"Job, did you get into another fight with Karen because of me?"
Job's expression froze, and for a long moment he couldn't find a word to say.
When he didn't respond, Kay stepped forward. She caught sight of Russ and faltered for a second herself.
But the very next instant, her eyes turned red, and she spoke to me in a tone that bordered on begging. "It's all my fault, Karen. I shouldn't have mentioned that I'd never seen the ocean. Then Job wouldn't have left you behind to take me to the Maldives."
"Luckily there was a huge storm today and the flight couldn't take off. Let Job stay with you tonight. I'll leave right now."
Job's face immediately flooded with concern. "Kay, you don't have to leave. This is your home. Stay as long as you want."
Normally, I would have picked a fight with him right then and there, demanding to know how he could make that decision alone when half the house was mine.
But this time, I nodded in agreement without hesitation.
"Absolutely. Russ, same goes for you. This is your home. Stay as long as you like, and don't worry about what anyone else says."
Job stared at me in disbelief. "Karen, did you just call me 'anyone else'? Have you forgotten that I'm your husband?"
Before I could even react to that, Kay pressed a hand to her chest and whimpered, "Job, it hurts."
Just like that, he forgot everything else. He scooped her up and carried her back to the bedroom.
I let out a breath of relief and hurried to wheel Russ into the bathroom.
Then I dug out Job's most expensive set of silk luxury bedding and made up the guest room bed.
Once everything was in order, I went back and waited outside the bathroom door.
Russ had sensory processing issues, and I was worried he might need help.
While I waited, Job came downstairs to get Kay's medication.
He looked at me and let out a cold laugh. "Karen, you don't have to degrade yourself fawning over some other man just to spite me."
I was about to tell him he had one hell of a nerve, but the bathroom door swung open before I could.
Job's eyes went wide. His voice pitched higher in sheer disbelief. "Karen, you actually put my pajamas on this random guy?!"
Russ, fresh out of the shower, instantly looked flustered. He pressed his lips together. "Karen, I didn't know these were your husband's clothes. I'll go change right now."
I grabbed his arm. "You're not changing anything. Your clothes are soaking wet. You're wearing those."
Then I turned on Job. "Can you stop being so petty? It's one set of pajamas. You seriously can't spare them?"
Job's chest heaved, his breathing ragged with anger. "You think this is about the pajamas? Karen, do you even remember who the man of this house is?"
Right then, Kay appeared from the bedroom.
"Job, what's going on? Why did it take you so long to get my medicine?"
She was wearing the matching couple pajamas that belonged to me and Job. On her wrist was the bracelet Job had given me for my birthday. Pinned in her hair was the Miu Miu clip I'd bought just last week.
For once, Job went silent.
He placed the medicine in Kay's hand. When she tried to get him to stay, he said, "Get some rest. I have something to take care of."
Then he grabbed my arm and pulled me into the master bedroom.
He clearly had something he wanted to say.
But I didn't want to hear it.
I kicked him away, walked out, and shut the door behind me.
Only after I'd gotten Russ completely settled did I finally go back to the bedroom.
Job had been waiting for a long time.
He sat by the window, wreathed in cigarette smoke, the ashtray in front of him overflowing with spent butts.
I frowned, walked over, and shoved the window open.
"All you ever do is smoke, smoke, smoke. Why can't you be more like Russ? He's never touched a cigarette in his life!"
