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My Work or a Divorce
I had to choose either her or my purpose
I’ll always have those visual echoes of her — this person of whom I was supposed to be able trust and who understood me. She was who I married and hoped I could have a long and enjoyable life together.
Yet, there she was, not even ten feet away — yelling at me. I was sitting in my Ikea chair with the peaceful wooded backyard view out the large windows— my preferred spot to sit and write. She had grown angry and it was showing.
Then in a moment of pure vile, she screamed three words that said it all.
“You’re a handyman!!”
— Her
Let’s “Tarantino” this a bit
As I explained in this article, I had my own business for 15 years. I would go out almost daily and fix things for people. My main customers were commercial modular companies, so my job was wide spread and quite diverse.
I remember that I had been out all day as usual. I was also getting the house ready to sell. We were in the “living together but separated” stage of the divorce. So it was common for me to take the time I needed to breath a little.
As I recall, moments before the viscous tongue lashing, I had asked when she had actually filed for divorce. I was just…