marriage

SoCS — My Two Cents Worth

Fandango11 Comments

She sent me a letter.

I could smell her scent on the stationery. It brought back a lot of memories. Some happy. Most painful.

She had taped a penny to the paper. Beneath the taped penny she wrote, “This is what our life together was worth. One red cent.”

I guess I deserved that for the hell I put her through during our marriage.

I sent her a letter. The stationery was unscented, just like me.

I taped two pennies to the paper. Beneath the taped pennies I wrote, “Here’s my two cents worth. You got as good as you gave.”

She wasn’t the only one who went through hell during our marriage.

Written for Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt. Dan Antion is standing in for Linda this week and he has given us “cent/scent/sent,” and asked us to use them in any form we like. We can use one, two, or all three of them.

Time to Call the Lawyer

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Alex walked into his apartment to hear what sounded like chanting coming from the living room. He found his wife sitting in the corner with candles on the floor all around her. “What’s going on here, Tabitha?” Alex asked. “Is this another nonsensical screed of yours? It sounds almost like some of your brain neurons aren’t properly firing. You know, your crazy rants are beginning to wear thin on me,” Alex said to his wife.

“No, it’s not a rant or a screed,” Tabitha responded. “It’s an incantation that I read about.”

“An Incantation?” Alex said. “You mean like a spell or a curse? When did you decide to become a witch?”

“I’m not a witch,” Alex. “If you must know, this incantation is supposed to improve the relationship with someone you love. I’m desperate to save the remnants of our very broken marriage.”

“I can see consulting with a lawyer, a shrink, or even a priest, Tabitha,” Alex said, “but the casting a spell crap is just over the top, even for a crazy bitch like you.”

“You know, Alex,” Tabitha said. “You’re absolutely right. Forget about incantations and spells. It’s time to call a lawyer.”

Written for these daily prompts: Your Daily Word Prompt (screed), Ragtag Daily Prompt (neuron), The Daily Spur (wear), Word of the Day Challenge (incantation, My Vivid Blog (decide), and Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (remnant). Photo credit: iStock.

Liberated

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After his wife told Harold to pack his bags, he knew that he was going to be on his own, at least for a while. He actually didn’t mind being alone for a change. He felt that his wife was always watching him like a hawk, ready to swoop down and pounce on him if he did something or said something that she didn’t approve of.

But Harold, who believed in the sanctity of marriage, decided, despite her raffish treatment of him, to continue the pretense of the happy couple. Until, of course, she tossed him out, which served as yet another reminder of how truly unhappy he was living with her.

As it turned out, Harold was much happier living apart, and he quickly learned that being alone was more liberating than staying with her and being lonely together.

Written for these daily prompts: The Daily Spur (pack), Your Daily Word Prompt (raffish), Ragtag Daily Prompt (pretense), Word of the Day Challenge (reminder), and Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (lonely).

Love Is In the Air

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Everyone seems to be writing about love this month. I guess, because Valentine’s Day falls right in the middle of the month, and Valentine’s Day is the holiday of romance — or at least what the sellers of cards, flowers, candy, and jewelry would like you to think — a number of bloggers are writing about or expressing interests in our thoughts of love.

Rory, A Guy Called Bloke, is no exception, and he has posed six “love” questions for us to consider. So consider them I shall.

However, before I do, let me offer this caveat. Each of Rory’s questions ask “what do you think?” or “what are your views?” My views on love are that it’s highly personal and, when it comes to others, my views or what I think doesn’t matter. When it comes to love, my philosophy, as in most other things in life, is “Whatever floats your boat.”

That said…

1. Do you think that ‘background checks’ should be more commonplace between couples who are dating and or those looking to marry or live with each other?

Background checks? Seriously? How about having potential lovers give you their resumes? Sheesh. Well, I was raised in an era before you could key someone’s name into Facebook or Instagram or Twitter and get the lowdown on them before asking them out (or accepting an offer) for a date. And, personally, while I’m no longer playing the dating game, I think the thrill and mystery of learning about someone new as you get to know them beats the hell out of scrutinizing their social media sites.

2. Do you think love alone is enough to see people through everything?

Not by a long shot. It helps, but there are more practical and pragmatic considerations at play in life than just love.

3. What are your views on people getting married/living together too young – are you in total favor of that or not?

What is “too young?” I guess I’d say that if you’re old enough to vote and to drink alcohol, you’re old enough to live together if you choose to do so. Marriage, which in my opinion is optional, can wait until you’re older and more mature.

4. What do you think about people not getting to know their partners well enough – is it something that should be looked at more closely while you live apart or something that can be worked on when you are under the same roof together?

I think that it’s up to the couple involved, but I personally believe it’s important to live together under the same roof for at least a year, maybe two, before getting married.

5. What are your views on couples who are teenage sweethearts and simply wish to get married and yet they have never sampled anything else of life, they have never had other partners and the list goes on … but they are willing to sacrifice their life for living with one person only believing they are the right person for them?

First of all, I am not sure I’d say that teenage sweethearts who get married without having sampled anything else of life or having had other partners are “sacrificing their lives.” I know it wouldn’t have worked for me, but I didn’t meet my wife until I was 30 and we lived together for two years before we got married. Bottom line, I think it all depends on the individuals involved.

6. Finally, which is the best love? The one we think is right, the love that finds you by chance, or the love we source out with intention?

The “best love” is the one that is right for you when you are ready to give and receive it, regardless of how it comes about. In other words, the best love is the one that comes along at the right time.

The Happy Couple

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“I’ve got a bone to pick with you,” Harriet said to her husband.

“What’s new?” Dick said. “You always find something to criticize me about. What petty little thing is it this time?”

“This is not some inconsequential gripe,” Harriet said. “Frankly, Dick, I think our marriage is going down the drain.

“Yeah, well you’re no prize yourself, Harriet,” Dick said, emphatically.

“Fine,” Harriet said, throwing her arms into the air in a gesture of resignation. “Then let’s go to the bedroom and screw our brains out. That’s about the only thing you’re actually good for, you know.”

Written for these daily prompts: The Daily Spur (bone), Your Daily Word Prompt (inconsequential), Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (drain), Ragtag Daily Prompt (prize), and Word of the Day Challenge (emphatic). There are only five words prompts today as Sue has ended her several months of giving us her Jibber Jabber word prompts for inspiration.