Another Time, Another Place

“You don’t give a diabetic sugar,” April said. “Just like you don’t give a sex-starved person a chance at sex. Virgil, I wronged you. You wronged me, we wronged each other.” A thought of liberation developed within her. “I want a divorce,” she stated unexpectedly.

Virgil understood her anger, yet hearing her talk about divorce was the last thing he wanted to hear.

“You can’t be serious,” Virgil stated out of shock.

“Why can’t I be?”

“Because you’ve never worked a day in your life,” Virgil stated a little too sarcastically for his own taste.

“I work,” she responded. The words felt true, but after she considered Virgil’s statement, she continued, “I mean, I have an education. I have a skill and I’ll find a way to take care of myself.”

“April, think about it,” Virgil pleaded. “Starting a first job at your age…”

“What!” April snapped. “You think I’m too old to find a job?”

“I didn’t mean it that way. Times are hard out there. Most companies, mine included, seek the college grads because we can get them cheap. We both know you’re accustomed to a grander lifestyle than what the salary of a person starting out in the workforce will bring.” Suddenly, Virgil’s head lowered, as did the tone of his voice. “I suspect I’m headed for a nasty court battle.”

“It doesn’t have to be that way. Besides, I don’t want your money. Being liberated means me taking care of me. However…” She paused. “I’ll initially need your help. So, let the love you claim to have for me guide you to do the right thing by me.”

“My love for you wants you to stay. We can work out our troubles.”

“I can’t be with you right now. There is so much I need to sort out.”

“Sort it out,” Virgil pleaded. “Find yourself; just don’t divorce me…not after you’ve shown me how to be a real man.”

April’s anger lessened to the point where she could think logically. She wasn’t convinced to stay, but she’d take his words into consideration.

“I’d like to explore all of my options,” April responded. “So, why don’t you come up with an amicable solution? I promise you, I’ll contemplate both options. Let’s talk later, okay?” she suggested.

Virgil was troubled by thoughts of his precious April’s departure. The loss of her love was enough to tear his heart into pieces.

Eddie, I want half, popped into his mind.

The comedic thought relieved some emotional tension for a quick second, but the bitter reality of the thought became something greater to be concerned about. His company was successful, a Fortune 500 top one hundred. He had worked too hard, for far too many years, to simply give up half of everything, thus, he sat for hours contemplating the predicament. After much debate, he rumbled through a file box in his home office for a specific piece of paper. He joined April in her favorite spot in the bow window. She made room for him and they sat silently.

“Virgil, I’m not feeling good about myself at all,” April spoke. “I’ve broken my vows, tainted your trust in me…I know I’ll never be the same if I stay with you.”

“We can learn to trust one another again,” Virgil responded.

“I’m just not in a good place right now. I’m me, but not me,” she said. Her eyes never left the window.

Virgil watched his wife struggle with some sort of inner turmoil and realized pressuring her to rekindle their marriage would be like two positive ends of a magnet forcing each other away.

“I have a suggestion,” he stated. “Why don’t we start from the beginning?”

April’s head turned toward his. She gave him her full attention with her eyes and waited for him to continue.

“Hello, April,” Virgil said as he stood, faced her and extended his hand for a formal greeting. He concealed the other hand behind his back. “I’m Virgil Jonston, president and CEO of Innovative Solutions.”

April’s mind went back to their interview many years past.

“You studied at Penn,” Virgil continued. “You seem to be over-qualified for the position you’re applying for. Are you sure you’d like to work for I-S?”

Is he playing with me, April asked herself.

Her baffled expression wasn’t missed by Virgil. He gave her the piece of paper from behind his back. To her surprise, it was her first and only résumé.

“Seriously, honey,” Virgil said. “I have a solution that may be mutually beneficial to us. Why don’t you work for me? Like you should have years ago.”