Sarah’s tone was, well, caustic. She’d had it with Ted’s focus on his job to the exclusion of his wife and children. She couldn’t let it roll off her back anymore. “Dammit, Ted,” she said, “I know this sounds like a cliché, but you need to endeavor to find a balance between work and family. You’re constantly working, even when you’re home. It’s like the kids and I don’t exist and that must stop. I know you don’t like it when I bring this up, Ted, but you’re absent and the kids and I need a husband and a father who is present. So it’s your choice. Do you want a more serene life spent with family? Or do you want to work yourself to death? If it’s the latter, let me know. I’ll take the kids and move back in with my parents. That way you can totally devote yourself to your job.”
Ted didn’t say anything. He just looked blankly at his wife.
Sarah’s eyes welled up. “Your silence speaks volumes. The kids and I will be out of the house by the time you get home from work tonight.”
Written for Greg’s Five Word Weekly Challenge, where the words are:
This, That, and the Other 
Love the line I need a husband and father. Very well said.
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It was his loss.
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Too often a true story. Nicely written.
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Thanks.
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I’d have done the same. Maybe her leaving will wake him up.
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Nicely done Fandango
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Do you think that Sarah is right that Ted needs to find a balance between work and family? Is it really about him wanting a more serene life spent with family or does he want to work himself to death?
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Good question. What do you think?
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A sad but all too often true story Fandango. Someone commented above that it was his loss but I suspect everyone loses.
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I agree. No winners.
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Too often true.
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