Quit Now! You Promised Me You’d Resign!

Give it up! You promised youd quit!
James, have you lost your mind?Emma asked, pulling herself together.Who turns down a post like that? Do you even know the salary?

Its all about the money,James snapped, disdainful.Or has power gone to your head?

Readers usually groan at scenes where the heroine weeps over a cup of cold tea. But what can you do when she doesnt drink coffee and the first meeting is set over a steaming mug of unfortunate tea? You could swap the tea for a glass of squash, orange juice or even milk, but the melodrama wouldnt lighten a bit.

Emma was perched in a plush armchair, but not comfortablyshe was perched on the edge, head bowed over that nowlukewarm tea. Her thoughts were heavy, the situation seemed hopeless. One thing soothed her: her son didnt see any of it. A monthlong summer camp had whisked the kid away, promising to return happy and wellfed.

The camp contributed indirectly to her worries, but the real cause was Jamesher husband. The word was is useful; it leaves you guessing whether hes still her husband or just a past one. Its a bit of a Schrödingers husband scenario that Emma cant stop puzzling over.

The final line James uttered before slamming the door was:

Thats it! I dont want to see you again! Youve ruined my whole life! Im leaving!

It sounds clear enough, but the details are fuzzy. Did he leave for a while or forever? If only for a while, when would he be backby nightfall or in a few days? If forever, why didnt he pack? No clarifying answers came.

If you rewind to the scandal that kicked off Jamess departure, the blame lands squarely on that summer camp Oliver attended. Emma had paid for it out of her bonus, not even spending the whole sum. James howled about the huge expense without him.

To throw £500 out of the family budget doesnt take a genius! But you should have discussed it first! Maybe we have other, more pressing needs?

Emma, shrugging, replied:

The moneys there! If we need something, lets just buy it!

James stormed out, shouting everything he could. Hearing that from her spouse was both strange and hurtful. Fourteen years of marriage crackled under his words.

The worst part was that Emma truly hadnt done anything wrong, at least in her mind. In Jamess eyes she was the worst wife ever.

If you loved me, you wouldnt stick your nose where it doesnt belong! Sit quietly and enjoy life! Instead you always want to jump higher than everyone else!

Did you ever think about me? You only think about yourself! If you cared about our family, youd be the model housewife, working silently and keeping the home running!

Emma couldnt see what shed done wrong. She lived, worked, kept the house tidy, raised Oliver, and gave James affection. She asked him straight up, only to be met with more shouting, accusations, and demands.

What? Why? For what?Emma asked, the tea cooling further.And if this money has been sitting there for ages, why spill it now? Why bring the camp into this?

—

Commercial real estate that turns into office blocks is a nightmare for any visitor. Without a map or a compass youll never find the right department. The workers, however, get used to the buildings layout; eventually they know every useful nook and cranny. A real anthill of offices, you could say.

That anthill is where Emma and James first met. Both were sales reps on the street, the sort of job where you get a phone, a cold list of leads, and a quota to chase. By the time they met, theyd proven themselves enough to stay on staff, but the pressure and constant nerves made them escape to the park during lunch.

They worked for different firms, and if the park hadnt existed, perhaps fate would never have tangled their paths. When two people share the same woes and can finish each others angry sentences, a bond forms. There was a spark, and their brief marriage, though short, felt inevitable.

They decided not to rush into children. Emma owned a flat inherited from her grandmother; she wanted it to be more than just a roof, but that required work. Youth insists on living in the moment, yet the young couple wanted to give each other their all. Evenings were spent swapping work wins and blunders.

After three years together, a crossroads appeared.

Ive been offered a promotion,Emma announced,and Im pregnant.

Wow, you! Thats brilliant!James exclaimed.

What about you? What made you happy?Emma teased.

The baby, of course!James replied.The promotion you just got wont disappear, but the baby does need to be born!

Emma only later realised the irony: James hadnt actually gotten any promotion at that point; hed chosen a baby over a raise. While Emma was on maternity leave, the whole financial burden fell on James, meaning he had to push harder at work. A managers base salary is modest; the real money comes from commission. He did his best, but promotion still eluded him.

When Emma returned, the same promotion was on the tableone she had turned down because of the pregnancy. Since then a subtle nervousness lingered in the household. Emma blamed it on jealousy over Oliver, and James started staying later at the office.

Both got promoted at the same time: James became a senior manager, Emma a department head. James was stingy with congratulations but generous with thanks. Thats when he began pushing the idea that Emma should spend more time at home.

Soon Ill be heading my own department,he said.Why should you waste your days in dusty offices? You know its better for you to look after the house and the child! Ill provide for us!

James, I cant quit now that Ive just been promoted,Emma protested.People trust me, they rely on me! I cant let them down.

So work matters more than family?He asked.

That was an awkward question. Everything mattered to Emma; she was managing home, child, and job just fine.

Heres my plan: Ill finish my current tasks, then Ill shut down the division and quit,Emma offered.

James agreed, unaware of what Emmas superiors had in store. For Emma, it was a test to see if she could hand over a branch.

She was stunned when the CEO dropped a promotion letter on her desk, complete with flowers and congratulations.

I didnt even ask!Emma stammered. He just showed up, handed me the order, and I couldnt even say a word!

Turn it down!James barked.Come back on Monday and refuse it! You promised youd quit!

James, are you out of your mind?Emma asked, gathering herself.Who quits a role like that? Do you know the salary?

We could finally remodel the house, buy a new car, send Oliver to a good school!

We could finally take a holiday without pinching pennies for three years!

Its all about the money,James retorted dismissively.Or has power gone to your head?

I think about the family first,Emma replied.I manage work, the home, everything. The house is spotless, meals are ready, I always find time for you!

James stopped grousing when Emma bought a car herself and handed him the keys. Everything fell back into place; the weather at home brightened again. They renovated, sent Oliver to a decent school, and managed two vacations a year.

Then another problem surfaced.

We need a second car,Emma said.Im starting to miss driving the first one.

What, am I no longer fit to be your driver?

Im being transferred to the head office,Emma replied,right in the city centre. If you keep driving me there, youll be stuck in endless traffic.

Right,James sighed,so we really have to move?

Weve been through that before,Emma reminded.And as long as the boss is interested in you, you should take everything they throw at you!

Soon the younger, eager staff will replace us. By then we need to have saved enough not to regret missed opportunities.

Yes, yesJames muttered.

And then the summer camp reappeared in the conversation. Only £500. Emma thought it would be a great experience and a health boost for Oliver, so she transferred the money without a second thought. It wasnt even half of her bonus!

Only over a cup of cooling tea did the thoughts finally line up.

Envy!Emma exclaimed, a revelation.Its just plain old envy! James never left his seniormanager post!

£500 is more than half of Jamess monthly wage, and for Emma, well, its clear. It isnt just about money; James has barely moved up a rung in fifteen years. Emma recalled how he insisted she quit and become a housewife, never to outshine him.

When the rift seemed unbridgeable, James snapped for a reason that made things worse. From the heavy thoughts, a metallic click in the lock soundedonly James could have done that. Emma leaned back, striking a languid pose.

Im back,James said, entering the room.

For your belongings?Emma asked.

He gave her a contemptuous glance.

Im back home! Home!

No!Emma smirked.Youre back for the stuff! I dont want to live with you any longer!

Fine, sorry,he muttered, heading for the sofa.

No, I wont forgive you!Emma replied sharply.Im not going to forgive you. You said everything already! Ive made my decision! I dont need a husband who cant achieve anything, and Im not to blame for you earning less than me! Im not to blame for the accusations you threw at me! I managed work, the house, Oliver, and still gave you attention! After work youre just exhausted! You probably treated your job the same way! Anyway, it doesnt matter now! Pack your things and leave!

Feel like youve finally found yourself?James shouted.Everyone knows how you earned your promotions! Youre a boss, too!

Too bad the tea had long gone cold; the impact wouldve been greater. James simply wiped his face.

Over the next fresh cup of tea, Emma realised that from the very start James had a competitive spirit, always trying to outdo his wife. The bigger the gap, the more it ate away at his affection. Whether love ever existed, Emma would ponder over another cupthough perhaps she shouldnt wait for the tea to cool; its meant to be drunk hot!