Shopworn Dreams
Gina was so tired. She had been working six days a week just to keep the roof over their heads. Gilbert was not much help. Sure he made good money, but he gambled most of it away. There were many a day when she was ready to give up, divorce the bum and move out. But every time she started the proceedings something stopped her.
Gina was not given to self reflection, but as the holidays were approaching, she wondered what she would do. If she left Gilbert then she and the children would have an even harder time. Gina knew what her friends would say, move out, get on with your life. Still Gilbert did pay for the house and when he was feeling guilty he would stop for a few days and then they would have steak instead of beans.
What to do? What to do? Gina was so tired of asking that question. Finally one day she had enough. Gilbert came in later than usual and was smiling. That make Gina so angry she forgot her decision to never bring up the gambling.
“And what are you smiling about?”
Her tone and question startled Gilbert. That in turn startled her.
“Nothing much. I got a raise at work today and if all goes well I will be in line for a managers job soon.”
“And I suppose you will gamble all that away too!”
“Gina honey, I gamble to make more money. You know how things are in this economy, we just barely squeak by.”
“We would squeak by better if you just brought home your paycheck and we did a bit of budgeting. But no, you can't do that. You try to do everything yourself. Well, I work too and I'm tired of not having while you go playing like you have everything.”
“And what are you going to do about it?”
Here it was, the same question that always ended the conversation. Well not tonight. Tonight was different.
“I am asking you to leave. If you can't be a part of the family and part of the children, their lives and the decisions made then just leave.”
“Honey, why are you saying such things. I love you.” He started toward her, but she backed away putting her hands in front of her.
“You say you love us, but Gilbert, you are not a part of this family anymore. Either straighten up or get out.”
Gilbert stood there stunned. She realized she had never confronted him before. It felt good. No matter what happened, she was thankful that she had stood up for herself. Never again. Never again would she let someone walk all over her.
“You really mean it don't you Gina.”
“Yes.” That was her final word. She went to the bedroom, closed the door and have herself a fist up. She was finally on the right path. Her dreams were hers now, not his.
This story is the sole property of the author. It may not be copied or published without the permission of the author. This blog or blog address may be forwarded with this information included in the forwarding.
copywrite 11-2009 by Doris McCraw
Gina was not given to self reflection, but as the holidays were approaching, she wondered what she would do. If she left Gilbert then she and the children would have an even harder time. Gina knew what her friends would say, move out, get on with your life. Still Gilbert did pay for the house and when he was feeling guilty he would stop for a few days and then they would have steak instead of beans.
What to do? What to do? Gina was so tired of asking that question. Finally one day she had enough. Gilbert came in later than usual and was smiling. That make Gina so angry she forgot her decision to never bring up the gambling.
“And what are you smiling about?”
Her tone and question startled Gilbert. That in turn startled her.
“Nothing much. I got a raise at work today and if all goes well I will be in line for a managers job soon.”
“And I suppose you will gamble all that away too!”
“Gina honey, I gamble to make more money. You know how things are in this economy, we just barely squeak by.”
“We would squeak by better if you just brought home your paycheck and we did a bit of budgeting. But no, you can't do that. You try to do everything yourself. Well, I work too and I'm tired of not having while you go playing like you have everything.”
“And what are you going to do about it?”
Here it was, the same question that always ended the conversation. Well not tonight. Tonight was different.
“I am asking you to leave. If you can't be a part of the family and part of the children, their lives and the decisions made then just leave.”
“Honey, why are you saying such things. I love you.” He started toward her, but she backed away putting her hands in front of her.
“You say you love us, but Gilbert, you are not a part of this family anymore. Either straighten up or get out.”
Gilbert stood there stunned. She realized she had never confronted him before. It felt good. No matter what happened, she was thankful that she had stood up for herself. Never again. Never again would she let someone walk all over her.
“You really mean it don't you Gina.”
“Yes.” That was her final word. She went to the bedroom, closed the door and have herself a fist up. She was finally on the right path. Her dreams were hers now, not his.
This story is the sole property of the author. It may not be copied or published without the permission of the author. This blog or blog address may be forwarded with this information included in the forwarding.
copywrite 11-2009 by Doris McCraw
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