Exceptional The continuing story of a marriage in trouble. Anatomy of a Marriage : Anatomy of a Marriage Ch 13 by BethShelby

Marsha had already decided she wasn’t going to ask anyone to let Trenton leave the rehab early. She was starting to realize that she was capable of dealing with the children’s problems on her own. Trenton had never been that much help with them anyway. Latisha took care of most of the housework and cooking and the children loved her, so things weren’t going too badly with him away.  She had told Trenton she would contact the firm and find out what their thinking was on whether or not he should leave early, but she was still wondering if there was any reason to call them at all. The answer came the next time the phone rang. It was a call from the firm. “Marsha, Bill Cunningham here. I understand you went to the rehab center and were able to see Trenton yesterday. I wanted to touch base with you and get your impression as to how this is working out for him. I hope you have some good news.” “Yes, Bill. He seemed to be in good spirits. They say the alcohol is out of his system, and he’ll be attending all the AA meetings they recommend, when he comes home. Of course, he is anxious to get back to work, but I think it is wise he should stay until he completes the program. Are those your thoughts as well?" “Certainly. I thought we made that clear to him that if he expected to come back to the firm in good standing, he would need to stay the full six weeks. We will also have to monitor his progress and make certain he is attending the required meetings. It is good to know everything is on track. I’ll bet he was happy to see you, wasn’t he?” “Yes, he appeared to be glad I was there.” “Well, he is lucky to have you on his side. If you talk to him again, tell him we’re thinking about him, and we know he won’t be sorry he did this. I hear that they have some real success stories over at the center. We’ll be talking to you again. Goodbye for now.” When Marsha hung up she was relieved to know the firm was against Trenton leaving early and glad she hadn’t mentioned that Trenton was pushing her to lie and say she couldn’t handle things at home without him. She decided to give it another day and make a list of all the things she planned to bring up before she tried to call Trenton. She didn’t get the opportunity to make her list. Later the same afternoon, she got a call from Trenton. “Hey Babe, I may have to hang up. I’m not supposed to be using this phone, but I didn’t know if they were going to let you talk to me. Did you talk to the firm and tell them you need to have me home?” “I did talk to the firm and they made it very clear if you leave before completing the program you won’t be able to come back there.” “Damn it! Who did you talk to? Someone there has got it in for me. Someone turned me in for having liquor at work. I wasn’t drinking at work. I have everything under control. No one can even tell when I’ve had something to drink. One of their top clients claimed I stood him up, and he went with another firm. That is the reason they are doing this to me. My secretary didn’t even have him on my schedule. It wasn’t my fault. I don’t drink any more than the rest of them. We have to entertain clients. I can’t go telling clients I’m an alcoholic and have to drink sodas. That would be so embarrassing.” "You asked who I talked to. It was Bill. He’s the senior partner, so he makes the decisions. You’re going to have to complete the program if you value your job. Besides that, there are other things you and I have to discuss before you come home again. You’ve been lying to me. When they sent me your check, I realized you’d lied about how much money you make. I need to know where all that money was going.” “Marsha, I was going to surprise you. When I got that raise, there was this investment opportunity that would have tripled the money if it had panned out. Unfortunately, it fell through, and I lost most of it. It looked good on paper, and I trusted the guy. If it had worked out, we could have paid off the house, and everything else. I was planning to tell you.” “So now you’re gambling with risky investments? This is supposed to make me feel better? Then there was this woman who called a few days after you went to the center. She acted as if it was life and death and that she must get in touch with you immediately. She refused to give me her name. What do you think that was all about?” “Oh, I know who that probably was. This crazy old lady. She acts like that. She is a client, and it’s like the world is ending every time she calls. She’s got money running out her ears, but she’s a pain in the ass.” “Trenton, there is so much more. How do I know you aren’t lying to me? You lied to me about being out with the other partners till four in the morning having business meetings in bars. I found out the bars aren’t even open past 1:00 a.m. You haven’t come up with a story to explain that one away. I’ve cried myself to sleep many nights worried sick about you. What’s happened to us? We used to be so happy, or was I living in a dream world and just too naïve to know something was wrong?” “Marsha, I’ve got to go. Someone is coming. I’m not supposed to be in this office. I’ll try to call you again and we’ll talk more. I can explain all of that. I love you, Bye.” Marsha hung up, and sat staring into space. He is such a liar. I can’t believe anything he says. I wish I could. It would be easier to live in a fool’s paradise, and keep believing I have the perfect marriage. I’ve been so naïve, and I wish I still was. She was surprised to realize she actually dreaded Trenton coming home. What if he decides to walk away without completing the program? That means he’ll lose his job. His salary will end. He might get on with another firm, but certainly not with a partnership right away. We won’t be able to afford this house or a maid. Latishia would have to go, as well. What if Trenton is no longer in my life? How could the kids and I manage? I’d need to get a job. I only taught one year. Surely with a college degree, I could find something. So many problems. Once again, the idea of contacting an attorney occurred to her. She wasn’t ready to file for divorce. The idea of being divorced made her ill. She could almost hear her mother saying, “You’ll disgrace our family. Marriage is for better or for worse. You and Trenton need to work out your problems.” Good old Mom wasn’t someone to discuss this with. A lawyer could tell her what her rights were if they weren’t together. They’d been married almost twenty years. Surely being together so long entitled her to something. It was important to get answers before Trenton called again. Recognized Author Notes Trenton is a partner in a law firm, He is presently in a rehab facility for Alcoholics after and intervention by his firm. He and Marsha have four teenage children. She has reason to believe he is cheating on her. She had just seen him after his first three weeks in treatment..

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