It was the second fall of their marriage. A coolness swept over the area along with red, orange and gold leaves from nearby trees which lined their street. They lived in a one room walk up apartment just outside of Washington, D.C. close to the law center. It was over a half hour from her work and a little further from his law school.
It was one of the few affordable apartments in their price range. $167 per month including utilities. The Pepto-Bismol sink and stove were the only challenge. Katie was determined to make it cheery - orange, apple green and a slight hint of pink. Very 1970s. They added a burnt orange area carpet purchased at a nearby tent sale.
Henry, a law student seemed cute, sweet and focused. Early on, it was evident he cared more about his career than their
marriage. He was rarely available to her, always studying. Often when they had plans with others, he would cancel the plans at the last minute.
"I need to study," he would say with no remorse.
He always came first.
She just wanted a loving family. A place to belong, a nice job and later on, a university education and graduate school. They both wanted to buy a home as soon as possible. Even when they decided to cut costs and eat Hormel Chili for a
week, she was the only one who got sick. She didn't think about it at
the time. I mean why would she suspect her husband of trying to make
her sick. For days, she was ill at both ends. Her physician tested her
for salmonella which was negative.
Then it was the death threat at their front door. She thought it had to be placed there by the physician for whom she was testifying against in administrative law court. It was lots of little things over the years. She wondered if he sabotaged her relationships with friends. Then there was the l-shaped piece of metal jeri-rigged in the wheel well of her Camry that nearly burst her tire.
Only when she filed for divorce did the truth right itself.
"I wished you were dead," he said.
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