Brisco Blessings

                “Lou, I did not want this to happen.  You have to believe me.  I have met someone else.  I love her deeply.  She is a beautiful person and I cannot live without her.  I want my freedom, Lou.”

                Lou was gripped by panic and begged, “Dan, you can not mean that!  You and I have had a few problems adjusting to retirement, but we have a strong marriage.  We have a mutual love and respect that cannot be destroyed by a seven-week separation.  Honey, you are just confused.  You can’t mean you have found someone else!  You just can’t throw away what we have!  You must be infatuated, that’s all.  You were lonely and you were drawn into an affair.  That breaks my heart, but I can forgive you.  We have a new home waiting for us!  We have dreamed about retirement for years!  We love each other, Dan!  We just need time to adjust to this new phase in our lives.”

                Dan listened to her panicked denial and the lump in his throat felt like it was cutting off his air supply.  He hated himself for hurting her, but he could not turn back.

                “Lou, it’s over.  I’ve cherished our time together, but I can’t live a lie.  I love Amanda.  I want a life with her.  I don’t want anything else, Lou, just her.  Your future is secure.  The new house is yours.  You can have everything.  I just want my freedom.”

                Lou’s heart was shattered but her grief was suddenly replaced by anger.  “YOU WANT NOTHING?!  YOU WANT YOUR FREEDOM?!  Well it doesn’t work like that Dan.  You may want nothing, but you are taking everything!  You are destroying your family!  You’re abandoning them in favor of a seven-week love affair.  You have TAKEN my trust, TAKEN and broken my heart, TAKEN and destroyed our future, and have the nerve to say you want nothing?  I have no life without you!   I hope she is worth it, Dan.  I despise you now!  I will never forgive you for what you have done.  When you walk out of here, you, my friend, can never come back!   If this is infatuation and you cut our ties to one another, there will be no rebuilding.  I don’t want the goddamned house!  I don’t want a secure financial future!  I want you!  I want our lives back!”

                “I’m sorry, honey.  It’s over.”

                “No, Dan, it’s not over!  On second thought, I will take the house and financial security.  I want you to have to struggle to keep this new relationship of yours harmonious.  I’m taking everything!  You want her?  Help yourself!  I sincerely hope you enjoy your freedom in poverty!”