after work, even though we have been married for five years.
In any case, on the majority of days.
Have you caught a glimpse of my toolset, Lina? ” From the garage, Jett made a phone call.
A glance at my watch occurred to me as I stirred the soup that was simmering on the burner. It is 6:30 o’clock. That was a Tuesday. It was almost time for dinner.
I called back a while later and said, “As usual, under the workbench.”
I knew he had located it because of the clank of the tools.
He was there in the doorway of the kitchen a moment later, with a toolbox in his hand and the keys to his car swinging from his fingers.
“Do you have any plans? ” I inquired, having already figured out the response.
Her name was Vina. There is a problem with her garbage disposal, and she is concerned that it could be a significant issue.
I was a little too forceful as I put down my wooden spoon. “Dinner is almost being prepared.”
“Yes, I am sorry,” he said with a smile that conveyed his regret. As soon as I get back, I’ll get mine ready to go. The time frame shouldn’t be greater than an hour.”
I was unable to utter a single word before the front door closed.
The unexpected realization that I was no longer hungry prompted me to switch off the burner and rest against the counter.
In the event that I ask my husband to hang a picture or repair the dripping faucet in our bathroom, he does not rush through the process. But when his ex-wife called to complain about a towel rack that was broken? It took him only five minutes to leave the house.
At first, I made an effort to maintain my composure.
In my head, I convinced myself that they have a past. Simply put, he is assisting in.
On the other hand, after a short period of time, there was a third, fourth, and fifth call. Drain that is clogged. Garage opener that is broken. How is the sprinkler behaving?
A sigh would escape his lips each time, and he would say, “She doesn’t have anyone else, and I don’t want the house to fall apart.”
One could get the impression that he was referring to a historic mansion rather than the three-bedroom house that they had purchased jointly before to their end of marriage. In spite of the fact that the market was improving, he insisted on continuing to own the house with her.
He had assured me, “It’s just business, Lina,” when we first started dating each other out. Both of us have invested money in the house, and neither of us wants to see that money go to waste.
In those days, I had faith in him. But now, after five years had passed, I was beginning to have doubts about it.
I made sure to place a steaming cup of coffee on the nightstand next to our bed the following morning. A grunt came from Jett, and he opened one eye.
What time did you arrive at your house the night before? ” I inquired while perched on the side of the bed.
When he got up and rubbed his face, he said, “I believe it was around eleven.” The garbage disposal was functioning properly, but all changed when her kitchen sink began to leak. It was necessary to replace the seal.
“A seal needs to be changed in four hours? ”
He gave his coffee a few sips. Her dinner was prepared. The act of leaving was impolite.
I was attracted to him. “She prepared dinner for you.”
“Lina, it was not something that was intended. It was just that she was unhappy with the time.
After rising to my feet, I made my way to the window and drew back the curtains in order to let in the light of the morning.
Work needed to be done in our backyard. There were weeds growing in abundance in the flower beds, and the deck was in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint.
Still, Jett? Because he was so busy.
“You know,” I began, maintaining a calm tone of voice, “our bathroom faucet has been dripping for the past three weeks.”
Jett had a sigh. The promise is that I will fix it this next weekend.
However, he did not. mostly due to the fact that Vina contacted on Saturday am to report a loose stair rail.
One evening, after he had missed our anniversary dinner in order to fix Vina’s garage door, I sat by myself on our couch with a glass of wine and an unfinished pie from our favorite bakery.
Upon his arrival at 10:30 p.m., I greeted him with the phrase, “Just tell me the truth.” “Are you still with her, and do you love her?” ”
Jett appeared disbelieving. “What is it? Do not! I don’t understand how you think that, Lina. ”
Then I counted on my fingers and said, “Let’s see.” “She calls, and you rush away from her. Because she is in need of assistance, you should drop everything. Despite the fact that our faucet has been dripping for weeks, her shelf that is loose is a disaster.
He sat down on the couch next to me, and he had a small whiff of wood dust in his air.
In response to that, he ran his fingers through his hair and muttered, “It’s not like that.” It’s really just that she has no idea how to solve things. You have the ability to deal with things. You have a lot of strength.”
Therefore, I am being punished for being self-sufficient? ”
“No, that just isn’t what I need—”
“Jett, she is taking advantage of you. You are allowing her to do that.”
His expression became more tense. That’s not a fair thing. Occasionally, she is in need of assistance.
Nobody is immune to the need for assistance. However, the majority of people phone a professional rather than their former partner.
As usual, the conversation came to a close with Jett assuring me that he would establish more stringent boundaries, and I pretended to believe him.
After a week had passed, I was in the middle of a meeting at work when I received a text message from Jett:
Her name was Vina. The kitchen is flooded. I will be there shortly. Possible to be late.”
I kept my eyes fixed on the words until they became hazy.
As soon as I arrived at my house, Jett started pulling out his tools.
“Are you here to save the day? My laptop bag was placed on the counter as I posed the question.
He did not raise his head. However, that is not the case.
I picked up my purse and said, “Fine,” as I did so. “Let’s get going.”
His head suddenly jerked up. “What is it? ”
“Let’s do it. Yes, I will accompany you.
You would like to see Vina at her home, right? ”
“If we are going to protect your investment,” I remarked with a stern smile, “I ought to be there, right?” ”
He stopped, and then gently nodded his head. “All right. In the event that you desire that.”
The only sound that could be heard was the radio playing gently throughout the fifteen-minute trip to Vina’s house. As I watched the streets that I was familiar with pass by, I couldn’t help but wonder how many times Jett had traveled without me.
The house was immaculate, with freshly painted walls and shrubs that were well trimmed.
While wearing a silky robe, Vina opened the door. Her hair was flawless, and her lips were lustrous. When she spotted me standing next to Jett, she went completely still.
“Oh,” she exclaimed. I was unaware that you were going to be bringing a visitor.
I did my best to grin. The word “surprise”
Her eyes briefly met Jett’s. “I was surprised to see that you brought your wife to help fix the pipes.”
At that moment, Jett went by both of us on his way to the kitchen.
Where exactly is the flooding? Averting his gaze from ours, he inquired.
According to Vina, “This way.”
The living room was spotless, and I followed them through it. There were no indications that a woman was becoming anxious about issues in the house.
Similarly, the kitchen was immaculately clean. The only thing that could be considered a “flood” was a small puddle that would be found under the sink. I would be willing to bet that my wedding band was not present ten minutes ago.
Vina reported that the rain has just begun to fall. “Yes, I was so terrified.”
I leaned against the counter and whispered, “I bet you were,” as I leaned against it. It is fortunate that Jett is always willing to lend a hand.
Immediately after checking the pipes, Jett gave me a warning look and then looked at me. After some time had passed, he stated, “It’s just a loose pipe.” “Could you please hand me the wrench that is out of my toolbox?”
I took the toolbox away from Vina before she could move, and then I handed it to her. “I’ve got it for you, honey.”
My eyes wandered around as he was working. There are no indications that a male lives in this location. There should be no razors in the restroom, no duplicate toothbrushes, and no men’s shoes by the entrance.
As a result, Vina did not call Jett because she was with a new guy who was incapable of resolving the issues. This was the reason she was phoning him: she wanted him to be here.
Would you want something to drink? Vina inquired about it. A fresh juice was created by me.
I answered, “No, thank you,” before Jett could respond to my question. Dinner is on the agenda for us.
Jett became perplexed and looked up. We did not have any plans for dinner, but he did not speak up.
Following a few minutes, he closed the cupboard that was located under the sink and added, “Everything is fixed.” It’s nothing more than a dangling pipe. We should be good to go now.”
Vina touched his arm and uttered the words, “My hero.” “If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what I would do.”
My response was, “You would call a plumber.” “Just like the majority of people do.”
During the time that Jett was washing his hands in the restroom, I quickly retrieved a folded piece of paper from my purse and gave it to Vina.
When she opened it, her eyes became more narrow. Is this something? ”
I just stated, “Helpful contacts,” in response.
The document included a screenshot of a famous dating app that was circled with the phrase “meet new people nearby!” scribbled on it, as well as a list of three good plumbers, a gardener, and two electricians.
In addition, I had written at the bottom of the page, “If you continue to call my husband, I will have to assume that you are illiterate.”
It caused her face to flush.
In a low voice, she murmured, “You think you’re so smart.” “Hey, you have no idea what Jett and I were up to.”
Smiling, I said, “I am completely aware of what you had.” “In the past. It is both the now and the future that we have.
“Every time I call, he does not hesitate to come running,” she growled. “In what way does that speak to you? ”
I remarked, “That he is thoughtful and devoted.” It is clear that you are making use of the situation.
When I heard the door to the restroom open, I yelled out in a loud voice, “You don’t require a man.” There is a requirement for a repairman.
Jett returned to the kitchen and looked between us with an anxious expression on his face. Is everything all right? ”
“That’s fantastic,” I remarked as I took his arm. “Are you prepared to return home? ”
At first, the journey back was a peaceful one. Following that, Jett cleared his throat. “Uh, that was… strange.”
“Did it happen? Personally, I found it to be enlightening.
When he looked at me, he asked, “What do you mean? ”
A divorce attorney’s business card was the item that I retrieved from my bag after reaching into it. My address was written on the reverse of the envelope.
The moment we came to a stop at a red light, Jett was fixated on it. “To be honest? Would you like to make a decision for me? ”
“This is not an ultimatum. I positioned the card on the dashboard and said, “A choice.” If you choose to continue making repairs to her house, you are welcome to reside there as well.
Despite the fact that the light turned green, Jett did not immediately move. A automobile that was following us honked its horn.
After a while, he eventually said, “I didn’t see how it looked,” while driving slowly. She is in desperate need of assistance—”
Then I chimed in, “So do I.” “I require a husband who is present here. Who fixes the faucet that is dripping? Who is present at banquets celebrating anniversaries?
He remained silent for a considerable amount of time. Subsequently, he took the card belonging to the attorney, examined it, and then placed it in the glovebox.
Tomorrow, he promised, he would give her a call. “Tell her that I am no longer able to be her go-to guy for fixing things.”
That’s what you’d do? ”
On my hand, he took it. “I opt to go with you, Lina. All the time having”
The event occurred three months ago. Vina’s has not been visited by us since that time.
Apparently, she has found someone. A handyman according to one of the numbers that I provided to her. According to what I heard, he also brought her flowers and fixed her water heater.
What about us? I was finally able to fix my faucet. How about my husband? Just for the sake of argument, let’s pretend he is aware of who is truly in control of this marriage.
