З життя
She Thought Her Husband Had a Big Appetite—Turns Out It Was His Sister Stealing Food from the Fridge
12th March
I stood in front of the open fridge today, rubbing my temples, absolutely baffled. Once again, all the food had disappeared. Id only just prepared itwhere on earth had it gone? I used to think it was just Simons hearty appetite, but now, Im not so sure. Talking to him about it was a waste of breath, always ending in an argument, and it irritates me even more that hes been lounging at home for two months now, still looking for work. Meanwhile, Im working just to keep the kitchen stockedstocked for what? Everything vanishes in the blink of an eye. Ive gotten rather used to nibbling on toast and sipping weak, watery tea just so we can stretch what little we have. After my shift, I barely have the energy to cook, but Simon acts as if Im eating out every night.
Tomorrow, Im off to Mums. Weve got to help Daniel, Simon shouted from the lounge, as if I should be grateful.
Frankly, I couldnt care less; I felt dreadful. I woke up this morning running a fever and decided to call in sick. Took some paracetamol and crawled back into bed.
I must have dozed off, only to be woken by a racket coming from the kitchensomeone was banging pot lids about and repeatedly opening the fridge. The noise didnt stop, and soon there was off-key humming too. Pushing myself up, I stumbled down the hall.
Hazel. Simons sister, who I rarely speak to, stood there, raiding our fridge. Shes always believed her brother should look after not just his own wife, but her family too. Our already tight budget only got tighter whenever he helped her out. Hazel calmly packed away the groceries Id scraped together into her own plastic containers.
Well, hello, I said dryly.
She nearly jumped out of her skin. Why arent you at work?
Im ill. Does Simon know youre here going through our food?
He left me a key.
So it turns out youre the one with sticky fingers, not Simon with an endless appetite.
She glared at me. Hes my brother. Of course Im taking some food for my boys.
And yet your brother isnt working and hasnt bought a thing in weeks. Funny, I dont recall volunteering to feed two families.
Oh, you just dont understand. I cant do it on my own. Am I meant to grovel for a couple of sausages now?
Hand me back those keys, Hazel, or Ill have to call the police. You seem to be forgetting Simons name isnt on this flat.
Youre really calling the police over a bit of cheap sausage? Unbelievable! Here, take your precious key, you stingy thing! Ill tell Simon what a treat hes married.
Go right aheadIm sure hell have another wife lined up soon enough.
And just like that, the tears came. I realised all along, theyd played me for a fool. No one would ever believe Simons own sister was pinching our food and clearing out our fridge. The worst part? Simon knew and let me think it was all him and his so-called wolfish hunger.
I shouldnt have been surprised, really. His mother was much the same. Any of them could pop round, help themselves, and never ask. After pacing my tiny flat in circles, I finally picked up the phone and rang Simon, telling him Id had enough and was filing for divorce.
Cant we talk? Dont shut me out. Lets sort this out face to face, Simon begged, but my mind was clear.
No, Simon. Theres nothing left to discuss. I see everything perfectly now.
People like them never change, and Id only wasted my best years pretending otherwise. At that moment, Simon felt utterly foreign to me. Deep down, I suppose I should have put a stop to all this much sooner.
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