A Cold Wife, Sweet Husband

As much as Leo tried to break out of his foul mood, he couldn't do it. The fact that his wife didn't care for him at all was depressing, and the fact that she was so repulsed by the thought of m.a.k.i.n.g. .l.o.v.e to him was infuriating. He thought she had enjoyed the kiss they shared in the gazebo. Perhaps I misunderstood her reaction to it.

After he left the church service, which he noticed she didn't bother going to because he was there, he went to his office at work. Since he had a key to the building, he was able to go in. He hadn't eaten breakfast or lunch, and it was quickly coming up to the dinner hour. He didn't care. He had lost his appetite at her cold words to him that morning.

He wondered if he would ever have the appetite to eat again. He spent his time buried in his work and was finally able to lose track of the time...and the beating of his breaking heart. He accomplished more than he thought he would.

He was surprised that misery could encourage such productivity. He figured he was well ahead of schedule, but what would he do with his free time? He glanced at the picture of his parents who sat on his desk. He had hoped to put Jessica's picture next to it. He put his head on the desk.

Why couldn't he forget her? ―If this is your idea of romance, you have a lot to learn. He recognized his uncle's voice. He didn't bother to lift his head. He heard his uncle pull up a seat across from him and sit down.

―What did she say that sent you running to work on a Sunday? Jonathan wondered. ―I saw you moping in church and whining to everyone who'd listen that your marriage is doomed for an annulment in a month, though you did a good job of hiding the fact that it was her decision.―It wasn't that bad. I maintained myself with the usual calm and cool expression that you taught me to use when facing difficult clients.

―You're thinking of a different Leo because the one I saw had his heart on his sleeve.―Only because you notice details.

―That must be it. His uncle was silent for a few moments. Finally, he continued, ―There's nothing wrong with loving a woman, but if you hope to keep the woman you love, you'll have to put forth the effort. You can't hide out here and expect things to fall into place. Sometimes you have to pray to God and say amen with a hoe. Leo was familiar with the expression since his uncle used it often enough. It meant that once he prayed for something, he had to do the work to make it happen.