The Grace of Leaving

We were married for six years, yet not once did she remember my birthday.

However, she had only known Joshua for a month.

I thought about what she wrote in her book, how every single day with me was just suffering and sadness.

My last bit of hope disappeared, leaving me feeling nothing but tired.

Solemnly, I said, "I really want a divorce.

"Shirley, let's let each other go."

…

That night, Shirley did not come back home. She went to stay at the dorm in the factory, a place meant for people without families.

I did not try to find her. Instead, I found myself thinking about the true worth of my position.

Soon, everyone at work knew about it.

They looked at me with mockery and pity in their eyes.

"Have you heard? Max is leaving."

"It's probably because Ms. Scott and Mr. Harris are going to be together soon."

"He's smart enough to know he's just a simple country guy."

Shirley never talked about us, so everyone thought I was just a relative from the countryside who came to her for help.

I wanted to tell the truth many times, but I did not want to mess up Shirley's chances to get ahead.

So, when I heard their gossip, I smiled and said, "Yes, I'm over chasing things out of my league. The city's boring. I'm happier in the country."

They did not know I was not giving up. I was only choosing a different path.

In my previous life, I worked super hard to learn things so I could talk to Shirley.

I got into college and even got a graduate degree.

However, even as an engineer, she still saw me as a simple country bumpkin who only cared about small things.

She would rather talk to the silent parrot at home than have a real conversation with me.

This time, I would live for myself.

I planned to wait until everything was settled and the money was in hand before I went to Shirley to finalize things so we could both move on for good.

However, an urgent message turned my whole world upside down.

[Your mom's really sick. She broke her leg. She needs 5,000 bucks. Fast.]

I felt ice-cold all over.

I could get 8,000 bucks, but the paperwork would take time, at least half a month.

My mom could not wait that long!

Right then, I saw Shirley leaving work. I did not think twice. I ran up to her and blocked her path.

"Shirley, I need 5,000 dollars. It's an emergency!"

Everyone around us started staring, wondering what was going on.

Shirley's smile disappeared. "Where would I get that much money?"

However, she had to have it.

Out of my 1,200-dollar paycheck each month, I only kept 300 for myself and gave the rest to her.

Even if she spent a lot, there was no way she did not have 5,000 dollars!

I was desperate, my voice shaking as I said, "My mom's hurt; her leg's broken. She's in the hospital and needs the money to get better!

"I really need it! All these years, I've given most of my salary to you. How can all of it be gone?"

Shirley frowned, and the looks from the others made her cheeks turn red.

She whispered harshly, annoyed, "Max, enough drama, okay? I told you, I don't have it!"

I kept staring at her, feeling more and more hopeless. "I gave you 900 bucks a month for six whole years! How can you not have 5,000?"

Shirley, looking annoyed, said firmly, "Think about how much you've spent, how much you've used. Don't you remember?"

The others started laughing and teasing me, saying, "Look at him, living off Shirley and now asking for 5,000 bucks! Shameless!"

"I bet Mr. Harris got to him, and now he's just causing trouble!"