How She Got Equality In Her Marriage

In tears, Serita Hudson poured her heart out to Dorrina, her best friend, at their child’s PTA meeting.

“I can’t take it anymore, Dorrina. I am talking with a divorce lawyer now.”

Dorrina quickly squeezed her hand and whispered as another parent took the seat in front of her, “You can’t do it,” she pleaded.

“Stephen thinks because I am at home all day I should do everything, and when he comes home from work I should attend to him too,” she whispered in Dorrina’s left ear. “I don’t even get a break on the weekends. He said the weekend is my time to serve him. The children go to their grandparents, so I should serve him on the weekends.”

“Damn,” Dorrina’s anger exploded.

“He complains that I spend his money too,” Serita whispered.

Dorrina’s anger shifted, pushing fear into Serita’s eyes. Seeing her fear, Dorrina squeezed her hand tighter and whispered, “Make your marriage a threat.”

“What!” Serita almost shouted.

“Do something that threatens your marriage and force him to respect you?” Dorrina advise.

“Any suggestions?” Serita asked.

“You have a Master’s Degree in business management. Start using it again!”

Two weeks later, Serita was employed at Terra Nova Industries. A Fortune 500 conglomerate. It happened to be Stephen’s Company, a competitor. They fought because she decided to go back to work. Six months after she finished her master’s, she got pregnant with their first child. He demanded that she stay home until Stephen Junior turned four. Three months before his fourth birthday, Serita found out that she was pregnant again. Stephen used needles to pierce the condom after demanding that she not take birth control if she was going to breastfeed. Stephanie, their daughter, is now two years old.

Raising two children under seven is no small feat, even with a helper who comes in twice a week. As a devoted mother who wants to be there for her children, she puts her needs and life aside and focuses on them. It was getting harder for her to function. She needed a break.

She decided to take Dorrina’s advice, and her parents stepped in to help pick the children up from school and day care.

Stephen began having problems at work when his Company found out that in every area he lost in negotiations, he lost to a woman. She happened to be his wife.

They replaced him in that area, and Serita’s Company kept taking away the contracts as she was the head negotiator.

At home, Stephen attitude towards her changed. He stopped issuing orders to her. He began helping in the home and with the children. He headed straight home from work and picked up the children from her mother. He ensured his son finished his homework and helped if he needed it. Then he cooked, and both children helped. When Serita got home, all three of them took care of her. Then she rested as they all cleaned up.

Weekends became family time for enjoyment, as Stephen helped with everything around the house and with the children.

One night in bed, her curiosity demanded, “You have changed; I like it, but why?”

He smiled, muted the TV, sat up in bed, and shared, “You are amazing. In every area you are thrown, you do your best. I wasn’t aware you were so amazing. I can’t afford to lose you.”

Serita stared at him, sat up, then burst out laughing.

“Thank you is a better word,” he said, grinning too.

“For the first time in your life, you faced competition, and it’s from a female,” she said.

“And she turns out to be my wife,” he replied, still grinning.

Silence spoke briefly, then he elaborated, “Your change threatens our marriage, and I realized I can’t afford to lose you. If all I do makes you happy, I am happy.”

“I am not quitting my job!”

“I don’t want you to,” he said.

“Using psychology won’t work either,” she informed him, reading the fear in his eyes.

“Damn, is there anything you can’t see?” he asked.

“All I want is equality,” she negotiated.

“You got it!” he vowed.

Sometimes, humans think they can get away with everything they do, but when their wealth, health, relationships, friendships, life, or whatever they think they are winning at is threatened, their lives are at stake. Sensible humans do the right thing, and both parties win.

What threatened your life lately?

Thnak you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoyed it.