Susan Burch

What Happened

You said I was your world. It was you and me starting our life together. We were in love, married, and happy. Then we had kids and you focused on them. And of course you had to; I had to too. It was our job to take care of them. But there were other demands—your friends always wanted to go out, your mom getting dementia. And of course you need to have a fun outlet, and what could you do but help your dad take care of her? And I understood. They were friends and family. So I planned date nights just for us, so I could have you all to myself. But soon they fell by the wayside. You had to work late. You were too tired. You needed “me” time. And even though I understood all of those things, I couldn’t help thinking, but what about me? But I tried to stay positive—at least I had you at bedtime. You would snuggle up to me and we’d fall asleep spooning. I loved that little bit of “us” time. But then you stopped that too, saying you were too warm, then facing away from me in bed. 

no food
in the pantry
the nights
I’m starving
for affection

And the fear that had been building for years sat like a pit in my stomach. And every day it grew, filling me with dread, until the day finally came when you looked at me and said the words I never wanted to hear, “I want a divorce.”

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About the Author

Susan Burch is a good egg.

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