goo's A perfectly matched flawed couple. "Are you happy? I'm not happy." Cheri looked from her wet eyes up at him sitting in the arm chair playing video games. "No. I've told you that," he answered. He had told her for years that they weren't happy being married, and he knew that she was aware of the same feelings within her that drew him to this conclusion. She just wasn't ready to put the same name on those stirrings yet. But obviously something changed today, and now she was. It might have been how responsive he was to her criticisms in their counseling sessions, or that he had been brave enough to say what was going on for years, but it was really that she was finally as unhappy as he was. Nothing had changed; her glide slope had simply been longer than his. For their friends this end would come as a shock. They didn't fight, they weren't even mad at each other now in the midst of the finality of their marriage. 10 years of devotion, loyalty, mistakes, and sincere apology was a lot to give up on and their retreat from matrimony would insult those who would stick it out no matter what. They talked about all the good things they had going on, and how they weren't worth being married anymore. "Will you start seeing other women?" Cheri asked. Matt hesitated to respond because he didn't want to create ill will with her, but wanted to be honest. "Of course I will. You don't expect me to be celibate for life, do you?" She shook her head. He asked, "Will you get married again?" She looked up at him from where she had been leaning against the wall. "No. It would have worked with you if it was going to work with anyone. I'll never be right for this." "Neither will I."
Very nice and sharply personal, as always. I was particularly struck by this line. It's a very tangible dynamic in so many long term relationships, though I've never pinned it down with words. So much is just waiting for the other person to work through their own feelings to the truth you know is there. It's humbling, in a way.he knew that she was aware of the same feelings within her that drew him to this conclusion. She just wasn't ready to put the same name on those stirrings yet