James Evers

Hungry wives

CHAPTER ONE

"I can't take much more. Something's got to change. I'm not quite sure what or how, but I got a feeling it's going to be up to me to change it."

Marge Sommers sat slumped on the edge of the large double bed, her dust rag knotted in her hand, and addressed herself to the phone on the nightstand next to her. It was the last place her husband's voice had come from, and even though it was now silently cradled, it only seemed natural to keep talking to it.

"Things just can't go on like this, Roger!"

This was an old thought. It happened every time she got one of these phone calls from her husband.

"I'm tired of waiting for you to change. I guess I'm the one that's going to have to be different… So different, you'll wake up and notice me again."

This was a new thought. It was one approach she had not yet tried, and as she spoke it aloud, it awakened a flood of determination in her that would tolerate no reversal.

"I don't know how I'm going to do it yet, but I'll change into whatever it takes to save this relationship."

This was the most important thought. Marge loved Roger, and was now determined to do anything it took to save their marriage.

Her mind made up, she slipped her gaze from the telephone to scan the half-cleaned bedroom. Change, yes! But change what? Change how? Her mind wrestled hard with each question, her eyes searching every familiar corner of the spacious room as though an answer might reveal itself in some familiar object.

"Oh shit!" she mumbled, throwing the dust rag down to the floor. "How the hell can I fix something when I don't even know what's wrong?"