James laid on his bed eyes wide, but it was clear that his mind was not there. Staring at the ceiling fan as it oscillated. It was like he was In a trans.
"Jamie" a soft feminine voice called. There was no response
"JAMIE" she shouted this time, snapping him out from his trans.
"what are you thinking about?"
"Nothing dear." he said to her.
"Are you sure?"
"I am."
She silently looked at him for a while, before letting out a sigh.
"Remember I am your wife, and there's nothing you can't tell me." She said
"Anyway, breakfast is ready." she continued.
"I'll be there in a minute. I just need to use the toilet."
He stood up from the bed and headed towards the toilet, while she headed back downstairs to set the table for dinner.
The truth was he was actually thinking of something. He just didn't know how to tell her. He wasn't sure how she'd react to the news that he'd lost his job. They've been married for just under a year and everything had been fine, other than the fact that they were yet to have a child their marriage had been perfect. And now he was going to put pressure on them by losing his source of income. His wife had a small pharmacy, but her earnings wouldn't be able to hold them down for long. He'd seen so many families crumble once their source of income was no more and he didn't want to be like that. He had been dreaming of a beautiful future for both of them since their marriage. But this sack letter or "retrenchment" as they called it, was getting in the way of those dreams.
He eased himself and headed downstairs to have dinner.
"Perhaps I will tell her after breakfast." He thought to himself.
He went downstairs to meet a wonderfully set table with his favorite breakfast, bacon and eggs. He and his wife ate to their satisfaction, and afterwards he helped clear the plates.
While they were in the kitchen Mary noticed her husband fidgeting
"what's wrong dear" she asked
"Oh nothing. Why do you ask?"
"Just noticed you're a bit uneasy, is there anything you'd like to tell me.?" she asked
"No nothing." he replied
"Good then, how do you plan on spending your Saturday?" she said as she put the plates in the dishwasher and began pressing some buttons.
"Oh I don't know, do some reading, football, and of course looking at you and thinking about how I'm the luckiest man in the world."
"Oh, stop it" - She blushed - "First Saturday you're not doing any work stuff. Hope everything is ok."
"uhmm" —he said nervously as he scratched his head unconsciously— "I've been meaning to tell you that I lost my—"
"I know." —she interrupted him.— "I saw the letter as I was about to do the laundry."
He sighed
"So you knew all this time? And you didn't tell me."
"Well, I asked you if all was well, and you lied to me." she said
"point taken" he said.
He let out another sigh
"No need to worry" she said
"What do you mean, no need to worry Mary, I lost my job."
"I saw a new job opening and I've already sent in an application for you. I'm almost certain you'd get it."
Tears began to flow from his eyes
"I love you Mary," he said as he hugged her tightly.
"I love you too. But never hide anything from me again."
"I won't." he affirmed.
A few weeks later James resumed work in a higher position than he had previously been.
