5
09:01
Blake came home that night. For once, he seemed to let go of his arrogance. He sat on the sofa and wat- ched me for a long time.
“What did I do wrong that you’re so set on a divorce?
11
“Blake, do you love me?”
“Of course I do!” He answered so quickly, it was clear he hadn’t even thought about it.
“You love me, yet you’re constantly flirting with other
women.”
“It’s business. You don’t work, so you don’t understa- nd. A man has to network, has to play the game. I work so hard so that you can have a better life.”
“You’re not a gigolo. You don’t need to flirt with them to give me a better life. You just enjoy the game. You love the thrill of the chase, the power trip of having different women vie for your attention. You watch them like they’re monkeys in a zoo, and it satisfies your ego.”
Blake was speechless. Maybe I had hit a nerve. He seemed flustered, angry. “Zoe, after all these years together, this is what you think of me?”
“Blake, just admit it. You’re a pathetic, sleazy man.”
He shot to his feet. “So what if I am? Have I ever act- ually cheated on you? Everything you have, everythi- ng your family has, even everything your best friend has now, it’s all because of me! What have you done, besides cook and clean?
Chapter 2
09:01
besides cook and clean? Zoe, don’t be so ungrateful. A high–school dropout like you, landing a man like me, and I’ve never even slept with another woman. And you’re still not satisfied?”
“Did you forget that you’re the one who convinced me to drop out of college? The reason I’m a ‘high- school dropout‘ is because of you.”
“Are you blaming me now? Isn’t all the money I give you enough to make up for that?”
“You know it’s a regret of mine, not finishing college. And yet you throw it in my face time and time again. Are you insane?”
“Fine! If that’s what this is about, I apologize! I won’t say it again, okay? And those women, I’ll keep my distance. Alright? So let’s just drop this divorce nons- ense. Let’s move on. I’m hungry. I want those panca- kes you make. Go make me some.”
He was trying to be conciliatory. For a man who had been so arrogant for so long, this was a big step.
I just laughed. “Let me remind you one more time. Nine o’clock tomorrow morning. Don’t be late.”
Blake grabbed the ashtray from the coffee table and hurled it at the wall. It shattered, but not near me. He had a temper, but he had never hit me.
“Zoe!” he roared. “I was faithful to you for all those years! All I did was play the game with those women, and you won’t let it go! To think I stayed faithful for you… what a joke!”
