She’s hated these evenings all along
Sometimes men are dim,
don’t see the closest thing
happening around them.
Like that time Ron’s wife cheated on him
with his best friend
and he didn’t know until that sorrowful day
when he came home early from a business trip
to find them hanging curtains together in the bedroom.
Like that time I surprised my girlfriend,
showing up at her school unannounced during finals
to give her a break from studying,
and she surprised me by sending me away
because she had plans to spend the day
with another guy.
Like recently with me organizing
these quiet romantic evenings at home,
(I thought women liked romance, silly me)
just the two of us, dinner
in the dining room by candlelight and soft music,
and just finding out that
she’s hated these evenings all along.
I can’t help but wonder what else I do
that she can’t stand
so I can stop it before
she runs off again with another man.
* Mike Estabrook lives in New England and is a regular IS&T contributor.
