7
Sarah was shaking her head at me, annoyed.
“You know, it’s so true about not being able
to read people’s true intentions. He was all
over you in college, the picture–perfect
couple. Then you got married and everyone
was so jealous. Who knew he was such a
total douche?”
Yeah, Ben and I were the golden couple.
When I graduated my advisor wanted me to
join his team early and I worked myself to the.
bone. I would complain to Ben about it and he
would comfort me.
The next day, he drove three hours to my
place, and proposed.
I was stunned at how impatient he was, but
<
he said he’d had a nightmare the night.
before. That I’d marry someone else. He
wanted to tie the knot with me as soon as
possible.
He was also worried about how tired I was,
and wanted to take care of me.
I was so in love with him at the time, I thought
it was inevitable that we would get married.
So I said yes. And we went and got hitched
without even telling my family.
A few days later, my mom found out and she
went off on me. But I said I knew Ben was
dependable and that I’d be happy with him.
forever.
But, I slowly pieced together the truth.
Ben’s so–called nightmare came about
<
because Tiffany didn’t go to the same school
as he did. She decided to go to another city.
They had planned on going to our university
together.
Ben got mad at Tiffany for going against their
deal, and proposed to me on impulse.
So, Tiffany threw a fit at Ben, and Ben went
one up, and picked Tiffany’s birthday to
marry me.
My perfect marriage was all just about them
and their feud.
So why hadn’t Ben divorced me?
I remembered him talking to his buddies in
the private room of a bar:
“Dude, if I divorce Jo, where am I gonna find
another wife who’s so perfect? She has a
<
great career, makes good money, has a hot
body, and loves me so much. She does
everything I say…”
That was the first time I thought of divorce.
But I told myself to give him another chance.
Looking back, it’s like they say, if you find
one cockroach in the sunlight, it means there
are a million of them hiding in the shadows.
Ben was rotten to the core.
Zach’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts:
“That’s why I don’t believe in marriage. And
never will. Love is for suckers.
“Jo, you’ve always been good with your
hands. Why don’t you come work at my bar
as a part–time bartender?”
I looked at Zach. He seemed genuine.
く
Zach had always wanted me to try new things
and help him with his business.
He wanted me to learn calligraphy and help
him design a cover for his bookshop.
He wanted me to learn how to sew so I could
design a few original pieces for his clothing.
store.
I always turned him down because Ben didn’t
want me to interact with other guys too
much.
But I did really enjoy making things.
I was always curious about other things, but I
always put Ben’s happiness first.
Now, I had to do something that made myself
happy.
く
So I said yes.
