Avery and Jack’s Domestic Bliss… That’s a Wrap

the first time since this ordeal began that he showed any emotion at all. Too bad the emotion wasn’t his love for me. Or was it? I called his bluff.

“I said,” repeating myself as coolly as possible, “I’m not calling the landlord to get out of the lease.”

“But I’m not staying here,” he replied, confused.

“I know you’re not. I am”

Jack, unresponsive, blankly stared at me. I think that he might have thought that I’d had a minor stroke resulting from the previous 24-hour’s information overload. I continued my monologue.

“I realize, Jack, that you don’t want me anymore. I’m okay with that,” okay that was a lie. “But this is my home, and I love it dearly. Secondly, I’ve already paid a substantial non-refundable deposit toward to secure a mortgage. I’m moving forward with the purchase. Alone.”

Jack took a seat and remained silent. It was now my turn to determine whether he’d had a minor stroke. I have to admit, a part of me wished that—since I’d called his bluff—he’d fold. I wished that he’d tell me this had all been an elaborate (albeit twisted) game, and that we could continue on with our life together. Our domestic bliss. But, alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

“I wish you the best,” he said having lost what little emotion he’d just exhibited. My mind raced a mile a minute.

I wish you the best? Is that really all you have to say? What a jackhole. What a waste of time you’ve been, sending me to New York on some wild goose chase, with the false hope that we could rebuild what he had. What garbage. I’m glad you’re leaving. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

I’m not sure if it was the emotional stress of the death of our relationship, the mental fatigue  of my time with the good doctor, too much booze—or all of the above—but I was suddenly overcome. Naomi Campbell described it best when explaining her violent outbursts to Oprah. I stopped breathing. I saw red. My jaw clenched and my shoulders tensed. My fists tightened and—I swear it was involuntarily, officer—I punched him. I punched him right in the beezer.

I wish you the best as well, Jack.